Blockade of Western Cuba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blockade of Western Cuba (1591) |
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| Part of the Anglo–Spanish War | |||||||
 Map of Cuba at the time of the blockade, that took place between the Western tip and Havana |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 England |
 Spain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Michael Geare William Lane Christopher Newport |
Diego de la Ribera Antonio Navarro |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 10 ships | 7 galleons 2 galleys 2 pinnaces Ships of Plate Fleet convoy |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 bark sunk | 2 galleons captured 8 ships captured, sunk, or burned 2 galleys severely damaged |
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The Blockade of Western Cuba was a major naval operation by England during the Anglo-Spanish War. It happened off the coast of Cuba, which was a Spanish colony at the time. This event, also called the Watts' West Indies Expedition, took place from May to July 1591. It was led by Ralph Lane and Michael Geare, and rich investors like John Watts and Sir Walter Raleigh helped pay for it.
The English ships aimed to stop and capture Spanish ships. Some of these Spanish ships were part of a valuable treasure convoy. This convoy was protected by the Spanish navy, led by Admiral Diego de la Ribera. The English managed to capture or burn ten Spanish ships, including two large galleons. They lost only one of their own ships. This made the blockade a big success for England, both militarily and financially.
Contents
Why the Blockade Happened
In early 1591, England put together a fleet of ships. Their goal was to raid Spanish areas in the Spanish West Indies, especially around Hispaniola and Cuba. This expedition was paid for by several investors. They formed a joint stock venture, meaning many people put money in.
Who Was Involved
The main fleet was largely funded by John Watts. Other investors included Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake. The leader of this fleet was Captain William Lane. His ship was the Centaur. Captain Michael Geare was second-in-command on the Little John.
Another part of the fleet was funded by Sir George Carew. This included ships like the Hopewell and the Burr. The English ships planned to attack any Spanish or Portuguese ships they found. Their main goal was to make a lot of money from captured goods.
Setting Sail
The English fleet left Plymouth in the spring of 1591. They first sailed near the coast of Spain. This was a trick to make the Spanish think they were going somewhere else.
In April, near Cadiz, two English ships, Margaret and Prudence, captured a large Spanish ship. This ship was full of valuable items like bullion (gold/silver bars), money, animal hides, precious stones, and wine. The English sent this captured ship back to England. The rest of the fleet then sailed west towards Cuba.
The Expedition Begins
The English ships met up near Saint Kitts and Puerto Rico in May 1591. Even though bad weather separated some ships, they all reached the Bahamas a week later.
First Captures
The first big success happened in late May. The Margaret and Prudence captured a Spanish merchant ship called Rosario near Hispaniola. The English took all the valuable goods from the ship. The Spanish crew was set free.
The captured crew told the English some important news. They said a large Spanish fleet was coming. This fleet had seven galleons, two galleys, and two smaller ships called pinnaces. It had 2,000 men in total. This Spanish force was led by Admiral Don Diego de la Ribera. His job was to clear the area of English privateers. This was because a valuable Spanish treasure fleet, led by Antonio Navarro de Prado, was expected to arrive soon.
The Blockade of Cuba
After hearing about the Spanish fleet, the English decided to take a big risk. They chose to set up a blockade off Western Cuba. This meant they would wait for Spanish ships and try to stop them. The English ships took their positions near Corrientes in mid-June.
Battle at Corrientes
On June 23, some English ships sighted six Spanish ships. The English thought they might be treasure ships. But they soon realized it was Admiral Ribera's fleet. This Spanish force included two large galleons and two galleys. The English ships were heavily outnumbered.
Despite this, the English ships held their positions. A long-range fight began at 7:00 am and lasted for three hours. During this fight, the English ship Burr exploded. This might have been from a Spanish cannonball or an accident. Sixteen survivors were rescued by the Swallow.
Two Spanish galleys tried to attack the remaining English ships, Hopewell and Content. But the English ships fought back with heavy gunfire. The galleys were damaged and pulled back. The English ships then sailed away to Cape San Antonio.
On June 29, the Hopewell and Swallow returned to Cape Corrientes. They met up with other English ships, including the Centaur and Little John. They were also joined by Captain John Oker's ship, the Lion.
On July 3, while getting water, the Pegasus and Centaur spotted more Spanish ships. They chased and captured two Spanish merchant ships. At the same time, the Lion and Swallow captured another Spanish ship. These Spanish ships were carrying valuable goods like precious stones and animal hides.
Blockading Havana
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On July 5, the English ships decided to sail together with their captured prizes. They wanted to pass the Cuban capital, Havana. Some ships, like the Prudence and Lion, then sailed towards England with their prizes.
The next day, the remaining English ships turned back. They took up positions to blockade the west of Havana. They knew Admiral Ribera's powerful galleons were nearby. But they waited for more incoming Spanish ships.
On July 15, the Pegasus and Little John spotted a large Spanish ship. They attacked it and, after a tough fight, captured it. This was the 300-ton Spanish galleon San Juan. It was sailing from Veracruz to Havana. The English took everything valuable from the San Juan, then burned it.
From the prisoners, the English learned that a Spanish convoy was behind the San Juan. On the same day, other English ships captured four Spanish coastal ships. They took goods from them. Two of these ships were used to store supplies, and the other two were burned.
Early the next day, the main Spanish convoy arrived. The English ships spotted a lone ship that was ahead of the rest of the convoy. The Centaur and Little John attacked this ship. The Pegasus also fired at it. After a quick fight, the English captured the ship. This was the 240-ton armed merchant galleon Santa Trinidad.
The Santa Trinidad was incredibly rich with valuable goods. Because of this huge prize, the English leader, William Lane, decided to end the blockade. They sailed home to protect their valuable captured ship. They left before the rest of the Spanish treasure fleet and Admiral Ribera's ships could catch them.
What Happened Next
The English fleet arrived back in Plymouth a few months later. They brought eight captured ships with them. Everyone was very happy. John Watts' expedition was a huge success. The captured goods were worth about £40,000. This meant the investors made a profit of at least 200 percent.
Half of this money went to Queen Elizabeth I and the Lord Admiral. The rest was shared between Watts and Raleigh. The Santa Trinidad alone brought in £20,000. It carried silver, hides, and cochineal (a valuable dye).
The Spanish were very frustrated. Admiral de La Ribera had failed to remove the English from Western Cuba. The Spanish Governor of Cuba, Juan de Tejeda, complained about the English ships sailing right under his nose.
The Blockade of Western Cuba was one of the most successful English expeditions of the war. It was a big win both militarily and financially. In the following years, more English expeditions were launched. They didn't have as much success, but they still forced the Spanish to delay their treasure fleets. This meant the Spanish treasure only reached Spain much later, in the spring of 1593.
