Storms and English activity in the Bay of Biscay forced at least six Spanish ships to fall back, including one galleon and all four galleys. Spain therefore entered the main campaign with fewer major combatants than its original total suggests. England could mobilize 197 vessels, but its 34-ship royal fleet contained only 21 galleons, with another 30 vessels described as galleon-sized. Twelve of those larger vessels were privateers owned by fleet commanders. Combat power depended on the vessels inside each headline total.
Notable Point · 30:45-31:48
Bay of Biscay losses change the fleet comparison
Storms and English action forced at least six Spanish ships to turn back before the main encounter, while England's 197 vessels included a much smaller core of royal and galleon-sized ships.