1588 CE: “THE DEFEAT OF THE SPANISH ARMADA”

August: The English Channel, off of Gravelines, Flanders (then, Spanish Netherlands): Spanish Armada of 128 ships attacked by the 116 ships of the British Fleet. The British hoped to forestall the Spaniards from opening a sea lane to transport 30,000 of their soldiers by barges across the Channel (from Gravelines) to the English shore near London.

[Apparently, the Pope Sixtus-backed Spanish fleet had more priests on-board than trained gunners.]

The outnumbered British Fleet prevails. The Spanish Armada retreats.

Considered a turning point in the fortunes of the two countries. In any event, the (victorious) British lost 50-100 dead in the actual battle, but 6,000-8,000 underpaid sailors dead from typhus, dysentery and malnutrition upon discharge.