It carried half of Panama?s wealth and 1,500 members of the richest families, families that have the means to pay hefty ransoms.Interrogating prisoners, Morgan learned that the treasure galleon Trinity had left Panama Viejo the day before his raiders arrived, bound for Peru.The next morning, staggering back to consciousness, Searles and his merry band discovered what had happened, but it was then too late to catch the treasure ship.The rich homes were filled with the most expensive furniture money could buy.Ironically, the greatest damage to the stone buildings was done in the 20th century by locals scavenging material to build homes. Searles and his crew landed on the island, unaware that the Spanish were taking on water and provisions on the other side. Rugs, tapestries and family plate destroyed by the flames were China 2311 steel Factory far more valuable than the gold and silver captured in the raid. Instead, they brought back a lovely woman, Maria Eleanora Lopez y Ganero, hoping that Morgan would be so smitten he would forgive them the loss of the ship.Morgan sent Captain Daniel Searles to find the ship, which had headed in the direction of Taboga Island, not far from Panama Viejo. The townspeople plied Searles and his crew with wine, getting them so drunk that the Spanish vessel was able to make its escape. Morgan, who had counted on becoming rich from the attack, left with one-tenth the value he had expected.Morgan also lost the advantage of being able to threaten to torch the city if ransom was not paid. Others think a lit stove was knocked over in a skirmish. Only the stone buildings, remnants of which can be seen today, remained standing. Some say the Spaniards set the fire to cheat the pirates. Whatever the reason, most of what is now Panama Viejo was wiped out. The cargo was probably worth millions, and the ship was so heavily laden and sailing so slowly it should have been easy for the pirates to overtake it