Battle of the Strait of Gibraltar (1590) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of the Strait of Gibraltar (1590)
Part of the Anglo–Spanish War
Date 24 April 1590 Location Off Straits of Gibraltar, Spain Result English victory Safe passage of the Company ships
Belligerents
Spain	England Levant Company
Commanders and leaders
Pedro de Acuña	Benedict Barnham
Strength
12 galleys	10 armed merchant vessels
Casualties and losses
Many galleys severely damaged, Heavy casualties	Light

The First Battle of the Strait of Gibraltar was a sea fight that happened on April 24, 1590. It was part of the Anglo-Spanish War. Ten English merchant ships, armed for battle, were sailing near the Straits of Gibraltar. They were stopped by twelve Spanish galleys led by Pedro de Acuña. English reports say the English ships fought for six hours and pushed back the Spanish galleys, causing a lot of damage. Spanish reports, however, say the battle didn't have a clear winner.

Why the Battle Happened

The Levant Company's Trade

The Levant Company was an English trading group. They had been trading in the Mediterranean since 1580. They got permission from Queen Elizabeth I to do this. The company set up trading posts, called "factories," in places like Aleppo, Constantinople, and Alexandria.

Ships and Protection

When the war with Spain started in 1585, the company began arming its ships. This was to protect them during their journeys. They also sailed in groups called convoys. This strategy worked well. In 1586, five of their ships fought off eleven Spanish galleys near Pantelleria island. After this success, the company always armed its ships and sailed in convoys.

The Journey Home

In April 1590, ten of the company's ships were heading home. They had been to places like Venice and Constantinople. As they entered the Straits of Gibraltar, they formed a tight convoy. Two ships from Flanders also joined them for safety. The lead ship was the Salomon, commanded by Benedict Barnham. The second in command was John Watts on the Margaret and John. Other ships included the Centurion, Minion, and Elizabeth.

On April 24, as they got closer to the Straits, twelve large Spanish galleys were spotted. Captain Barnham quickly told his ships to get ready for a fight. English records say the Spanish galleys were led by Giovanni Andrea Doria. But Spanish records show the real commander was don Pedro de Acuña.

The Fight Begins

First Shots Fired

As the Spanish galleys came closer, the Salomon fired warning shots. But the galleys kept coming. They formed a V-shape, like an arrowhead. The Salomon then aimed at the lead Spanish galley. It hit its target, causing damage. This forced that galley to turn away. Soon, the other English ships also started firing their cannons. The Minion and Margaret and John protected the smaller English ships. The Centurion, which was the biggest English ship, was kept ready in the back.

A Flemish Ship Surrenders

During the first hour of the battle, one of the Flemish ships sailed towards the Spanish galleys and gave up. This caused a brief distraction. Sailors from the English ship Violet quickly boarded the other Flemish ship. They convinced its crew not to surrender.

Spanish Tactics

The Spanish galleys kept trying to attack the English ships. Their usual plan was to get very close and then board the enemy ship. But for almost three hours, the English ships kept the Spanish at a distance. Each time a galley tried to get close enough to board, it was pushed back.

Running Low on Ammunition

The Salomon and Margaret and John started to run low on gunpowder. So, the Centurion and Elizabeth moved forward. These ships had not fired much yet. With these fresh ships joining the fight, the Centurion's powerful cannons made a big difference. The Spanish galleys could not get close enough to board.

After almost six hours of fighting, the last Spanish galley was pushed back. Some of the galleys were even sinking. The Spanish ships had suffered a lot of damage. They also had many losses among their crew and soldiers. Because of this, the Spanish commander had to retreat. He sailed his damaged ships to Algeciras for safety.

Different Views of the Battle

Spanish historians have a different view of this battle. A Spanish naval historian, Cesáreo Fernández Duro, said that the English ships only got through because the sea was very rough. He explained that rough seas made it hard for the Spanish galleys to board the English ships. It also made it difficult for the galleys to use their main cannon. Fernández Duro also noted that many English and French writers might have misunderstood. They thought the English ships pushed back the galleys with cannon fire. But it might have been the rough sea that stopped the Spanish.

After the Battle

English Ships' Condition

The English ships had only minor damage, mostly to their sails and masts. The Spanish goal was to board the ships, not to sink them from a distance. But they couldn't get close enough. This was either because of the strong English cannon fire or the rough sea, depending on which story you believe. The English ships had very few injuries to their crews.

However, after the fight, the wind died down. The English ships were stuck near Gibraltar. They were also running very low on cannonballs and gunpowder. The bigger ships were almost out of ammunition.

Seeking Supplies

Because they were stuck and low on supplies, the English ships had to be towed to the nearest friendly port. This was Tétouan on the Barbary coast. There, they bought fresh supplies. The people of Tétouan treated them very well. News of their victory spread quickly. The governor of Tétouan gave them gifts and allowed them to stay as long as they needed.

After about four days, the wind returned. The English ships sailed off without any problems. The Spanish ships in Algeciras could not stop them because they were too damaged or because the sea was still too rough. The English ships soon arrived back in England safely.

Later Clashes

In the months that followed, the Levant Company ships had more battles with Spanish galleys. In August, Pedro de Acuña sank one English ship and captured another. In 1591, an English convoy met another Spanish fleet of galleys in the same area. That battle had a similar outcome.