Title

The Marquesas Keys

Description

An aerial view of the Marquesas Keys.

Don Lope Díez de Armendáriz, the Marquis of Cadereita was in overall command of the 1622 ships and made the final decision as to when to sail. After disaster struck the fleet, he oversaw the early salvage of the sunken ships.

Today’s Marquesas Keys, 20 miles west of Key West, Florida are named in his honor, as recognition of his having established a salvage camp on the islands. In 1635, he was appointed Viceroy of Nueva España (Mexico).

Source: Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. Photograph by Don Kincaid.