Battle of the Strait of Gibraltar (1591)

The Battle of the Strait of Gibraltar, fought in the late summer of 1591, was a naval engagement between an English fleet under the command of Admiral Thomas Howard and a Spanish fleet. The English fleet was attempting to intercept Spanish ships sailing between Spain and Italy, hoping to disrupt Spanish supply lines and trade.

The battle itself was indecisive. While the English managed to engage the Spanish ships, they were unable to achieve a decisive victory. The Spanish ships, although damaged, were able to continue their voyage. The engagement demonstrated the growing naval power of England under Elizabeth I, but also highlighted the continued strength of the Spanish Armada in the years immediately following its defeat in 1588. The battle, although not a major strategic turning point, contributed to the ongoing Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604).