| Summary : 1639 wreck of Portuguese warship which was destroyed in action, being fired by two fireships expended on the Dutch side (1179089 and 1587683) at the Battle of the Downs (1582748), an action of the Eighty Years' War in which the Dutch fought the Spanish off the Kent coast. This battle took place on 11 October 1639, according to the Julian Calendar, and 21 October 1639, according to the Gregorian. The English did not participate, but witnessed the battle from Deal (468386), Dover (467778) and Walmer (468409) Castles. For another Dutch fireship expended against the SANTIAGO (1587795), please see 1329644. For Spanish ships lost or potentially lost in this action, please see: 1179051, 1179072, 1179083, 1329675, 1329695, 1329736, 1329738, 1329750, 1329755, 1329758, 1329769, 1329772, 1329775, 1329800, 1329807, 1329812, 1587795. For a Neapolitan ship fighting in the Armada, see 1587801. For six Lübeckers said to have been driven ashore after being inadvertently caught up in the action, please see: 1179051, 1329509, 1329519, 1329521, 1329525, and 1329545. |
More information : Primary Sources:
'The other thirty, under the commande of Oquendo, and Lopus, a Portuguese, went to sea in order, till, overtackne by a great fogge or miste, Van Trompe took the advauntage, and gott betuixt the two admiralls and ther fleete, and fought till the day cleard, at what tyme the admirall of Portugall beganne to burne, being fyred by two Hollander shipppes of warre.' (1)
Secondary Sources:
The Spanish flagship SANTIAGO and the Portuguese flagship SANTA TERESA of 60 guns were in the vanguard, against which five Dutch fireships were sent. The SANTA TERESA repelled two before another three attacked her and she succumbed to one. She was destroyed in action with great loss of life. (2)
Commanding Officer: Don Lope de Hoces (2)
Crew Lost: some, including Don Lope, who had already died of wounds sustained in action (2)
Owner: Portuguese Navy [all sources]
Date of Loss Qualifier: Actual date of loss |