Landmark· Amanu· French Polynesia: Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier & Australs
Amanu Spanish Cannons (San Lesmes legend)
17° 50.9′ S · 140° 51.2′ W · approximate
Sixteenth-century Spanish cannons recovered on Amanu are thought to come from the caravel San Lesmes, lost from the Loaísa expedition in 1526. If so, Spaniards reached the atoll decades before Quirós's recorded visit in 1606.
Practical
French Wikipedia says the cannons were found in 1921 on the reef drop-off and raised in 1969, while English Wikipedia says they were found in 1929. Historian Robert Langdon attributes them to the San Lesmes. Neither source says where the cannons are displayed today, so ask at the mairie before you go looking. Quirós recorded Amanu on 12 February 1606, Boenechea charted it as Las Ánimas in 1774, and Bellingshausen named it Moller in 1820. Position approximate: placed in Ikitake village between Passe Fafameru and the Point Koutu Korigo anchorage, derived from the compendium's descriptions; the exact building was not located on a map.
Best for
Pacific exploration history
Nearby
- Amanu Gendarmerie Check-inRight here
- Amanu Health Post (Poste de santé)Right here
- Amanu Mairie, Gendarmerie and ClinicRight here
- Amanu Speedboat Run to HaoRight here
- Magasin Maiaygo (Amanu)Right here
- Amanu Ice Machine and Power Station Fuel0.1 NM away
- Amanu Second Magasin (west of harbour)0.1 NM away
- Amanu Town Basin (near Fafameru Pass)0.1 NM away