Imagine that you are a passenger on the ill-fated voyage of the Spanish galleon Concepción. You are standing near the bow looking aft on the night of September 28, 1641.

Conditions are drastic in the Atlantic Ocean this night. The fleet of galleons headed back to Spain is running before the wind of a deadly hurricane. Half the time the ship is nearly submerged and great waves follow hard on a blinding spray of rain as you attempt to make your way to the stern for a word with the pilot.