INTERESTING HISTORICAL EVENTS.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 44, 31 May 1907, Page 7

INTERESTING HISTORICAL EVENTS.

When ilia nows reached England that Phillip of Spain intended to invade England, a war council was held at which Sir Walter Raleigh earnestly advocated what his quick genius had seen at a glance—that the defence of the country must depend on tho Navy, and that the enemy must not be allowed to land. The main strength oi the fleet that was collected was in tho character of the man who commanded—viz., Admiral Lord Howard, of Effingham, a man of undaunted courage, of firm and independent resolution and very popular with the sailors. Under kirn served tho Lord of Cumberland and tho Lords Henry Seymour, Thomas Howard, and Edmund Sheffield, as volunteers; and tho want of experience in these aristocrats was amply overbalanced by the staunch men whose fame was world-wide—viz., Drake, who was Lieutenant of tho fleet,’ Hawkins, Frobisher, and others of those marine heroes who had made themselves a terror to the remotest shores of tho earth. The- Lord Admiral wjw moored at Plymouth, when a Scotch privateer, named Fleming, sailed in and informed him that he had discovered the Armada off tho Lizard. Most of the officers were at the moment playing at bowls on the Hoe, and Drake, who was one of thorn, bade them not to hurry themselves, but to play out the game and then go out and beat tho Spaniards. Tho wind was blowing strongly in the harbour, but, having with great labour warped out their ships; they stood off, and the next day, July 20 1588, saw the Spanish fleet bearing down full upon them,'in the form of a crescent, the horns of which were seven miles apart. Tho Duke of Medina Sidonia’s instructions were to avoid a conflict before he had effected the main object of landing an army on the British coast. The Grand Armada, therefore, swept on in stately magnificence up I»he Channel, and then began, as it were, a strange chase of the mighty Armada by tho 'lesser fleet. The “Disdain,” a pinnace eammanded by Jonas Bradbury, , was the first to engage, and was speedily seconded by the Lord Admiral, Drake, Hawkins, and Frobisher, causing great confusion amongst the Spanish fleet, the vessels of which ran into one another. The Duke of Medina was compelled to heave to till Bicahlez’s jeopardised squadron, two of whose vessels were . captured, and one burnt came up to him. On tho 23rd. Lord Howard, who was reinforced, came up with the Armada oh Portland, and kept them well engaged by pouring in broadsides and then dropping out of range, by which many of the Spanish ships were completely disabled. The English could not renew the fight the next day, having burnt all their powder; but on (he 25th. the light was renewed off the Isle of Wight; In tho midst of it the powder of the English again failed, and they were obliged to draw off. On the 2(ith. the English pursued the Armada up the Channel, receiving continual reinforcements from the ports they passed. On the 27th, the Duke, of Medina cast anchor before Calais, and the English prepared eight ships, which were sent, under Captains Young and Prowse, at midnight, towards tho Spanish fleet, the sailors of which shouted “The tire of Antwerp ! the fire of Antwerp!” and ' every vessel was put in motion to escape in tho darkness- as best it might, amidst terrible confusion. Dawn found them scattered along the coast from Os tend to Calais, amidst a furious tempest, and at length the great Armada was so shattered and broken up that further conflict was impossible, so the Duke | gave orders ■ for a retreat. To os- I cape along - the English Channel was impracticable, and (he Spanish Admiral, therefore, determined to sail northward, make the circuit of (ho I British Isles, and thus rearh tho At- I lantic. After rounding the Orkneys, the whole Spanish fleet was dispersed by a terrible storm, and only a small proportion of the mighty Armada return d to Spain, ami even these more fortunate vessels wore in a highly damaged state. Barely in ! the history of the world has so vast j an expedition ended in so complete and absolute a failure. i