Spanish authorities seized Santiago in 1587 while it lay in port in Sanlúcar de Barrameda and pressed it into service for the Armada’s planned invasion of England (Ødegaard 2001: 13).

This unusual arrangement (carrying soldiers’ wives) earned Santiago the moniker "ship of the women" (Martin & Parker 1999: 26,264).

After losing a series of battles with the English fleet, the Armada escaped by sailing north between England and Norway (Martin & Parker 1999: 211).

In very bad weather with a strong headwind, running short of supplies, and leaking, Santiago finally turned east and ran with the wind toward Norway (Ødegaard 2001: 29).

After a few months stay at several locations in the Bergen area, most of the crew sailed on a German ship toward Hamburg but wrecked again near Halmstad, Sweden (Ødegaard 2001: 19).