The Corn Islands in 1776: A Glimpse from Juan Antonio de Gastelu’s Caribbean Exploration
Long before becoming a Nicaraguan tourist haven, the Corn Islands—once known as Islas de Mangles—were quiet but strategic outposts along the Caribbean trade and travel routes. In 1776, Spanish explorer Juan Antonio de Gastelu recorded his impressions of these islands during his expedition along the Central American coast. His detailed journal, Diario sobre una exploración a la Costa Caribe de Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica y Panamá, provides one of the earliest documented glimpses into life on the Corn Islands during the colonial era.
Navigating the Caribbean: Why the Corn Islands Mattered
Gastelu began his expedition in Portobelo, Panama, on April 24, 1776. He initially planned to head toward San Andrés Island but opted instead to reroute via the Corn Islands, based on the advice of his pilot.
“On the 24th [of April], we left Portobelo, and unable to chart a course to San Andrés Island, I decided—following the captain’s advice—to go through the Mangles Islands.”– p. 315
This decision highlights the islands’ value as a known stopover point—a maritime crossroads in the western Caribbean.
First Contact with Great Corn Island
After sailing along the coast and noting the presence of Miskito communities and British settlers, Gastelu reached what we now know as Great Corn Island on May 17.
“On the 17th, I departed for the channel of said islands, though it was quite risky and dangerous. I headed toward the Great Mangles Island, but could not anchor there despite having sailed upwind over it...”– p. 321
Even though he struggled to anchor due to adverse winds, he managed to observe the island from the sea.
“...From offshore, I spotted three English houses sustained by cattle, corn, bananas, coconuts, cassava, and yams.”– p. 321
This short but telling observation confirms that by the 18th century, British settlers were already cultivating the land and using the Corn Islands as agricultural and livestock bases—well before the islands became formally linked to Nicaragua.
Strategic Simplicity in a Complex Region
Gastelu’s description shows how the Corn Islands, although small and relatively isolated, were already woven into a broader regional network of colonial influence, trade, and exploration. The presence of British settlers, combined with the islands’ position along sea routes, turned them into subtle but significant points of interest for imperial powers like Spain.
Conclusion
Gastelu’s 1776 journal offers more than just a travel log—it serves as an early record of the Corn Islands' role in Caribbean history. Known then as the Islas de Mangles, these islands were both a challenge to reach and a valuable waypoint for Spanish explorers. Today, they remain a symbol of cultural blending, natural beauty, and centuries of untold stories.
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Sources
Juan Antonio de Gastelu. (1776). Diario sobre una exploración a la Costa Caribe de Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica y Panamá. In Aventureros en las Costas de Nicaragua, pp. 315–321.
