Action of 22 July 1638

Action of 22 July 1638
Part of the Franco-Spanish War (1635)

The Battle of Guetaria, by Andries van Eertvelt
Date 22 July, 1638
Location Off Guetaria, Bay of Biscay, Spain
Result French victory
Belligerents
 France Spain
Commanders and leaders
Henri de Sourdis Lope de Hoces
Strength
6 galleon
5 fireships		 12 galleons
Casualties and losses
No ship lost. 40 dead.[1] 12 galleons destroyed. 4,000[2] - 5,000 dead.[3]

The Action of 22 July 1638 or the Battle of Guetaria are the names given to a battle in the Franco-Spanish War (1635 - 1659), which took place on 22 July 1638 at Guetaria, northern Spain, when a French fleet under de Sourdis attacked and destroyed a Spanish fleet of 12 galleons, under Lope de Hoces, which were moored in a line across the harbor entrance, before sending in fireships. 11 were burnt - the Spanish flagship, at least, being scuttled, and the other went aground.

Chevalier Paul distinguished himself during this action.

Contents

Ships involved

France

Spain

12 galleons - 11 burnt, 1 aground

References

  1. ^ Michel Vergé-Franceschi, Dictionnaire d'Histoire Maritime, éditions Robert Laffont, collection Bouquins, 2002, p.709.
  2. ^ Michel Vergé-Franceschi, Dictionnaire d'Histoire Maritime, éditions Robert Laffont, collection Bouquins, 2002, p.709.
  3. ^ Guy Le Moing, Les 600 plus grandes batailles navales de l'Histoire, Marines Editions, 2011, p.205