The Pursuit of Happiness

In this exhibition, the Museum wishes to publicise a practically unknown episode in our seafaring history: the assistance by the Basque Country to the thirteen British colonies in their struggle against Great Britain to win independence in 1776.

The colonists had the support of several European nations. In this context Basque ports, especially Bilbao, were used to provide weaponry, ammunition, uniforms and technical assistance, along the trade routes already established by Basque merchants with the British colonies. This was a decisive factor in the triumph of the cause of independence.