A French naval attack on a Spanish convoy near Cádiz demonstrated new double-sided assault tactics but failed to prevent silver bullion from reaching Spain.
Key Facts
- Date
- 21 July 1640
- French commander
- Jean Armand de Maillé-Brézé
- Spanish losses
- 1 galleon and 1 small vessel
- Convoy cargo delivered
- Silver bullion and most cargo reached Spain
- French losses
- Unknown
- Conflict
- Franco-Spanish War (1635–1659)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Franco-Spanish War (1635–1659) set France and Spain in prolonged conflict over European dominance. As part of this struggle, French naval forces sought to intercept Spanish treasure fleets sailing from the Americas, aiming to deprive Spain of the silver revenues that funded its military operations.
On 21 July 1640, a French squadron commanded by Jean Armand de Maillé-Brézé attacked a Spanish convoy off the coast of Cádiz. Maillé-Brézé employed an innovative tactic of assaulting the convoy simultaneously from both sides, a maneuver previously unused in naval engagements of the era.
Despite the novel French tactics, the Spanish convoy successfully completed its voyage, delivering its silver bullion and the bulk of its cargo. Spain lost one galleon and one small vessel, while French casualties went unrecorded. The battle showed the limits of French naval interdiction against well-defended Spanish convoys.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Jean Armand de Maillé-Brézé.
Side B
1 belligerent