The Accidental Empire — Figure 1

The Silver Hunt

An anatomical mapping of Spanish treasure fleet routes (Carrera de Indias) and major English privateering intercepts during the Elizabethan Golden Era, 1560–1600.

Active Window

1560 – 1600

Elizabeth I vs. Philip II

Interactive Atlantic Theater

Click markers for operational profiles

Legend

Spanish Treasure Lane (Carrera)
English Privateer Attack (Area ∝ Value)
Imperial Hub Port

Total Plunder

£655,000

Recorded Fleet Prize

Peak Raid

£200,000

Santa Marta

Key Intercepts

6

Major Fleet Strikes

The Fleet Intercept Ledger

Click any historical strike to center the map visualizer.

Santa Marta Raid

Caribbean Waters (1585)
£200,000

Havana Raid

Gulf of Mexico Path
£150,000

Drake's Cadiz Raid

Atlantic Approach (1587)
£120,000

Hawkins intercept

Mid-Atlantic Corridor (1568)
£80,000

Cape St. Vincent

Iberian Coast Approach
£60,000

Azores Interception

Portuguese Azores Channel
£45,000
Plunder Breakdown (£)