This fascinating title explores the conflict between two formidable
warship types of the Age of Discovery--the Spanish and English
Galleon--as they battled for control of the Atlantic.
Between 1550-1605, Europe witnessed a rapid evolution in the art of ship
design which enabled safer and more efficient transatlantic travel. This
was the pinnacle of the Age of Discovery and Exploration for European
powers, in which the galleon played a crucial role. Galleons were both
the main vessels in maritime commerce and the principal warships used by
opposing fleets throughout the Age of Exploration. This period also saw
a large amount of naval combat, much of it between individual ships
belonging to the competing powers of England and Spain as they sought to
control and exploit the rich mineral, material, agricultural, and human
resources of the New World.
The conflict between the English Sea Dogs and the Spanish Adventurers
has been a source of fascination for over four centuries. This exciting
addition to the Duel series explores how the galleons used by Spain and
England were built and armed, and examines the effectiveness of the
cannon they used. It also compares how they were sailed and maneuvered,
showing the strengths and weaknesses of each design, and explaining how
these played out in several of their most prominent battles, including
the Battle of San Juan de Ulúa, the fight between the Golden Hind and
the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, an action from the Spanish
Armada, and the last fight of the Revenge.
