Exploration of the Gulf of Mexico and the establishment of Villa Rica de Vera Cruz led to the loss of more than 20 ships.
- 6 ships of Narvaez fleet (1520)
- 2 ships of Alonso Álvarez de Pineda (1520)
- bergantin of Hernández de Córdoba (1517)
- a ship taken by Bay Island Indians (1515)
The port of Vera Cruz was particularly vulnerable; 16 ships were lost from 1519-1520:
- 3 caravels and 7 smaller ships of Hernando Cortés (1519)
- 3 ships Hernando Cortés (1520)
- a ship of Migual Diaz de Aux (1520)
- a caravel of Diego de Camargo (1520)
- a ship of Panfilo de Narváez (1520)
