5 W's
Asking yourself "Who, What, Where, When, and Why" can help you keep track of details as you read. Try asking those questions as you read about these Spanish shipwrecks from long ago.
The 1554 Spanish Shipwrecks
In April 1554, three Spanish naos (a type of cargo and passenger ship similar to Columbus’s Santa Maria) went aground on Padre Island (off the coast of modern-day Texas) following a storm that had blown them across the Gulf of Mexico. At the time this was the greatest disaster to ever befall the Spanish fleet in the New World.
Tons of treasure bound for Spain was lost in addition to the lives of approximately three hundred passengers and crew who died from hunger, thirst, and attacks by natives as they attempted to walk back to the port of Vera Cruz.
The wrecks were the first documented occurrence of Europeans on the island and one of the first occurrences of Europeans visiting what was to become of Texas. The three ships that wrecked are the oldest shipwrecks ever found in North America.
Source: https://www.nps.gov/pais/learn/historyculture/1554
Five W's Chart Who, What, Where, When and Why all begin with W's, so we call these the "Five W Questions." Write notes to answer each one.
What happened?
Who was involved?
When did it happen?
Where did it happen?
Why did it happen?
Use the Five W's to help you track the details in other articles too!
