THE SPANISH ARMADA ORDER OF BATTLE

(upon entering the English Channel on 30 July 1588):

(Note: data derives from a letter titled “La Felicissima Armada,” printed in Lisbon in 1588 [minus the four galleys and the Biscayan flagship that left the fleet in the Bay of Biscay during transit], with corrections made for math errors in the original document).

Admiral – Alonso de Guzman, Duke of Medina Sidonia

Vice Admiral – Juan Martínez Recalde

PORTUGUESE SQUADRON – 12 ships (under Duke of Medina Sidonia)

San Martin (flagship) –     1,000 tons, 48 guns, 477 crewmen (300 soldiers, 177 mariners).

San Juan (vice-flagship) – 1,050 tons, 50 guns, 500 crewmen (321 soldiers, 179 mariners).

San Marcos –                     790 tons, 33 guns, 409 crewmen (292 soldiers, 117 mariners).

San Felipe –                        800 tons, 40 guns, 532 crewmen (415 soldiers, 117 mariners).

San Luis –                           830 tons, 38 guns, 492 crewmen (376 soldiers, 116 mariners).

San Mateo –                       750 tons, 34 gun, 397 crewmen (277 soldiers, 120 mariners).

Santiago –                          520 tons, 24 guns, 393 crewmen (300 soldiers, 93 mariners).

Florencia –                         961 tons, 52 guns, 486 crewmen (400 soldiers, 86 mariners).

San Cristobal –                  352 tons, 20 guns, 378 crewmen (300 soldiers, 78 mariners).

San Bernando –                 352 tons, 21 guns, 331 crewmen (250 soldiers, 81 mariners).

Augusta (zabra) –              166 ton, 13 guns, 112 crewmen (55 soldiers, 57 mariners).

Julia (zabra) –                    166 tons, 14 guns, 116 crewmen (44 soldiers, 72 mariners).

Summary: ten galleons and two messenger craft (zabras) carrying 3,330 soldiers and 4,623 mariners.

CASTILIAN SQUADRON – 16 ships (nominally under DonDiego Flores de Valdés)

San Cristóbal (flagship) –                     700 tons, 36 guns, 225 crewmen (205 soldiers, 120 mariners).

San Juan Bautista –                              750 tons, 24 guns, 243 crewmen (207 soldiers, 136 mariners).

San Pedro –                                           530 tons, 24 guns, 272 crewmen (141 soldiers, 131 mariners).

San Juan –                                             530 tons, 24 guns, 276 crewmen (163 soldiers, 113 mariners).

Santiago el Mayor –                              530 tons, 24 guns, 343 crewmen (210 soldiers, 132 mariners).

San Felipe y Santiago –                        530 tons, 24 guns, 267 crewmen (151 soldiers, 116 mariners).

Asuncion  –                                            539 tons 24 guns, 313 crewmen (199 soldiers, 114 mariners).

Nuestro Señora del Barrio –                 530 tons, 24 guns, 263 crewmen (155 soldiers, 108 mariners).

San Medel y Celedon –                        530 tons, 24 guns, 261 crewmen (160 soldiers, 101 mariners).

Santa Ana –                                           250 tons, 24 guns, 171 crewmen (91 soldiers, 80 mariners).

Nuestro Señora de Begoña –              750 tons, 24 guns, 297 crewmen (174 soldiers, 123 mariners).

Trinidad –                                               872 tons, 24 guns, 302 crewmen (180 soldiers, 122 mariners).

Santa Catalina –                                     882 tons, 24 guns, 349 crewmen (190 soldiers, 159 mariners).

San Juan Bautista –                               650 tons, 24 guns, 285 crewmen (192 soldiers, 93 mariners).

Nuestro Señora del Socorro (patache) – 75 tons, 12 guns, 45 crewmen (20 soldiers, 25 mariners).

San Antonio de Padua (patache) –          75 tons, 12 guns, 66 crewmen (20 soldiers, 46 mariners).

Summary: ten galleons, four carracks and two messenger craft (pataches) carrying 2,458 soldiers and 1,719 mariners.

BISCAYAN SQUADRON – 13 ships (de facto under Admiral Juan Martínez de Recalde)

Gran Grin (vice flagship) –              1,160 tons, 28 guns, 329 crewmen (256 soldiers, 73 mariners).

Santiago –                                        666 tons, 25 guns, 316 crewmen (214 soldiers,  102 mariners).

Concepcion de Zubelzu –               486 tons, 16 guns, 160 crewmen (90 soldiers, 70 mariners).

Concepcion de Juanes del Cano – 418 tons, 18 guns, 225 crewmen (164 soldiers, 61mariners).

Magdalena –                                      530 tons, 18 guns, 260 crewmen (193 soldiers, 67 mariners).

San Juan –                                         350 tons 21 guns, 194 crewmen (114 soldiers, 80 mariners).

Maria Juan –                                      665 tons, 24 guns, 272 crewmen (172 soldiers, 100 mariners).

Manuela –                                          520 tons, 12 guns, 179 crewmen (125 soldiers, 54 mariners).

Santa Maria de Monte-Mayor –      707 tons, 18 guns, 251 crewmen (206 soldiers, 45 mariners).

Maria de Aquirre (patache) –          70 tons, 6 guns, 43 crewmen (20 soldiers, 23 mariners).

Isabela (patache) –                           71 tons, 10 guns, 42 crewmen (20 soldiers, 22 mariners).

Miguel Suso (patache) –                  36 tons, 6 guns, 46 crewmen (20 soldiers, 26 mariners).

San Estéban (patache) –                  96 tons, 6 guns, 46 crewmen (20 soldiers, 26 mariners).

Summary: nine carracks and four messenger craft carrying 1,614 soldiers and 749 mariners.

ANDALUSIAN SQUADRON – 11 ships (under Admiral Don Pedro de Valdés)

Nuestro Señora del Rosario (flagship) – 1,150 tons, 46 guns, 422 crewmen (304 soldiers, 118 mariners).

San Francisco (vice flagship) –                915 tons, 21 guns, 278 crewmen (222 soldiers, 56 mariners).

San Juan –                                                 810 tons, 31 guns, 334 crewmen (245 soldiers, 89 sailors).

San Juan de Gargarin –                            569 tons, 16 guns, 221 crewmen (165 soldiers, 56 mariners).

Concepcion –                                            862 tons, 20 guns, 256 crewmen (185 soldiers, 71 mariners).

Duquesa Santa Ana –                               900 tons, 23 guns, 357 crewmen (280 soldiers, 77 mariners).

Santa Catalina –                                        730 tons, 23 guns, 308 crewmen (231 soldiers, 77 mariners).

Trinidad –                                                   650 tons, 13 guns, 266 crewmen (192 soldiers, 74 mariners).

Santa Maria del Juncal –                         730 tons, 20 guns, 308 crewmen (228 soldiers, 80 mariners).

San Bartolomé –                                       976 tons, 27 guns, 312 crewmen (240 soldiers, 72 mariners).

Espiritu Santo (patache) –                       ? tons, ? guns, 43 crewmen (33 soldiers, 10 mariners).

Summary: 11 carracks or urcas and one messenger craft carrying 2,325 soldiers and 780 mariners.

GUIPÚZCOAN SQUADRON – 12 ships (under Admiral Miguel de Oquendo)

Santa Ana (flag ship) –                                   1,200 tons, 47 guns, 385 crewmen (303 soldiers, 82 mariners).

Nuestro Señora de la Rosa (vice flagship) – 945 tons, 26 guns, 297 crewmen (233 soldiers, 64 mariners).

San Salvador –                                                958 tons, 25 guns, 396 crewmen (321  soldiers, 75 mariners).

San Estéban –                                                 736 tons, 26 guns, 264 crewmen (196 soldiers, 68 mariners).

Santa Marta –                                                  548 tons, 20 guns, 236 crewmen (173 soldiers, 63 mariners).

Santa Barbara –                                              525 tons, 12 guns, 199 crewmen (154 soldiers, 45 mariners).

San Buenaventura –                                       379 tons, 21 guns, 221 crewmen (168 soldiers, 53 mariners).

Maria San Juan –                                            291 tons, 12 guns, 140 crewmen (110 soldiers, 30 mariners).

Santa Cruz –                                                   680 tons, 16 guns, 188 crewmen (156 soldiers, 32 mariners).

Doncella –                                                       500 tons, 16 guns, 188 crewmen (156 soldiers, 32 mariners).

Asuncion (patache) –                                           60 tons, 9 guns, 43 crewmen (20 soldiers, 23 mariners).

San Bernabe (patache) –                                     69 tons, 9 guns, 43 crewmen (20 soldiers, 23 mariners).

Summary: 10 carracks or urcas,  and two messenger craft carrying 2,010 soldiers and 558 mariners.

LEVANTINE SQUADRON – 10 ships (under Admiral Martin de Bertendona)

Regazona (flagship) –     1,249 tons, 30 guns, 424 crewmen (344 soldiers, 80 mariners).

Lavia (vice flagship) –     728 tons, 25 guns,274 crewmen (203 soldiers, 71 mariners).

La Rata Encoronada –    820 tons, 35 guns, 419 crewmen (335 soldiers, 84 mariners).

San Juan de Sicilia –      800 tons, 26 guns, 342 crewmen (279 soldiers, 63 mariners).

Trinidad Valencera –      1,100 tons, 42 guns, 360 crewmen (281 soldiers, 79 mariners).

Anunciada –                    703 tons, 24 guns, 275 crewmen (196 soldiers, 79 mariners).

San Nicolas Prodaneli – 834 tons, 26 guns, 355 crewmen (374 soldiers, 81 mariners).

Juliana –                         860 tons, 32 guns, 395 crewmen (325 soldiers, 70 mariners).

Santa Maria de Vison –  666 tons, 18 guns, 307 crewmen (236 soldiers, 71 mariners).

Trinidad de Scala –        900 tons, 22 guns, 386 crewmen (307 soldiers, 79 mariners).

Summary: 10 carracks carrying 2,880 soldiers and 757 mariners.

GALLEASSES OF NAPLES – 4 ships (under Admiral Don Hugo de Moncada) [tonnage estimated]

San Lorenzo (flag ship) – 380 tons, 50 guns, 386 crewmen (262 soldiers, 300 rowers, 124 mariners).

Patrona Zuniga –              380 tons, 50 guns, 290 crewmen (178 soldiers, 300 rowers, 112 mariners).

Girona –                            380 tons, 50 guns, 289 crewmen (169 soldiers, 300 rowers, 120 mariners).

Napolitana –                     380 tons, 50 guns, 376 crewmen (264 soldiers, 300 rowers, 112 mariners).

Summary: 4 galleasses (propelled by sails and oars) carrying 873 soldiers, 1,200 rowers, and 468 mariners.

SUPPLY SQUADRON – 23 ships (under Admiral Juan Gomes de Medina)

Gran Grifon (flagship) –           650 tons, 38 guns, 286 crewmen (243 soldiers, 43 mariners).

San Salvador (vice flagship) – 650 tons, 24 guns, 261 crewmen (218 soldiers, 43 mariners).

Perro Marina –                         200 tons, 7 guns, 94 crewmen (70 soldiers, 24 mariners).

Falcon Blanco Mayor –            500 tons, 16 guns, 197 crewmen (161 soldiers, 36 mariners).

Castillo Negro –                       750 tons, 27 guns, 273 crewmen (239 soldiers, 34 mariners.

Barca de Amburg –                  600 tons, 23 guns, 264 crewmen (239 soldiers, 25 mariners).

Casa de Paz Grande –              650 tons, 26 guns, 225 crewmen (198 soldiers, 27 mariners).

San Pedro Mayor –                  581 tons, 29 guns, 241crewmen (213 soldiers, 28 mariners).

El Sanson –                               500 tons, 18 guns, 231 crewmen (200 soldiers, 31 mariners).

San Pedro Menor –                   500 tons, 18 guns, 180 crewmen (157 soldiers, 23 mariners).

Barca de Anzique –                  450 tons, 26 guns, 225 crewmen (200 soldiers, 25 mariners).

Falcon Blanco Mediano –        300 tons, 16 guns, 103 crewmen (76 soldiers, 27 mariners).

Santo Andres –                         400 tons, 14 guns, 178 crewmen (150 soldiers, 28 mariners).

Casa de Paz Chica –                350 tons, 15 guns, 186 crewmen (162 soldiers, 24 mariners).

Ciervo Volante –                     400 tons, 18 guns, 222 crewmen (200 soldiers, 22 mariners).

Paloma Blanca  –                    250 tons, 12 guns, 76 crewmen (56 soldiers, 20 mariners).

Ventura –                                  160 tons, 4 guns, 72 crewmen (58 soldiers, 14 mariners).

Santa Barbara –                       370 tons, 10 guns, 92 crewmen (70 soldiers, 22 mariners).

Santiago –                                600 tons, 19 guns, 86 crewmen (56 soldiers, 30 mariners).

David –                                      450 tons, 7 guns, 74 crewmen (50 soldiers 24 mariners).

El Gato –                                   400 tons, 9 guns, 62 crewmen (40 soldiers, 22 mariners).

Esayas –                                   260 tons, 4 guns, 46 crewmen (30 soldiers, 16 mariners).

San Gabriel –                           280 tons, 4 guns, 55 crewmen (35 soldiers, 20 mariners).

Summary: 2 carracks and 21 supply hulks carrying stores, army siege guns, 3,121 soldiers and 608 mariners.

SQUADRON OF MESSENGERS AND SCOUTS – 22 ships (under Admiral Don Antonio Hurtado de Mendoza)

Nuestro Señora del Pilar de Zaragoza (flagship) –  300 tons, 11 guns, 160 crewmen (109 soldiers, 51 mariners).

Caridad –                                                                    180 tons, 12 guns, 106 crewmen (70 soldiers, 36 mariners).

San Andres –                                                             150 tons, 12 guns, 69 crewmen, (40 soldiers, 29 mariners).

El Crucifijo –                                                              150 tons, 8 guns, 96 crewmen (40 soldiers, 29 mariners).

Nuestro Señora del Puerto –                                    55 tons, 8 guns, 63 crewmen (30 soldiers, 33 mariners).

Concepcion de Carasa –                                          70 tons, 5 guns, 72 crewmen (30 soldiers, 42 mariners).

Nuestro Señora de Begoña –                                   64 tons, ? guns, 46 crewmen (20 soldiers 26 mariners).

Concepcion de Capetillo –                                       60 tons, 1 0 guns, 46 crewmen (20 soldiers, 26 mariners).

San Jeronimo –                                                          50 tons, 4 guns, 57 crewmen (20 soldiers, 37 mariners).  

Nuestro Señora  de Gracia –                                    57 tons, 5 guns, 54 crewmen (20 soldiers, 34 mariners).

Concepcion de Francisco de Latero –                    75 tons, 6 guns, 49 crewmen (20 soldiers, 29 mariners).

Nuestro Señora de Guadalupe –                              70 tons, ? guns, 62 crewmen (20 soldiers, 42 mariners).

San Francisco –                                                         79 tons, ? guns, 57 crewmen (20 soldiers, 37 mariners).

Espiritu Santo –                                                         75 tons, ? guns, 67 crewmen (20 soldiers, 47 mariners).

Trinidad –                                                                   ? tons, 2 guns, 23 mariners.

Nuestro Señora de Castro –                                     ? tons, 2 guns, 26 mariners.

Santo Andres –                                                          ? tons, 2 guns, 15 mariners.

Concepcion de Valmaseda –                                   ? tons, 2 guns, 27 mariners.

Concepcion de Somanila –                                      ? tons, ? guns, 31 mariners.

Santa Catalina –                                                        ? tons, ? guns, 23 mariners.

San Juan de Carasa –                                               ? tons, ? guns, 23 mariners.

Asuncion –                                                                 ? tons, ? guns, 23 mariners.

Summary: one galleon, 3 ships. and 18 pataches or zabras, with 479 soldiers and 574 mariners.

Summary of Spanish Armada order of battle on 30 July 1588

Total ships: 123

Total auxiliary combatants: 40

Total ‘first-rate’ combatants: 28*

Total soldiers: 19,090

Total mariners: 10,836

Total personnel: approximately 31,000

(Note: Only 65 ships and approximately 10,000 personnel ever returned to Spain).

* 20 galleons, 4 “greatships,” and 4 galleasses cab be considered as first-rate combatants. The armed merchant carracks and some armed “urcas” (smaller merchant ships) cab be considered as auxiliary combatants.

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ORDER OF BATTLE OF THE ENGLISH COMBINED FLEET

(at Plymouth Harbor, 30 July 1588)

(Note1: Data derives from “State Papers Relating to The Defeat of the Spanish Armada, Vol. II,” edited by John Knox Laughton for the Navy Records Society, published in 1900).

(Note 2: The English combined fleet was not organized into formal squadrons, just 4-5 ad hoc columns that formed during the conduct of the  battle).

(Note 3: The tonnage and number of guns per ship are estimates. Some educated guesses were required to place certain auxiliary ships in Plymouth on 30 July. Data is not available for the armaments of the auxiliary ships [probably # guns per ton, per tradition]. The number of soldiers on auxiliaries is unknown [likely minimal]).

Admiral – Charles, Lord Howard of Effingham

Vice Admiral – Sir Francis Drake

Rear Admiral – John Hawkins

Rear Admiral – Martin Frobisher

FIRST-RATE COMBATANTS – 16 galleons or greatships with 2,910 mariners and  1,321 soldiers.

Ark Royal (flagship) –       800 tons, 44 guns, 425 crewmen (126 soldiers, 270 mariners).

Revenge (vice flagship) – 500 tons, 46 guns, 250 crewmen (76 soldiers, 150 mariners).

Elizabeth Bonaventure – 600 tons, 47 guns, 250 crewmen (76 soldiers, 150 mariners).

Golden Lion –                   500 tons, 38 guns, 250 crewmen (76 soldiers, 150 mariners) .

White Bear –                         1,000 tons, 57 guns, 500 crewmen (150 soldiers, 300 mariners).

Nonpareil –                       500 tons, 42 guns, 250 crewmen (76 soldiers, 150 mariners).

Elizabeth Jonas –             900 tons, 56 guns, 500 crewmen (150 soldiers, 300 mariners).

Victory (rear flagship) –   800 tons, 58 guns, 400 crewmen (126 soldiers, 270 mariners).

Triumph (rear flagship) – 1,100 tons, 58 guns, 500 crewmen (160 soldiers, 300 mariners).

Dreadnaught –                 400 tons, 41 guns, 200 crewmen (40 soldiers, 130 mariners).

Mary Rose –                     600 tons, 40 guns, 250 crewmen (76 soldiers, 150 mariners).

Hope –                              600 tons, 48 guns, 250 crewmen (85 soldiers, 160 mariners).

Swiftsure –                       400 tons, 42 guns, 180 crewmen (40 soldiers, 120 mariners).

Swallow –                         360 tons, 34 guns, 160 crewmen (30 soldiers, 110 mariners).

Foresight –                       300 tons, 37 guns,  160 crewmen (20 soldiers, 110 mariners).

Aid –                                  250 tons, 28 guns,  120 crewmen (14 soldiers, 90 mariners).

AUXILIARY COMBATANTS – 37 (galleons, greatships, or barks with 972 crewmen).

(Note: The number of guns or soldiers aboard is unknown – the larger ships [200 tons and above] were probably almost as well armed as the first-rate combatants).

Galleon Leicester –       400 tons, 160 crewmen.

Merchant Royal  –         400 tons, 160 crewmen.

Edward Bonaventure – 300 tons,120 crewmen.

Roebuck –                         300 tons, 120 crewmen.

Sampson –                    300 tons, 108 crewmen.

Galleon Dudley –          250 tons, 96 crewmen.

Golden Noble –             250 tons, 110 crewmen.

Minion of Bristol –        230 tons, 110 crewmen.

Susan Parnell –             220 tons, 80 crewmen.

Violet –                           220 tons, 60 crewmen.

Griffin –                          200 tons, 100 crewmen.

George Bonaventure – 200 tons, 80 crewmen.

Margaret and John –    200 tons, 90 crewmen.

Minion –                         200 tons, 80 crewmen.

Bark Talbot –                 200 tons, 90 crewmen.

Thomas Drake –             200 tons, 80 crewmen.

Spark –                          200 tons, 90 crewmen.

Hopewell –                        200 tons, 100 crewmen.

Virgin God save her –   200 tons, 70 crewmen.

Hope Hawkins –            200 tons, 80 crewmen.

Edward of Maldon –      186 tons, 30 crewmen.

Anne Frances –             180 tons, 70 crewmen.

Solomon –                         170 tons, 80 crewmen.

Bark St. Leger –             160 tons, 80 crewmen.

Bark Manington –         160 tons, 80 crewmen.

Vineyard –                     160 tons, 60 crewmen.

Nightingale –                 160 tons, 16 crewmen.

Bark Bond –                      150 tons, 70 crewmen.

Bark Bonner –                   150 tons, 70 crewmen.

Bark Hawkins –             150 tons, 70 crewmen.

Samuel –                        140 tons, 50 crewmen.

Frances –                       140 tons, 60 crewmen.

Bear Yonge –                    140 tons, 70 crewmen.

White Lion –                  140 tons, 50 crewmen.

Unicorn –                       130 tons, 66 crewmen.

William –                        120 tons, 60 crewmen.

Jane Bonaventure –     100 tons, 50 crewmen.

SCOUTS AND MESSENGERS – 22 (pinnaces with 604 crewmen (estimated to carry several guns each).

Bark Buggins –           80 tons, 50 crewmen.

Elizabeth Founes –   80 tons, 50 crewmen.

Disdain –                       80 tons, 50 crewmen.

Unity –                           80 tons, 40 crewmen.

Golden Hind –             50 tons, 30 crewmen.

Elizabeth Drake –      60 tons, 30 crewmen.

Makeshift –                  60 tons, 40 crewmen.

Diamond –                    60 tons, 40 crewmen.

Speedwell –                 60 tons, 14 crewmen.

Chance –                      60 tons, 40 crewmen.

Delight –                       50 tons, 40 crewmen.

Lark –                            50 tons, 20 crewmen.

Fancy –                          50 tons, 20 crewmen.

Nightingale –               40 tons, 30 crewmen.

Flyboat Yonge –         50 tons, 50 crewmen.

Marigold –                    30 tons, 12 crewmen.

Gallego –                       30 tons, 20 crewmen.

Black Dog –                  20 tons, 10 crewmen.

Katharine –                   20 tons, 10 crewmen.

Pippin –                         20 tons, 8 crewmen.

Hearts-ease –             ? tons, 24 crewmen

Unnamed caravel –   30 tons, 20 crewmen

STORE SHIPS – 15 (barks holding 40-70 men each – 690 total crewmen).(Note: tonnage unknown): Mary Rose, Elizabeth Bonaventure, Pelican, Hope, Unity, Pearl, Elizabeth, John, Bearsabe, Marigold, White Hind, Gift of God, Jonas, Solomon, Richard Duffield.

SUMMARY OF HOWARD’S COMBINED FLEET (in Plymouth Harbor)

Total ships: 90*

Total auxiliary combatants: 37

Total ‘first-rate’ combatants: 16

Total (known) soldiers: 1,321

Total mariners: 5,176

Total personnel: 7,896**

* (Note: Howard initially engaged the Armada off Plymouth with 65 combatants)

**(Note: I did not list the number of gunners – English records break them out separately – hence the discrepancy in the total manpower count).

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THE NARROW SEAS FLEET

Admiral – Sir Henry Seymour

Vice Admiral – Sir William Wynter

 Rear Admiral – Sir Henry Palmer

(Note: The reinforced Channel Guard, known as the “Narrow Seas Fleet,”  was stationed at the Downs anchorage in the Strait of Dover. I made some educated guesses regarding the presence of some of the listed auxiliaries on that date).

ROYAL SHIPS – 17 (Note: the first five ships are galleons that can be considered as first-rate combatants, the rest are support ships or scouts)

Rainbow (flagship) –          500 tons, 40 guns, 250 crewmen (76 soldiers, 150 mariners).

Vanguard (vice flagship) – 500 tons, 40 guns, 250 crewmen (76 soldiers, 150 mariners).

Antelope (rear flagship) –  400 tons, 38 guns, 160 crewmen (30 soldiers, 120 mariners).

Bull –                                   200 tons, 26 guns, 100 crewmen (8 soldiers, 80 mariners).

Tiger –                                 200 tons, 26 guns, 100 crewmen (8 soldiers, 80 mariners).

Tramontana –                     150 tons, 18 guns, 70 crewmen (7 soldiers, 55 mariners).

Scout –                                120 tons, 18 guns, 70 crewmen (7 soldiers, 55 mariners).

Achates –                                 100 tons, 16 guns, 60 crewmen (7 soldiers, 45 mariners).

George Hoy –                     100 tons, 4 guns, 24 crewmen.

Charles –                            70 tons, 12 guns, 45 crewmen.

Moon –                               60 tons, 12 guns, 40 crewmen.

Advice –                            50 tons, 10 guns, 40 crewmen.

Merlin –                              50 tons, 10 guns, 35 crewmen.

Spy –                                   50 tons, 10 guns, 40 crewmen.

Sun –                                   40 tons, 8 guns, 30 crewmen.

Cygnet –                             30 tons, 0 guns, 20 crewmen.

Brigandine –                           90 tons, 0 guns, 35 crewmen.

Summary: 5 first-rate galleons plus 12 support ships and scouts carrying 1,044 mariners and 219 soldiers)

AUXILIARY SHIPS – 23 (merchant ships and barks with 1,129 crewmen [unknown number of guns])

Daniel –                           160 tons, 70 mariners.

Galleon Hutchins –       150 tons, 60 mariners.

Bark Lamb –                   150 tons, 60 mariners.

Grace of Yarmouth –    150 tons, 70 mariners.

Mayflower –                   150 tons, 70 mariners.

Marigold –                      150 tons, 70 mariners.

William of Ipswich –     140 tons, 50 mariners.

Katharine of Ipswich – 125 tons, 50 mariners.

Primrose of  Harwich – 120 tons, 40 mariners.

Elizabeth of Dover –      120 tons, 70 mariners.

Robin of Sandwich –     110 tons, 65 mariners.

William of Colchester – 100 tons, 50 mariners.

William of Rye –             80 tons, 60 mariners.

Handmade –                   75 tons, 35 mariners.

Griffin –                           70 tons, 35 mariners.

Fancy –                           60 tons, 30 mariners.

Little Hare –                    90 tons, 0 guns, 35 mariners.

John Young –                 90 tons, 0 guns, 35 mariners.

Anne Bonaventure –     90 tons, 0 guns, 35 mariners.

Grace of God –               90 tons, 0 guns, 35 mariners.

Susan –                           90 tons, 0 guns, 35 mariners.

Matthew –                      90 tons, 0 guns, 35 mariners.

Hazard of Faversham – 38 tons, 0 guns, 34 mariners

(Note: About 20 volunteer ships followed Howard’s 90-ship combined fleet up the English Channel to rendezvous with Seymour’s 40 ships off the Picardy Coast on August 9th. About 23 supplies ships joined the fully concentrated English navy on Aug 10^th off Calais).

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COMPARISON OF ENGLISH AND SPANISH FLEETS OFF CALAIS on 9 AUGUST 1588

SPANISH

Total ships: 121*

Total armed auxiliary ships: 38*

Total ‘first-rate’ combatants: 28

Total soldiers: 18,490

Total mariners: 10,436

Total personnel: approximately 30,000**

*Two major combatants were lost to mishaps in the English Channel.

**Up to a thousand crewmen were killed or captured during the English Channel transit).

ENGLISH

Total ships: 150

Total auxiliary combatants: 60

Total ‘first-rate’ combatants: 21

Total (known) soldiers: 1,540

Total mariners: 8,249

Total personnel: 10,000+

(Note 1: Only the first-rate English combatants and the heaviest English auxiliaries fought Spanish combatants, except for the fight with the stranded galleass San Lorenzo off Calais).

(Note 2: Most of the English auxiliary combatants were much smaller than their Spanish counterparts and carried few if any soldiers).

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NAVY OF THE UNITED PROVINCES (DUTCH)

Admiral – Count Justinus of Nassau (of Zeeland)

Circa August 15th, Nassau dispatched 40 flyboats and cromsters to blockade the ports of Dunkirk and Nieuwpoort after the Armada left the area (purpose was to confine the Duke of Parm’s army to port).  

Admiral – Pieter Van der Does (of Holland)

Van der Does led a dozen Dutch flyboats and cromsters (plus a bark provided by William Borlas, the English military governor of Flushing) to take possession of two damaged Spanish galleons that had stranded off the Flemish coast on August 9th.*

* Flyboats are small, shallow-draft warships. Cromsters are small, shallow-draft gunboats.