The Armada's nominal strength was 130 ships, 8,000 sailors, 18,000 soldiers, 1,500 brass guns, and 1,000 iron guns. That headline total combined galleons and galleasses with supply hulks, carracks, caravels, and other small craft. Parma's advertised 30,000 troops were still fighting in the Netherlands and could not all be detached without weakening his existing campaign. Only 12,000 to 18,000 of his experienced soldiers were likely to join the expedition. Paper strength therefore overstated the number of deployable troops and suitable vessels.
Notable Point · 29:26-30:39
The Armada's 130 ships mask an uneven invasion force
Spain's nominal 130 ships combined galleons, galleasses, supply hulks, and smaller craft, while Parma's 30,000 troops in the Netherlands were not all free to invade England.