Battle of the Gulf of Almería (1591)

The Battle of the Gulf of Almería, also known as the Battle of Almería Bay or the Battle of Cape of Palos, was a naval Spanish victory that took place in late August, 1591, off Almería, near the Cape Palos, during the Eighty Years' War and the Anglo–Spanish War (1585–1604).[1][2] The battle occurred when the Spanish fleet of the Adelantado of Castile, Don Martín de Padilla y Manrique, Count of Santa Gadea (in their return from the Republic of Venice to Spain with a valuable goods), sighted an Anglo-Dutch fleet in the waters of Almería, in the southern coast of Spain.[1][2] The Spanish fleet, led by Martín de Padilla, attacked with such fury the Anglo-Dutch fleet who managed to undo their training, achieving a great success.[3] About 20 Dutch ships and 3 English ships were captured by the Spaniards, and some ships of the rest of the Anglo-Dutch fleet were seriously damaged.[3] On the other hand, the Spanish losses were minimal.[3]

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[1][2]
Belligerents
United Provinces  England	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Unknown	Martín de Padilla
Strength
Unknown: 35 ships	Unknown: 20 ships
Casualties and losses
20 Dutch ships captured[3] 3 English ships captured[3]	None[3]

After the battle, the Spanish fleet victorious, entered the port of Almeria with the captured ships.[2]