SANTO ANTONIO DE TANNÁ : STORY AND RECONSTRUCTION A Thesis by TIAGO MIGUEL FRAGA Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS December 2007 Major Subject: Anthropology SANTO ANTONIO DE TANNÁ : STORY AND RECONSTRUCTION A Thesis by TIAGO MIGUEL FRAGA Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS Approved by: Chair of Committee, Luis Filipe Vieira de Castro Committee Members, Kevin J. Crisman James M. Rosenheim Head of Department, Donny L. Hamilton December 2007 Major Subject: Anthropology iii ABSTRACT Santo Antonio de Tanná : Story and Reconstruction. (December 2007) Tiago Miguel Fraga, Lic., Lusiada University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Luis Filipe Vieira de Castro Buy a puzzle, assemble it, and destroy its original box. Take the puzzle, go to a lake, throw the puzzle in the lake, and leave it for a few weeks. Return to the lake and try to rebuild the puzzle from the remaining pieces. Such is the challenge of the research goals presented on this abstract – the reconstruction of a Portuguese frigate, Santo Antonio de Tanná , from its submerged remains. This thesis focuses on the mechanisms of reconstructing the ship, including the thought process, new computer tools, and imagination required for an archaeologist to be a detective of lost eras. The main objective was to understand the construction of a late Seventeenth-century Portuguese frigate. Frigates were responsible for patrolling the seas, intercepting fast- moving vessels, re-supplying military trading stations, and protecting trade routes. The existence of Portuguese frigates was known from historical records, but Santo Antonio de Tanná is the only frigate identified in the archaeological record. As such, its reconstruction should enable scholars to better understand the actual capabilities of seventeenth century frigates. iv A particular challenge in this study was ascertaining the manner in which Santo Antonio de Tanná’s construction reflected the state of affairs of the Portuguese trade network. Although their construction methods were advanced, the Portuguese adopted a shipbuilding design that was not able to compete as well in the new conditions of a changing global context. This study clearly demonstrate that cargo capacity was given greater emphasis than either speed or maneuverability, illustrating the on-going necessity of the Portuguese to build military ships with cargo capacity sufficient for minimal trade, even at the expense of speed. These were just the first steps in terms of what could be learned from the reconstruction. The best method to understand the ship, a three-dimensional object, was to recreate it into a three-dimensional environment in order to create a more accurate model. The resulting model permitted research to extend beyond the limits of the individual line drawings through the added benefit of being able to calculate hydrodynamics, sailing characteristics, and other data based on the ship’s morphology. v To my Parents, Carlos and Paula, may I be as good a parent. vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I previously avoided reading the acknowledgments page in the works I came across during my studies. However, I now understand the necessity and value of such pages. And so I must thank the wonderful people that helped me through three years of bad food, sleep deprivation, and, surprisingly immense fun. First, to Filipe Castro for the patience he demonstrated during our work. To Robin Piercy and Jeremy Green, thanks for digging up the subject. To Kevin Crisman and James Rosenheim for making sure that Filipe would not be always right. To Donny Hamilton, who supported me and gave me so many opportunities. To my mentor Jean-Yves Blot for pointing to the right direction. To my moral compass Maria Luisa Blot for keeping me on the right road. To my parents Carlos and Paula and sisters Maria João, Monica, Vanessa, and Emanuele for the dedication and support they showed during this adventure. To Nancy Barnes, without you this thesis would never exist. To Rebekah Luza, Karen Taylor, Cindy Hurt, and Milissa Kennedy, you saved my hide several times and I am deeply grateful. To the team of the International Student Office, thank you. To my friends and colleagues, George and Bryana Schwarz, Alexis and Alexa Catsambis, Randal Sasaki, Jon Swanson, Mark Polzner, Wendy VanDeiveforden, Erika, Erik, Dante Bartoli, Laurie Lind, Claudia, Melissa, Chastity, Sam Li, Sam, Joshua Levin, Joshua, Chris and Katie, for all their patience, wonderful support and for enriching my life, here I state my deepest gratitude. Finally, to the one that has my heart, and did not mind waiting, Sandra Louro Conde Fraga. The waiting is over, love. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................. iii DEDICATION .......................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......................................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS.......................................................................................... vii LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................... x LIST OF FIGURES................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION................................................................................ 1 II PORTUGAL AND EUROPE IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY 7 III HISTORY OF THE FRIGATE............................................................ 20 Nomenclature................................................................................. 20 The Modern Age frigate................................................................. 26 Ship classification.......................................................................... 37 IV HISTORY OF SANTO ANTONIO DE TANNÁ ................................... 45 V HISTORY OF THE FORT SÃO JESUS IN MOMBASA................... 53 Background.................................................................................... 53 The architect................................................................................... 58 Fort design...................................................................................... 59 Fort construction............................................................................ 64 Organization of the fort.................................................................. 65 History............................................................................................ 67 VI WRITTEN SOURCES FOR RECONSTRUCTION........................... 80 viii CHAPTER Page Portugal.......................................................................................... 81 Spain............................................................................................... 85 England........................................................................................... 89 France............................................................................................. 91 VII ICONOGRAPHIC SOURCES FOR RECONSTRUCTION............... 100 VIII ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS...................................................... 123 Surviving hull remains................................................................... 123 Information for the line drawings................................................... 125 Measurements................................................................................. 126 Scantlings....................................................................................... 128 Keel............................................................................................ 128 Stem post.................................................................................... 128 Stern post.................................................................................... 129 Frames........................................................................................ 130 Keelson....................................................................................... 133 Mast step.................................................................................... 134 Mast partners / stanchions.......................................................... 135 Stanchions.................................................................................. 136 Hull planking.............................................................................. 138 Ceiling........................................................................................ 138 Stringers..................................................................................... 138 Deck clamp................................................................................ 139 Hanging knees............................................................................ 144 IX RECONSTRUCTION OF SANTO ANTONIO DE TANNÁ................. 145 Overall dimensions......................................................................... 145 The hull shape................................................................................ 152 Reconstructed scantlings................................................................ 168 Keel............................................................................................ 173 False