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The Armada Departure
The Spanish Armada leaves Spain to sail up the English Channel, where an army to invade England is to be waiting. -
Armada in the English Channel
The Spanish Armada enters the English Channel, where the Spanish are surprised to find the main English fleet. The Armada adopts a crescent battle formation. After delays, caused by tides and wind, the English fleet sails to meet it. -
Attack!
English ships attack outermost Spanish vessels with long-range gunfire. Nothing is sunk but the San Salvador explodes. Overnight, Sir Francis Drake breaks the line to capture the Spanish ship Rosario. The English fleet regroups; The Spanish Armada consolidates the Armada's crescent formation and sends message out to rendezvous at Calais. -
Armada at Portland Bill
The Armada reaches Portland Bill. English and Spanish ships engage in fierce battles. English ships fire heavily on Spanish but do little damage. The English ammunition runs low. -
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Divide and Conquer
The English fleet divides into four squadrons and stops the Armada from entering Solent. The Armada sails east, and the English fleet follows but has too little ammunition to renew attack. The Armada drops anchors off Calais but discovers the invading army is not ready. -
In the Still of the Night
During the night, the English fire ships break the Armada's formation. The Battle of Gravelines sees nine hours of close fighting between English and Spanish ships. Many vessels on both sides are damaged. One Spanish ship sinks, and the English fleet, helped by the storm, drives the rest of the Armada into the North Sea. -
Sailing Away
After being exhausted by English ships and battered by storms, the Armada sails north, intending to round the coast of Scotland and sail south to Spain. Conditions on board the ships are poor. -
Roaring Seas
Fierce storms drive many ships towards the Irish coast. More than 25 ships are wrecked and thousands of crew drown, or are killed by English soldiers when they reach shore. About two-thirds of the Armada eventually escapes bad weather and sail home to Spain.
This occurred through October 1588.
