The Explorers Podcast · Tuesday, September 29, 2026
A joint English-Dutch expedition, comprising 150 ships and 14,000 men, successfully attacked and sacked the Spanish port of Cadiz on June 29th, 1596. Despite initial landing difficulties, English ships, including Raleigh's Warspite, engaged Spanish galleys, leading to their capture or sinking.
“And so a plan was put forward by Charles Howard, the Lord High Admiral, and Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex, to take the fight to Philip and Spain.”
“The idea was to attack the key Spanish port of Cadiz.”
“The venture would be made up of four squadrons, which included 150 ships and 14,000 men.”