All About Armada - By: David Bunch

The Armada finally cast anchor near Calais, France. This is just across the narrow Straits of Calais from the English coast at Dover. The Spanish admiral sent messengers to the general commanding the Spanish troops in Belgium. He said the Armada was ready to try to make a landing on the English coast. The Spanish general said it was impossible to cross the Channel while the English fleet was still strong. He refused to put his soldiers on the barges until the Armada had defeated the English fleet.

The English fleet took on new provisions and a supply of gunpowder. The fleet sailed out again to meet the Spanish Armada. The English admiral, Lord Howard, decided to try a trick on the Spanish. He had eight ships smeared with tar and filled with gunpowder. These ships were then set on fire and allowed to drift toward the Armada. When the Spanish saw these blazing ihips heading toward them, they were hrown into a panic. They cut their ;ables and attempted to clear away from [he French shore.

The Armada became scattered and the English ships were able to attack single Spanish ships and destroy them. The English ran out of ammunition; otherwise they might have destroyed the entire Armada. The Spanish hopes of an invasion were broken. The Spanish admiral decided to escape with what was left of his Armada. He was unwilling to sail back down the Channel and face the English fleet again, so he ordered the Armada to sail around Scotland and Ireland. A great storm hit the Armada as it was passing between Scotland and the Orkney Islands. The shores of Scotland and Ireland became strewn with the wrecks of Spanish ships. In September and October, fifty-four broken and battered ships finally reached Spain. Only 9,000 men were left of almost 30,000 who had set out several months before. The great Armada had failed in its attempt to invade England.

About the Author

other articles: Charleston Hotels DeltaAirlines Flight Schedule

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/David-Bunch/109430

Additional Articles From - Home | Reference & education | History