The print version of the WSJ had a photo of the Mexican tall ship Cuauhtemoc sailing into San Francisco on Monday July 13th. Unfortunately the photo wasn’t available online, but the photo I’ve posted here of the Cuauhtemoc arriving in Japan is essentially the same. When she enters a harbor, the crew stands on the yards and sings greeting.
The WSJ reported:
“The barque Cuauhtemoc sailing along the city-front in SF in the '05 Tall Ships Challenge. Built for the Mexican Navy as a training vessel for its cadets, she was named for the last Aztec emperor who was imprisoned and executed by conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1525.”
The ship apparently travels all over the world as a sort of good will ambassador and permits tours once in dock.
Emperor Cuauhtemoc’s name meant, “descending eagle,” which is perhaps fitting, as he was the last legitimate ruler of Tenochtitlan. The painting below depicts Cortez torturing him. Cortez wanted to know where the last of the Tenochtitlan’s gold had been hidden. Cuauhtemoc insisted there was nothing left of the national treasury and maintained his royal bearing and dignity through the pain. Eventually in frustration, Cortez had him hanged; however, Cauahtemoc's bravery made him a folk hero and his name lives on.
Legend has it that Cuauhtemoc will return in the era of the Sixth Sun and reseat the Mexica as the rightful rulers of the Cem-Anahuac (or “One World” as the Aztec Empire was known).
“You tell me then that I must perish
like the flowers that I cherish.
Nothing remaining of my name,
Nothing remembered of my fame?
But the gardens I planted still are young-
The songs I sang will be sung!”
- Huexotzin, Prince of Texcoco
The Torture of Cuauhtémoc - A 19th Century painting by Leandro Izaguirre
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