Battle of the Strait of Gibraltar (1590)

Battle of the Strait of Gibraltar (1590)
Part of the Anglo–Spanish War
Date24 April 1590
Location
Result English victory
Belligerents
 Spain

England

  • Levant Company
Commanders and leaders
Pedro de Acuña Benedict Barnham
Strength
12 galleys 10 armed merchant vessels
Casualties and losses
Many galleys severely damaged,
Heavy casualties
Light

The First Battle of the Strait of Gibraltar was a naval engagement that took place on 24 April 1590 during the Anglo-Spanish War. Ten English armed merchant vessels of the Levant Company were met and intercepted by twelve Spanish galleys under Pedro de Acuña in the service of Spain in the region of the Gibraltar Straits. English sources claim that the English were able to repel the galleys inflicting heavy losses after a six-hour fight, while Spanish sources show the battle as indecisive.