The Manila Galleon trade- question

How long did it usually take for a ship to make the Manila-Acapulco run?

It usually took three to four months for Acapulco to Manila, and four to six months for the way back (as they needed to use a more Northern route from Philippines to Mexico).
 
It usually took three to four months for Acapulco to Manila, and four to six months for the way back (as they needed to use a more Northern route from Philippines to Mexico).

Thanks. In a story I'm writing an Indian maritime hegemon in SE Asia is trying to make diplomatic conquest with Mexico so I needed some details. I'm assuming that they made stops along the way to take on water and food or did the galleons carry enough for the entire passage? I can see that bulk cargo shipping might have been a problem but the Indians will be bringing spice and other relatively compact trade goods much as OTLs Spaniards did so that shouldn't be too much of an issue.
 
Thanks. In a story I'm writing an Indian maritime hegemon in SE Asia is trying to make diplomatic conquest with Mexico so I needed some details. I'm assuming that they made stops along the way to take on water and food or did the galleons carry enough for the entire passage? I can see that bulk cargo shipping might have been a problem but the Indians will be bringing spice and other relatively compact trade goods much as OTLs Spaniards did so that shouldn't be too much of an issue.

They used to stop in Guam during the journey from Acapulco to Manila. But during the travel back to Mexico, due to the more Northern route, once they left Philippines it used to be a non-stop crossing of the Pacific Ocean. However, you could make the Indian making a stopover in Japan before doing the crossing, something the Spanish couldn't do.
 
Actually, OTL Luzon was a refugia of the Sri-Vijayan nobles just like Bali was to Majapahit because it was backwater to the Asian powers and only Manila was the really known port there.

What was not backwater in the OTL Philippines was Sulu, I think the Indian power could get Sulu and OTL Southern Philippines, because Sulu was an important rich trading center.
 
Top