Fireworks at Loreto Mission in early 1700's ???

I got an email from sargentodiaz asking what I knew of the firecrackers shipped to the Jesuit missions, from across the gulf.

I had not recalled any mention of them in my readings, but sure enough, sargento was correct! You do learn something new every day!

Here is our exchange:

S: In going through the list of supplies order by the Jesuits, I came across firecrackers in the listing.

Do you have any idea what on earth they would be using them for?

DK: You are going to HAVE TO send me the link to where you read that!

I am not Catholic, but maybe if there was some ceremony where incense wasn't enough, maybe?

Were fireworks even common in the 1700's outside of China?

S: It's in Antigua California, the part about ordering supplies.

There's nowhere in any of the references where I can find a reason for it. ...

It's on page 12 of the chapter on Organization and it provided the answer that they were used during certain fiestas.



DK: Okay, thanks Dale!

The page the list is on is page 144 (the 12th page in Chapter 5/ Organization).
...
The paragraph on page 144 says:
...There were also 130 dozen skyrockets and 48 dozen packets of firecrackers that were used during certain fiestas.
[note 70 = see pages 289-290]

Bottom of 289/ top of 290:

The mission launch (San Francisco Javier) was in the bay, and it seems that both on land and off the boat:
"Rockets were sent up, both on sea and on land. The water was very calm, and the lights reflected it."
So writes Father Salvatierra.

So, there is your answer!
David
PS Maybe this would make an interesting post on Nomad?

S: Thanks. Why don't you post it?
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The years Salvatierra was at Loreto:
Juan Salvatierra 1697-1704, 1707-1717

The book: