Battle of the Gulf of Almería (1591) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of the Gulf of Almería (1591)
Part of the Eighty Years' War and the Anglo–Spanish War (1585–1604)
Photography of the Gulf of Almería by Gabriel Villena.
Date Late August, 1591 Location Gulf of Almería, Mediterranean Sea Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
United Provinces  England	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Martín de Padilla
Strength
Unknown: around 35 ships	Unknown: around 20 ships
Casualties and losses
20 Dutch ships captured 3 English ships captured	None

The Battle of the Gulf of Almería was an important naval battle. It happened in late August 1591. The battle took place near Almería, off the coast of Spain. It was part of two bigger conflicts: the Eighty Years' War and the Anglo–Spanish War. In this battle, the Spanish navy won a great victory.

What Happened?

The battle began when a Spanish fleet was sailing home. They were led by Don Martín de Padilla. His ships were returning from Venice to Spain. They were carrying valuable goods.

The Fleets Meet

As they sailed near Almería, they spotted another group of ships. This was a combined fleet from England and the Netherlands. The exact number of ships on each side is not known. However, the Anglo-Dutch fleet had about 35 ships. The Spanish fleet had around 20 ships.

The Battle Begins

Martín de Padilla decided to attack the Anglo-Dutch fleet. The Spanish ships attacked very fiercely. This surprise attack broke up the Anglo-Dutch formation. Their ships became disorganized.

Spanish Victory

The Spanish navy achieved a big success. They captured many enemy ships. About 20 Dutch ships were taken. They also captured 3 English ships. Many other Anglo-Dutch ships were badly damaged. The Spanish fleet had very few losses.

After the Battle

After their victory, the Spanish fleet sailed into the port of Almería. They brought all the captured ships with them. This was a clear sign of their success.

See also

• Cape Palos