Battle of the Berlengas (1666) explained

Conflict:Battle of the Berlengas
Partof:the Portuguese Restoration War
Date:28 June to 1 July 1666
Place:Berlengas, Portugal
Result:Spanish victory[1]
Combatant2: Portugal
Combatant1: Spain
Commander2: António Pessoa
Commander1: Diego Ibarra
Strength2:28[2]
Strength1:1,500
15 warships[3]
Casualties2:5 killed and wounded
23 captured
Casualties1:41 killed and wounded[4]

The Battle of Berlengas was fought in 1666 during the Portuguese Restoration War, between the Portuguese defenders of the Fort São João Baptista and a Spanish fleet commanded by Diego de Ibarra. The fleet, which had destroyed Portuguese fisheries, bombarded towns and cut off supplies in one month as part of its onslaught, proceeded to storm the fort on the Berlengas.[5] The fort was destroyed and the entire garrison were captured.[6]

After the attack the repair of the fort was initiated, being concluded in 1678 by João de Mascarenhas, 1st Marquess of Fronteira.

References

39.42°N -9.5°W

Notes and References

  1. Porter&Prince p.168
  2. Porter, Prince, "In 1666, 28 Portuguese tried to withstand 1,500 Spaniards who bombarded the site from 15 ships." p.12
  3. Porter, Prince, p.12
  4. Duro. p.91
  5. Brown & Cavendish p.149
  6. Duro p.91