Blockade of Western Cuba

Blockade of Western Cuba (1591)
Part of the Anglo–Spanish War
Map of Cuba at the time of the blockade, that took place between the Western tip and Havana
Date May – July 1591 Location Between Cape San Antonio & Havana Present day Cuba Result English victory
Belligerents
England	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Michael Geare William Lane Christopher Newport	Diego de la Ribera Antonio Navarro
Strength
10 ships	7 galleons 2 galleys 2 pinnaces Ships of Plate Fleet Convoy
Casualties and losses
1 Bark sunk	2 Galleons captured 8 ships captured, sunk or burned 2 galleys severely damaged

The Blockade of Western Cuba also known as the Watts' West Indies Expedition of 1591 was an English privateering naval operation that took place off the Spanish colonial island of Cuba in the Caribbean during the Anglo–Spanish War. The expedition along with the blockade took place between May and July 1591 led by Ralph Lane and Michael Geare with a large financial investment from John Watts and Sir Walter Raleigh. They intercepted and took a number of Spanish ships some of which belonged to a Spanish plate convoy of Admiral Antonio Navarro and protected by the Spanish navy under Admiral Diego de la Ribera intending to rid English privateers. The English took or burnt a total of ten Spanish ships including two galleons, one of which was a valuable rich prize. With this success and the loss only one ship the blockade and expedition was terminated for the return to England. The blockade was one of the most successful English expeditions to the Spanish Main during the war militarily and financially.

In early 1591 an English fleet had been organised for a raiding expedition to the Spanish West Indies. The expedition had been financed in a and was organised into three fleets. The first and main fleet was financed largely by John Watts but also had investment from Walter Raleigh, Paul Bayning and Sir Francis Drake. The expeditions captain was William Lane of the 120-ton Centaur, while second in command was Captain Michael Geare in the 150-ton Little John and the 80-ton Pegasus under Captain Stephen Michell and the pinnace Fifth Part. The back up fleet was composed of two ships – Margaret of 60 tons under Captain Christopher Newport and the 50-ton Prudence under Captain John Burough. The other part of the fleet had been financed largely by Sir George Carew – the 200-ton Hopewell (alias Harry and John) of Captain William Craston, the 130-ton bark Burr of under Captain William Irish, the 35-ton Swallow under Ralph Lee and the 30-ton Content under Captain Nicholas Lisle. They were to attack and raid any Spanish or Portuguese shipping in the area of Hispaniola and Cuba with the aim of making a profit.

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