BLOG 7...: The Spanish Armada Part III

The next part of the reading pointed the huge but unwieldy fleet. Philip appointed the Duke of Medina-Sidonia to command the Armada. Although the duke had little naval experience, he was a efficient organizer who quickly won the cooperation of his veteran captains. Together they fashioned a fighting force and provisioned the huge fleet as best as they could. They meticulously laid out their signals, sailing orders, and formations that would unify their multinational force. The 130 ships, nearly 2,000 soldiers and 8,000 sailors made up the Armada finally left Lisbon harbor on May 29, 1588. But adverse winds and a storm obligated them to stop at La Coruna, in northwestern Spain, for repairs and more supplies. Concerned about insufficient provisions and sickness among his men, the Duke Of Medina-Sidonia frankly wrote to the king concerning his misgivings about the whole enterprise. But Philip insisted that his admiral adhere to the plan. So the unwieldy fleet continued its voyage and finally reached the English Channel two months after leaving Lisbon.