Spanish East Indies chief consort, and his subjects. Seeking to develop trade between the East Indies and the Americas across the Pacific Ocean, Antonio de Mendoza encouraged the exploration of these Asian territories and commissioned the expedition of Ruy López de Villalobos to the Philippines in 1542–1543. Miguel López de Legazpi set out from Mexico, and established the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines in 1565, which became the town of San Miguel in present-day Cebu. That same year, another member of the expedition, Andrés de Urdaneta discovered a maritime route from the Philippines to Mexico, across the Pacific, leading to the important
East Indies Station UK between early November 1941 & May 1942), and six armed merchant cruisers. Also assigned to the station was 814 Naval Air Squadron at China Bay, Ceylon, which unit was at that time equipped with Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers. The last flagship of the station, in 1957-58, was HMS Gambia. In 1958 the station closed and was replaced by the Arabian Seas and Persian Gulf Station. Note: for the period "1832–1865". Post holders included: Note:The post was sometimes styled as Senior Naval Officer, Egypt and Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station. Included: Note: Under East Indies Station briefly when the Eastern Fleet