Sebastião Rodrigues Soromenho (Sebastián Rodríguez Cermeño inSpanish; c. 1560–1602), was aPortuguese explorer, born inSesimbra (Portugal), appointed by KingPhilip II of Spain (Spanish:Felipe II de España;Portuguese:Filipe I de Portugal) to sail along the shores of California, in the years 1595 and 1596, in order to map the American west coast line and define the maritime routes of the Pacific Ocean in the 16th century.
Little is known of Soromenho. He was probably the same man as a Sebastian Rodrigues, a pilot on the Manila GalleonSanta Ana, which was captured byThomas Cavendish in 1587 during hiscircumnavigation. Soromenho had a 200-ton ship.
TheManila galleonSan Agustin was sent from the Philippines to survey the coast of what became Oregon and California and then to complete the trip toAcapulco, Mexico. Carrying 130 tons of cargo, the ship displaced approximately 200 tons. Soromenho was appointed as captain for the voyage of theSan Agustin based on his professional skill as a navigator.
On July 5, 1595, theSan Agustin sailed from Manila with its cargo, some passengers, and some soldiers. On November 4, 1595 it reached land between Point St. George andTrinidad Head in California. Soromenho followed the coast south toDrakes Bay, anchoring on November 7. He was greeted by the Native Americans in a manner similar to that offered toFrancis Drake 16 years earlier, but there was an absence of the great fear and reserve exhibited on that occasion. In late November, theSan Agustin was at anchor when a large storm blew in from the south or southwest. The ship dragged anchor and sank. Several people died (accounts vary between seven and twelve) and all goods (mostly silk, wax and porcelain) were lost.
Construction on alaunch which had been brought from the Philippines was completed. Nearly 80 persons sailed in the launch, now named theSan Buenaventura, on December 8. Seeking the fastest route south, the expedition failed to noticeSan Francisco Bay. They arrived atPuerto de Chacala, Mexico, on January 17, 1596.[1]