Newfoundland expedition (1585)

Newfoundland Expedition (1585)
Part of the Anglo–Spanish War

A 1563 map of the North Atlantic with Newfoundland top center
DateJuly to 10 October 1585
Location
Grand Banks of Newfoundland, Atlantic Ocean
Result English victory[1][2][3]
Belligerents

 Spain

England England
Commanders and leaders
Unknown Bernard Drake
Strength
Numerous Spanish & Portuguese ships[4] 10 ships
Casualties and losses
23 ships captured, burned, or sunk[4]
~600 prisoners[5]		 Light

The Newfoundland Expedition also known as Bernard Drake's Newfoundland Expedition was an English naval expedition that took place during the beginning of the declared Anglo-Spanish War in the North Atlantic during summer and autumn of 1585.[6] The area of conflict was situated mainly in an area known as the Grand Banks off present day Newfoundland.[7] The aim of the expedition was to capture the Spanish and Portuguese fishing fleets.[8] The expedition was a huge military and financial success and virtually removed the Spanish and Portuguese from these waters.[9] In addition the raid had large consequences in terms of English colonial expansion and settlement.[4][10]

  1. ^ Bicheno p 180 having done serious & lasting damage to the Spanish and Portuguese fishing industries
  2. ^ Carrington, Charles (1950). The British Overseas: Exploits of a Nation of Shopkeepers. CUP Archive. p. 19. b.
  3. ^ Quinn p 130-31
  4. ^ a b c Prowse pp 78-81
  5. ^ Hart p 211
  6. ^ Childs p 128-30
  7. ^ Hornsby pp 16-18
  8. ^ Davis p 13-14
  9. ^ Clarke p 25
  10. ^ McDermott p 156