Battle of Sesimbra Bay, 1602

A view of the taking by the English of a Portuguese galleon or carrick during the Battle of Sesimbra Bay, fought on 3 June 1602 between the English navy, commanded by Sir Richard Leveson and the Spanish, commanded by Federico Spinola, resulting in an English victory. Anglo-Spanish War (1585-1604).

This view shows the English ship, left of centre, firing at the Portuguese vessel to the right. The Portuguese ship, which appears to be flying a Spanish flag, is a carrack –an ocean-going three or four-masted ship – which has lost its foremast in the attack. Hondius has signed his name beginning with the monogram ‘Hh’ which is recorded in Nagler, Vol.3 (1863) under entry 1034, p.380.

A short mention of the event can be found in the Cecil Papers: 20 July 1602 ‘Letters from Spain confirm the news of the capture by Englishmen of the Portuguese galleon coming from the Indies with more than a million and a half. They have also sunk two other vessels ‘alla bocca di Lisbona’. 30 Jul-9 Aug: From England, we hear that the Portuguese carrack has arrived, and is a very rich prize.

This print may be based on a painting dated 1602 by Hendrick Cornelisz. Vroom, to which it bears a strong resemblance, entitled Attack on Spanish Treasure Galleys, Portugal (Government Art Collection number 6501).