APPENDIX B THE ENGLISH AND SPANISH FLEETS IN 1588
Reading edition
It is difficult to estimate the numbers of the fleets at any definite date. The lists collected by Captain Fernandez Duro in his work ‘La Armada Invencible’ differ widely. The tables of the Spanish fleet are based upon a careful study and comparison of these lists, especially Nos. 145, 150, and 180. It is worthy of note that the approximate total arrived at is that given by Admiral Pedro de Valdes to Drake as the strength of the Armada.
As regards tonnage, that of the English ships is, with few exceptions, calculated on the contemporary Burden Rule (length of keel, multiplied by the beam and the draft of water, and the product divided by 100), with 25 per cent. added. The amount added for ‘ton and tonnage’ varied from 25 to 33-1/3 per cent.
The tonnage of the Spanish ships is taken from the official figures. Mr. Julian Corbett thinks that the Spanish system of measurement gave results much higher than those of the English, but after studying and applying the English and Spanish rules to the same ship-dimensions, the authors have come to the conclusion that the discrepancy in this respect was non-existent. The Revenge by English measurement was 441 tons burden; by Spanish rules, apparently, 430. The main deduction, therefore, to be made from the Spanish figures is in respect of the difference between the Seville tonelada (53·44 cubic feet) and the English ton (60 cubic feet). But even here it cannot be said that this can be applied to any but the Andalucian ships. On the whole, if a fair comparison be needed, perhaps about 10 per cent. should be deducted from the official Spanish figures; but nothing definite can be said.
THE ENGLISH FLEET
Type of Ship. Name of Ship. Tonnage (Burden + ¼ Approx.). Guns (Approx.).
Royal galleons (21) Triumph 1,000 64
White Bear 900 60
Elizabeth Jonas 850 60
Victory 750 56
Ark Royal 700 56
Vanguard 550 44
Revenge 550 44
Hope 550 44
Nonpareil 550 44
Elizabeth Bonaventure 550 44
Golden Lion 550 44
Marie Rose 550 44
Rainbow 480 44
Antelope 480 44
Dreadnought 450 40
Swiftsure 450 40
Swallow 400 36
Foresight 375 36
Aid 300 32
Bull 200 24
Tiger 200 24
Royal barks, or small galleons (3) Tramontana 150 20
Scout 120 20
Achates 100 20
Armed private ships and barks (73) 2 400 —
4 300 —
5 250 —
19 250-200 —
19 200-150 —
24 100-150 —
Pinnaces and small craft (83) 18 of Royal Navy 20-100 —
65 private — —
Total vessels 180, excluding vessels fitting out.
Of these, some 35 were detached or paid off on account of sickness, 145 were present at Calais, 8 were burnt as fireships, leaving 137 in action at Gravelines.
Total crews about 14,000 men.
Commander-in-Chief Lord Howard of Effingham (Lord High Admiral of England).
Vice-Admiral Sir Francis Drake.
Rear-Admiral Mr. (afterwards Sir John) Hawkins.
2nd Rear-Admiral Mr. (afterwards Sir Martin) Frobisher.
Admiral of Channel Guard Lord Henry Seymour.
THE SPANISH FLEET
Type of Ship. Name of Ship. Official Tonnage. Guns.
Royal galleons (18) San Juan 1,050 50
San Martin 1,000 48
San Luis 830 38
San Felipe 800 40
San Marcos 790 38
San Mateo 750 34
San Juan Bautista 750 34
San Christobal (Castille) 700 36
San Juan el Menor 530 24
Sant’ Jago el Mayor 530 24
La Asuncion 530 24
San Medel y Celedon 530 24
San Felipe y Sant’ Jago 530 24
San Pedro 530 24
Sant’ Jago el Menor 520 24
San Christobal (Portugal) 350 24
San Bernado 350 24
Santa Aña 250 24
Italian galleon (1) San Francesco de Florencia 960 52
Galleasses (4) San Lorenzo 1,000 50
Napolitana 1,000 50
Girona 1,000 50
Zuñiga 1,000 50
Armed private galleons and great ships (41) 1 1,250 —
1 1,200 —
2 1,150 —
1 1,100 —
4 over 900 —
8 over 800 —
7 over 700 —
6 over 600 —
5 over 500 —
2 over 400 —
4 over 300 —
Armed urcas 27 150-900 —
Large zabras (barks) 4 150-160 —
Pinnaces and small armed craft of all kinds 30 approx. 40-100 —
Water caravels 9 approx. — —
Feluccas 7 approx. — —
Total vessels 141
Of these, apparently 3 large ships and 14 small craft parted company or were captured in the Channel, so that at Calais the total number was 124.
Total of seamen about 7,500
Total of soldiers about 17,000
Total of volunteers, gentlemen, etc. about 1,000
Total of galley slaves about 1,000
Grand total 26,500
Commander-in-Chief Alonso Perez de Guzman, Duque de Medina Sidonia.
Chief of Staff and virtual Commander Don Diego Flores de Valdes.
Lieutenant-General Don Alonso Martinez de Leyva.
Vice-Admiral Don Juan Martinez de Recalde.
Brigaded Troops on Board the Armada.
Brigade (Tercio). Maestro de Campo.
Tercio de Sicilia Don Diego de Pimentel.
Tercio de Napoles Don Alonso de Luzon.
Tercio de Entre Douro y Minho Don Francisco Alvarez de Toledo.
Tercio de Isla Don Nicolas de Isla.
Tercio de Mexìa Don Agostin de Mexìa.
MARTELLO TOWERS ON THE SUSSEX COAST ERECTED DURING THE PERIOD OF NAPOLEON’S PROJECTED INVASION.