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The Spanish Armada was the fleet that attempted to escort an army from Flanders as a part the Habsburg Spanish invasion of England in 1588, was divided into ten "squadrons" (escuadras)[1] The twenty galleons in the Squadrons of Portugal and of Castile, together with one more galleon in the Squadron of Andalucia and the four galleasses from Naples, constituted the only purpose-built warships (apart from the four galleys, which proved ineffective in the Atlantic waters and soon departed for safety in French ports); the rest of the Armada comprised armed merchantmen (mostly naos/carracks) and various ancillary vessels including urcas (storeships, termed "hulks"), zabras and pataches, pinnaces, and (not included in the formal count) caravels. The division into squadrons was for administrative purposes only; upon sailing, the Armada could not keep to a formal order, and most ships sailed independently from the rest of their squadron. Each squadron was led by a flagship (capitana) and a "vice-flagship" (almiranta).
This list is compiled by a survey drawn up by Medina Sidonia on the Armada's departure from Lisbon on 9 May 1588 and sent to Felipe II; it was then published and quickly became available to the English. The numbers of sailors and soldiers mentioned below are as given in the same survey and thus also relate to this date.

List of Squadron Commanders

These commanders did not necessarily sail in the capitana (flagship) of the squadron of which they were technically in command. For example, Juan Martínez de Recalde, as second-in-command of the whole enterprise, was aboard Medina Sidonia's flagship São Martinho (or San Martin in Spanish), which also carried the Duke's principal staff officers - Diego Flores de Valdés (chief advisor on naval matters) and Francisco Arias de Bobadilla [es] (the general in charge of the fleet's military contingent). In view of this, in the event of the loss of the fleet flagship with its commanders aboard, it was determined by Felipe II that command of the enterprise would then devolve upon Alonso Martínez de Leiva, who commanded the Rata Santa María Encoronada of the Squadron of Levantines.

Ships of the Squadrons[2]

Squadron of Portugal

Twelve ships comprising ten galleons and two zabras (total seamen 1,293; total soldiers 3,330);

  • São Martinho (48 guns). Known in Spanish as San Martin and in English as Saint Martin. Flagship of the commander-in-chief (Fleet Capitana), the Duke of Medina Sidonia and Maestre Francisco Arias de Bobadilla, the senior army officer. (São Martinho had an overall length of about 180 feet (55 m) with a beam of about 40 feet (12 m). She carried the aforementioned 48 heavy guns on two enclosed gun decks, plus multiple smaller weapons).
  • São João (de Portugal) 4 Galleys commanded by Captain Diego de Medrano: Capitana, Princesa, Diana, and Bazana (50 guns each), known in Spanish as the galleys of San Juan de Portugal and in English as Saint John of Portugal.
  • Vice-flagship (Fleet Almiranta). Captained by Recalde (captain of this ship later in the expedition).
  • São Marcos (33 guns).
  • São Filipe (40 guns).
  • São Luis (38 guns).
  • São Mateus (34 guns). Known in Spanish as San Mateo and in English as Saint Matthew.
  • Santiago (24 guns).
  • Florencia (52 guns). The Tuscan-built galleon San Francisco (São Francisco in Portuguese) was appropriated, renamed and integrated within the squadron of Portuguese galleons.[3] Older Portuguese galleons like the São Lucas and the São Rafael had already been withdrawn from service; one was still in the squadron at Lisbon, but was too small and too rotted to accompany the Squadron), and she was substituted by the Florencia.
More information Name, Type ...
Name Type Tons Built at Year built No of guns Crew Troops Fate
São Martinho
(Sp. San Martín)		 galleon 1,000 Portugal 1578 48 161 317 Returned to Santander
São João
(Sp. San Juan)		 galleon 1,050 Portugal 1586 50 156 387 Returned to A Coruña, subsequently burned there by Sir Francis Drake in May 1589
São Marcos
(Sp. San Marcos)		 galleon 790 Portugal 1585 33 108 274 Wrecked on the coast of County Clare, Ireland.
São Luís
(Sp. San Luis)		 galleon 830 Portugal 1585 38 100 339 Returned to Santander
São Filipe
(Sp. San Felipe)		 galleon 800 Portugal 1585 40 108 362 Ran aground and lost off Flanders, between Nieuport and Ostend.
São Mateus
(Sp. San Mateo)		 galleon 750 Portugal 1579 34 110 286 Ran aground and lost off Flanders, between Nieuport and Ostend.
São Tiago
(Sp. Santiago)		 galleon 520 Portugal 1585 24 80 293 Returned to Santander
São Francisco
(Sp. San Francisco de Florencia)		 galleon 961 Tuscany 1585 52 89 294 Returned to Santander
São Cristóvão
(Sp. San Cristóbal)		 galleon 352 Portugal 1580 20 79 132 Returned to Santander
São Bernardo
(Sp. San Bernardo)		 galleon 352 Cantabria 1586 21 65 171 Returned to A Coruña
Augusta zabra 166 Cantabria 1585 13 43 49 unknown
Julia Zabra 166 Cantabria 1585 14 48 87 unknown
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Squadron of Castile

Sixteen ships comprising ten galleons, four armed merchant carracks (naos) and two pataches (total seamen 1,719; total soldiers 2,458); seven of the galleons were built as a class at Guarnizo in 1583–83.

  • San Cristobal (36 guns). Flagship of Diego Flores de Valdés (who served as chief-of-staff to Medina Sidonia aboard the São Martinho throughout the campaign, and did not set foot aboard the San Cristobal during the campaign).
  • San Juan Bautista (24 guns). Vice-flagship.
  • San Pedro (24 guns).
  • San Juan (24 guns).
  • Santiago el Mayor (24 guns).
  • San Felipe y Santiago (24 guns).
  • Asunción (24 guns).
  • Nuestra Señora del Barrio (24 guns).
  • San Medel y Celedon (24 guns).
  • Santa Ana (24 guns).
  • Nuestra Señora de Begoña (nao).
  • La Trinidad Bogitar (nao).
  • La Santa Catalina (nao).
  • San Juan Bautista (nao).
  • Patache Nuestra Señora del Socorro (or Nuestra Señora del Rosario). (14 guns).
  • Patache San Antonio de Padua (12 guns).
More information Name, Type ...
Name Type Tons Built at Year built No of guns Crew Troops Fate
San Cristóbal galleon 700 Santander 1583 36 116 202 Returned to Laredo
San Juan Bautista galleon 750 Santander 1585 24 90 244 Returned to Santander
San Juan (el Menor) galleon 530 Guarnizo 1584 24 77 231 Returned to Santander
San Pedro (el Mayor) galleon 530 Guarnizo 1584 24 90 184 Returned to Santander
Santiago el Mayor galleon 530 Guarnizo 1584 24 103 290 Returned to Santander
San Felipe y Santiago galleon 530 Guarnizo 1584 24 75 204 Returned to Santander
Asunción galleon 530 Guarnizo 1584 24 70 170 Returned to Santander
Nuestra Señora del Barrio galleon 530 Guarnizo 1583 24 81 202 Returned to Laredo
San Medel y Celedón galleon 530 Guarnizo 1584 24 75 200 Returned to Laredo
Santa Ana galleon 250 France 1581 24 54 98 Returned to Santander
Nuestra Señora de Begoña nao 750 Santander 1585 24 81 202 Returned to Cangas (Galicia)
Trinidad nao 872 Santander 1586 24 79 173 Lost off the coast of Desmond — probably at Valentia Island, off the coast of south Kerry Ireland
Santa Catalina nao 882 Santander 1586 24 134 193 Returned to Santander
San Juan Bautista nao 650 Santander 1585 24 57 183 Returned to Santander
on 7 October 1588
Nuestra Señora del Socorro
(or Nuestra Señora del Rosario)		 patache 75 Santander 1586 14 15 20 Possibly lost in Tralee Bay, County Kerry, Ireland.[4]
San Antonio de Padua patache 75 Santander 1586 12 20 20 Sank off the west coast of Ireland
Close

Squadron of Galleasses of Naples

Four ships (galleasses); the flagship (capitana) of Don Hugo de Moncada was the San Lorenzo; when she was captured by the French at Calais after a hard fight with the English, Moncada died from a bullet wound.

These powerfully-armed vessels were built for the Neapolitan Navy (probably in Sicily) a decade earlier. Each had 28 oars on each side, but relied on a square-rigged sailing arrangement installed for the 1588 campaign, as they were slow under oars alone. Their armament consisted on six forward-firing heavy cannon in the bows and four similar guns rear-firing in the stern; they also had 20 smaller guns (4- to 12-pounders) mounted in the fore and stern castles, and 20 swivel-mounted light guns on the raised catwalks above the rowers' benches.

  • San Lorenzo (50 guns). Grounded at Calais after the Battle of Gravelines. Captured by the French after a hard fight with the English that cost Don Hugo de Moncada his life.
  • Zúñiga (50 guns). Forced to take refuge at Le Havre after suffering rudder damage while trying to return home. It is unclear whether Zúñiga ever returned home. It was last reported silted up at Le Havre after an unsuccessful effort to sail home.
  • Girona (50 guns). Wrecked 30 October 1588 at Lacada Point, County Antrim, Ireland. There may have been as many as 1,295 casualties due to the Girona carrying survivors from Santa Maria Rata Encoronada and Duquesa Santa Ana.
  • Napolitana (50 guns).
More information Name, No of Guns ...
Name No of Guns Built at Year built Tons Crew Oarsmen Soldiers Fate
San Lorenzo 50 Naples 1578 380 124 300 248 Grounded at Calais after the Battle of Gravelines.
Zúñiga 50 Naples 1578 380 104 300 226 Returned to Le Havre, where abandoned
Girona 50 Naples 1580 380 129 300 229 Lost driven on to Lacada Point and the "Spanish Rocks'" (as they were known, thereafter) near Ballintoy in County Antrim, Ireland on the night of 26 October 1588.
Napolitana 50 Naples 1581 380 102 300 221 Returned home intact, making landfall at Laredo, Spain.
Close

Squadron of Viscaya (Biscay)

Fourteen ships comprising ten naos and four pataches (total seamen 863; total soldiers 1,937);

  • Santa Ana (30 guns: Flagship of Juan Martinez de Recalde, Captain General and second in command of the Armada). Commanded by Nicolas de Isla.
  • El Gran Grin (28 guns: Vice-flagship). Commanded by Pedro de Mendoza.
  • Santiago (25 guns).
  • La Concepción de Zubelzu. (16 guns).
  • La Concepción de Juan del Cano (18 guns).
  • La Magdalena (18 guns).
  • San Juan (21 guns).
  • La María Juan (24 guns).
  • La Manuela (24 guns).
  • Santa María de Montemayor (18 guns).
  • Patache La María de Aguirre (6 guns).
  • Patache La Isabela (10 guns).
  • Patache de Miguel de Suso (6 guns).
  • Patache San Esteban (6 guns).
More information Name, Type ...
Name Type Tons Built at Year built No of guns Crew Troops Fate
Santa Ana nao 768 Cantabria 1586 30 101 311 Lost off Le Havre
Gran Grin nao 1,160 Cantabria unknown 28 75 261 Wrecked near southwest tip of Clare Island, Clew Bay, County Mayo, Ireland.
Santiago nao 666 Cantabria 1585 25 106 204 Returned to Guipuzcoa
Concepcion de Zubelzu nao 468 Pasajes 1585 16 58 161 Returned to Guipuzcoa
Concepcion de Juan del Cano nao 418 Cantabria 1585 18 58 167 Wrecked on Carna, County Galway, Ireland.
Magdalena nao 530 Cantabria 1585 18 61 183 Returned to Guipuzcoa
San Juan nao 350 Cantabria 1585 21 49 141 Wrecked at Dunkirk, France.
María Juan nao 665 Cantabria 1585 24 94 207 Damaged during the Battle of Gravelines and sank two days later.
Manuela nao 520 England
(i.e. a prize)		 12 48 124 Returned to Santander
Santa María de Montemayor nao 707 Ragusa 18 47 158 Returned to Santander
María de Aguirre patache 70 Cantabria 1585 6 25 19 unknown
Isabela patache 71 Cantabria 1585 10 29 24 Returned to A Coruña
María de Miguel Suso patache 96 Cantabria 1585 6 25 20 Returned to Guipuzcoa
San Esteban patache 78 Cantabria 1585 6 25 10 Returned to A Coruña
Close

Squadron of Andalusia

Eleven ships comprising nine naos, one galleon and one patache (total seamen 780; total soldiers 2,325);

  • Nuestra Señora del Rosario (46 guns). Flagship of Don Pedro de Valdés.
  • San Francisco (21 guns). Vice-flagship.
  • San Juan Bautista (31 guns).
  • San Juan de Gargarín (16 guns).
  • La Concepción (20 guns).
  • Duquesa Santa Ana (23 guns).
  • Santa Catalina (23 guns).
  • La Trinidad (13 guns).
  • Santa María del Juncal (20 guns).
  • San Bartolomé (20 guns).
  • Patache El Espíritu Santo (32 guns).
More information Name, Type ...
Name Type Tons Built at Year built No of guns Crew Troops Fate
Nuestra Señora del Rosario nao 1,150 Ribadeo 1585 46 119 345 Captured by Drake in the Channel, sent into Torbay
San Francisco nao 915 Cantabria 1585 21 85 227 Returned to Santander
San Juan Bautista galleon 810 Cantabria 1584 31 84 249 Returned to Santander
San Juan de Gargarín nao 569 Cantabria 1585 16 38 175 Returned to Santander
Concepción nao 862 Cantabria 1584 20 69 201 Returned to Laredo
Duquesa Santa Ana nao 900 Flanders 1585 23 65 253 Wrecked at Loughros More, County Donegal, Ireland.
Santa Catalina nao 730 Cantabria 1585 23 69 238 unknown
Trinidad nao 650 Cantabria 1585 13 54 198 unknown
Santa María de Juncal nao 730 Cantabria 1586 20 66 219 unknown
San Bartolomé nao 976 Cantabria 1585 27 56 211 unknown
Espíritu Santo patache 70 Cantabria 1585 10 15 18 Scuttled at Portencross, 6 August 1588
Close

Squadron of Guipúzcoa

Fourteen ships comprising ten naos and four pataches (total seamen 616; total soldiers 1,992);

  • Santa Ana (47 guns). Flagship of Miguel de Oquendo.
  • Santa Maria de la Rosa (or Nuestra Señora de la Rosa). (47 guns). Vice-flagship.
  • San Salvador (25 guns).
  • San Esteban (26 guns).
  • Santa María (or Santa Marta). (20 guns).
  • Santa Barbara (12 guns).
  • San Buenaventura (21 guns).
  • La María San Juan (12 guns).
  • Santa Cruz (18 guns).
  • Doncella (16 guns).
  • Patache La Asunción (9 guns).
  • Patache San Bernabé (9 guns).
  • Pinaza Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (1 gun).
  • Pinaza Magdalena (1 gun).
More information Name, Type ...
Name Type Tons Built at Year built No of guns Crew Troops Fate
Santa Ana nao 1,200 Cantabria 1586 47 97 341 Lost at San Sebastian
Nuestra Señora de la Rosa
(or Santa María de la Rosa)		 nao 956 Cantabria 1587 26 85 238 Wrecked on Stromboli Reef at Blasket Sound, Ireland, 21 September 1588.
San Salvador nao 958 Cantabria 1586 25 90 281 Captured in the Channel, taken into Weymouth
San Esteban nao 936 Cantabria 1586 26 73 204 Wrecked near Doonbeg River, County Clare, Ireland.
Santa Marta
(or Santa María)		 nao 548 San Sebastian 1586 20 73 183 Returned to Guipúzcoa.
Santa Bárbara nao 525 Cantabria 1586 12 54 161 Returned to Guipúzcoa
San Buenaventura nao 379 Cantabria 1586 21 54 154 Returned to Guipúzcoa
María San Juan nao 291 Cantabria 1586 12 40 154 Returned to Lisbon
Santa Cruz nao 680 Genoa 1551 18 40 127 Returned to Santander
Doncella nao 500 Germany 1586 16 29 112 foundered when she returned to Santander
Asunción patache 60 Cantabria 1586 9 16 18 Returned to Guipúzcoa
San Bernabé patache 69 Cantabria 1586 9 17 17 Returned to San Sebastian
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe pinnace 50 Cantabria 1586 1 12 0 unknown
Magdalena pinnace 50 Cantabria 1586 1 14 0 unknown
Close

Squadron of Levantines

Ten Mediterranean merchant carracks (naos) embargoed in Sicily and in Lisbon (total seamen 767; total soldiers 2,780);

  • La Regazona (30 guns). Venetian merchantman. Flagship of Martín de Bertendona.
  • La Lavia (25 guns). Venetian merchantman. Vice-flagship.
  • Santa María (La Rata Encoronada) (35 guns). Genoese merchantman.
  • San Juan de Sicilia (26 guns). Ragusan merchantman.
  • La Trinidad Valencera (42 guns). Venetian merchantman.
  • Presveta Anunciada (24 guns). Ragusan merchantman.
  • San Nicolás Prodaneli (26 guns). Ragusan merchantman.
  • Juliana (32 guns). Catalan merchantman.
  • Santa María de Visón (de Biscione) (18 guns). Ragusan merchantman.
  • La Trinidad de Escala (22 guns). Genoese merchantman.
More information Name, Type ...
Name Type Tons Built at Year built No of guns Crew Troops Fate
Regazona nao 1,294 Ragusa, Sicily unknown 30 80 333 Returned to A Coruña very damaged, subsequently burned there by Sir Francis Drake in May 1589
Lavia nao 728 Venice unknown 25 71 271 Grounded near Streedagh Strand, ten miles North of Sligo town, Ireland.[5]
Santa María /
(Rata Encoronada)		 nao 820 Genoa unknown 35 93 344 Grounded and set alight, late September 1588 in Blacksod Bay, County Mayo, Ireland.
San Juan de Sicilia nao 800 Ragusa unknown 26 63 279 Vessel carrying 300 troops and silver plate for the use of noblemen was wrecked or run aground on the coast of Islay or Mull. Lachlan sent news of the ship to James VI at Stirling Castle. Lachlan Mòr befriended the crew and borrowed two cannon and 100 soldiers to besiege the house of Angus MacAulay, leaving a hostage as a pledge. After this, a man called John Smallet set a fuse made of lint in the gunpowder store and blew the ship up [6] in Tobermory harbour, Isle of Mull, Scotland.In October 1588 he gathered a force including 100 Spanish soldiers against Clan MacDonald of Clanranald and raided the Isles of Canna, Rùm, Eigg, and "Elennole", and besieged Mingary Castle, the stronghold of Clan MacDonald of Ardnamurchan.[7]
Trinidad Valencera nao 1,100 Venice 1586 42 75 338 Wrecked, 16 September 1588 at Glenagivney, Kinnagoe Bay Inishowen, County Donegal, Ireland.
Presveta Anunciada nao 703 Ragusa unknown 24 80 200 Anchored in the mouth of the River Shannon at Scattery Roads, Ireland, and was burnt and abandoned by her crew who were rescued by other Armada ships.
San Nicolás Prodaneli nao 834 Ragusa unknown 26 68 226 Anchored in the mouth of the River Shannon at Scattery Roads, Ireland, and was burnt and abandoned by her crew who were rescued by other Armada ships.
Juliana nao 860 Genoa unknown 32 65 290 Grounded near Streedagh Strand, ten miles North of Sligo town, Ireland.[5]
Santa María de Visón nao 666 Ragusa unknown 18 38 183 Grounded near Streedagh Strand, ten miles North of Sligo town, Ireland.[5]
Trinidad de Escala nao 900 Genoa unknown 22 66 342 Returned to Spain (Santander) very damaged and was unrigged.
San Bautista de la Esperanza (omitted from most censuses) nao 300 Castro Urdiales,
Cantabria		 unknown 12 Returned to Spain.
Close

Squadron of Urcas

Twenty three ships (total seamen 608; total soldiers 3,121);

  • El Gran Grifón (38 guns). Flagship of Juan Gómez de Medina. Wrecked, 27 September 1588 at Stroms Hellier, Fair Isle, Shetland Islands, Scotland. Her three hundred sailors spent six weeks on the island.
  • San Salvador (24 guns). Vice-flagship.
  • Perro Marino (7 guns).
  • Falcon Blanco Mayor (16 guns).
  • Castillo Negro (27 guns). The ship foundered off County Donegal, Ireland.
  • Barca de Amburgo (or Barca de Hamburg) (23 guns). The ship sank during a storm south-west of Fair Isle, Scotland. Her crew were taken aboard El Gran Grifon and La Trinidad Valencera; both were later wrecked.
  • Casa de Paz Grande (26 guns).
  • San Pedro Mayor (29 guns) a crew of 28 mariners and also 113 Soldiers on board, was run aground in Hope Cove, Devon, on 7 November 1588 one of two hospital ships, the ship was a hulk (cargo). The crew walked to safety from the ship, Sir William Courtney looked after the 140 men
  • El Sansón (18 guns).
  • San Pedro Menor (18 guns).
  • Barca de Anzique (or Barca de Danzig) (26 guns).
  • Falcon Blanco Mediano (16 guns). Lost on Connemara coast, County Galway, possibly near Inish Boffin, on Freaghillaun Rock?, Ireland.
  • San Andrés (14 guns).
  • Casa de Paz Chica (15 guns).
  • Ciervo Volante (18 guns). She was wrecked off the west Irish coast.
  • Paloma Blanca (12 guns).
  • La Ventura (4 guns).
  • Santa Bárbara (10 guns).
  • Santiago (19 guns). Wrecked near Mosterhamn in Hardanger Fjord, south of Bergen, Norway.
  • David (7 guns).
  • El Gato (9 guns).
  • Esayas (4 guns).
  • San Gabriel (4 guns). Possibly wrecked near Kinlochbervie in the Scottish Highlands[8]

AS noted in the above lists 9 Spanish Armada vessels fates are listed as "Unknown". 9 unidentified Armada vessels were reported lost off Ireland:
County Donegal:
Six further ships — unidentified — were wrecked on the Donegal coast:

  • Two destroyed vessels at Killybegs (Crews later lost in Girona shipwreck)[9]
  • one at Mullaghderg:In 1797 a quantity of lead and some brass guns were raised from the wreck of an unknown Armada ship at Mullaghderg in County Donegal.
  • Two vessels:One at Rinn a' Chaislean.Two miles further south, in 1853, an anchor was recovered from another unknown Armada wreck.[10]
  • The sixth was found in 2010 at Burtonport.[11]

County Mayo:
Three vessels lost County Mayo:

  • In September 1588 a galleon was wrecked at Tyrawley (modern County Mayo). Tradition has it that another ship was wrecked in the vicinity, near Kid Island, but no record remains of this event. Survivors are reported to have come from a wreck in Broadhaven of another ship, which had entered that bay without masts.

Squadron of Communication

Twenty two Pataches and Zabras (5 to 10 guns) under Don Antonio Hurtado de Mendoza (total seamen 574; total soldiers 479);

  • Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza[12]
  • La Caridad Inglesa[13]
  • San Andrés Escosés (sic) (San Andrés Escocés) [14]
  • El Santo Crucifijo[15]
  • Nuestra Señora del Puerto
  • La Concepción de Carasa
  • Nuestra Señora Begoña
  • La Concepción Capetillo
  • San Jeronimo
  • Nuestra Señora de Gracia
  • La Concepción Francisco de Latero
  • Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
  • San Francisco
  • Espiritu Santo
  • Trinidad (zabra)
  • Nuestra Señora de Castro (zabra)
  • Santo Andres
  • La Concepción de Valmeseda
  • La Concepción de Somanila
  • San Juan de Carasa
  • Asunción

Squadron of São João Galleons of Portugal

Squadron of Galleons under Admiral Juan Martínez de Recalde (total rowers 888; no soldiers);[16]

  • San Juan de Portugal

Miscellaneous Caravels ("Round" caravels and Lateen caravels)

  • São Lourenço
  • Santo António (1ª)
  • Nossa Senhora da Conceição (1ª)
  • Jesus da Ajuda
  • São João
  • Santo António (2ª)
  • A Conceição (2ª)
  • São Jorge
  • Nossa Senhora da Assunção
  • Conceição (3ª)
  • Santo António (3ª)
  • Nossa Senhora da Assunção (Nossa Senhora da Conceição (2ª), possibly did not join the expedition beyond Corunna. Only eleven left Lisbon, and possibly about 9 or 10 (?), after the storm, left Corunna).[17]

Complement of the Fleet

  • 141 ships.[18]
  • 8,766 sailors.
  • 21,556 soldiers.
  • 2,088 convict rowers[19]

Ship Types

Source[20]

Galleon

  • Pronunciation: /ˈɡæliən/ GAL-ee-ən. Etymology: Old Spanish galeón, from Middle French galion, from Old French galie. Date: 1529.

Galleon: A heavy square-rigged sailing ship of the 16th to early 18th centuries used for war or commerce especially by the Spanish. They were the fastest ships built during the 16th century. Galleons were large, multi-decked sailing ships first used as armed cargo carriers. The full body of the fleet took two days to leave port. A typical Spanish galleon was 100–150 feet in length and 40–50 feet wide.[21]

Galley

  • Pronunciation: /ˈɡæli/ GAL-ee. Etymology: Middle English galeie, from Anglo-French galie, galee, ultimately from Middle Greek galea. Date: 13th century.

Galley: A ship or boat propelled solely or chiefly by oars:

  1. a long low ship used for war and trading especially in the Mediterranean Sea from the Middle Ages to the 19th century;
  2. also : galleass : a warship of classical antiquity — compare bireme, trireme;
  3. a large open boat (as a gig) formerly used in England.[22]

Galleass

  • Pronunciation: /ˈɡæliəs/ GAL-ee-əs. Etymology: Middle French galeasse, from Old French galie galley. Date: 1544.

Galleass: A large fast galley used especially as a warship by Mediterranean countries in the 16th and 17th centuries and having both sails and oars but usually propelled chiefly by rowing.[23]

Urca

  • "The urcas, supply hulks, had largely been requisitioned when they sailed into Spanish ports, regardless of their owners' rights and wishes. Baltic made urcas with two lateen mizzen masts were unable to sail close to the wind. They were also no good for fitting fighting 'castles' to. Some urcas came from Hanseatic ports. In all there were twenty three urcas in the fleet."[24]

Zabra

  • Zabras were small or midsized two-masted sailing ships used off the coasts of Spain and Portugal to carry goods by sea from the 13th century until the mid-16th century; they were well-armed to defend themselves against pirates and privateers.

Patache

  • A patache is a type of sailing vessel with two masts, very light and shallow, a sort of cross between a brig and a schooner, which originally was a warship, being intended for surveillance and inspection of the coasts and ports.

Pinaza

  • The pinaza (pinnace) is a light boat, propelled by oars or sails, carried aboard merchant and war vessels to serve as a tender.

Caravel

  • Latin-rigged Caravel (Lateen Caravel), a highly manoeuvrable sailing ship. The lateen sails gave her speed and the capacity for sailing to windward (beating). Caravels were used especially by the Portuguese for the oceanic exploration voyages during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Square-rigged caravel (Round caravel)

  • the Square-rigged caravel is another type of caravel which is a combination of the carrack and the caravel, distinguished from both ships by its combined sails, with four or more masts, usually three with lateen rigged sails and the fore-mast with two square sails, and by its hull design which is narrower and longer (with a sterncastle, forecastle and a galleon design). It is doubtful that the caravels of Portugal in the Spanish Armada - with the assistance mission, support, and transport of provisions and military items - had the size and the heavy weaponry of the other traditional Portuguese large Caravelas de Armada (Square-rigged caravels).

Nao (Carrack)

  • A three- or four-masted ocean-going sailing ships that are developed from the 14th Century to the 17th Century.

Summary of Armada Make Up

  • Total Number of Ships Mustered at A Coruña = 137[25]
  • Total tons of Shipping at Muster = 58,705
  • Total people on ships, soldiers & sailors = 25,826 people
  • Total number of Guns = 2,477
  • Total Number of Ships Lost/Burned/Missing = to 44[26][27]
  • Total Number that Failed to Start to leave Coruña = 5

By 5LK

Collecting Data/ Under Construction

See also

References

Bibliography

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