After Santa Cruz, Blake sails to Salé in Morocco and obtains the release of English captives through negotiation. This mission formed part of the Commonwealth and Protectorate's sustained effort to stop Barbary slavers preying on English communities. Raids along the Cornish and southwest coasts had helped Charles I justify ship money before the civil wars. Local defense and Commonwealth naval policy both responded to an immediate maritime-security problem affecting coastal communities. Blake's record therefore includes coastal security and captive release alongside fleet warfare and the pursuit of Spanish bullion.
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Blake and maritime security after Santa Cruz
Blake's final operations also connect Commonwealth sea power to freeing English captives and protecting the southwest coast from Barbary slavers.