Loss of the Lion (1625)

Loss of the Lion (1625)
Part of Anglo-Portuguese rivalry in the Persian Gulf

An English ship (The Lion?) c. 1648
Date17 October – 18 November 1625
Location
Off Surat, India
Off Bandar Abbas, Persian Gulf
Result
  • Portuguese victory
  • Destruction of the Lion
Belligerents
Portuguese Estado da Índia East India Company
Commanders and leaders
Nuno Álvares Botelho
Gaspar Gomes[1]		 Captain Blyth[2]
Richard Swanley †[2]
Henry Crosbey[2]
Strength
4 galleons[3]
14–20 frigates		 3 ships

The engagement off Surat and the subsequent loss of the Lion at Bandar Abbas (also known as the Defence of the Lion)[4] were two naval actions fought in 1625 between the Kingdom of Portugal and the English East India Company during the Anglo-Portuguese rivalry in the Persian Gulf.

On 17 October 1625,[a] an English fleet was engaged by Portuguese forces under Nuno Álvares Botelho off Swally (Surat).[1] The Lion was boarded, but after a prolonged fight, the English managed to drive off the Portuguese.[6][2]

The Lion later arrived at Bandar Abbas, where she remained for several days.[2] In 8[2] or 18 November,[7] Botelho arrived from Hormuz with 14–20 frigates.[b] Following a fierce defense, the ship was destroyed by fire and explosion, and all but one of her crew were executed.[2][8][9]

Order of Battle

Portuguese ships:[1]

  • São Francisco Xavier
  • São Francisco
  • São Pedro
  • São Salvador

English ships:[1][3]

  • Lion
  • Palsgrave
  • Dolphin

Notes

  1. ^ Willem M. Floor dates the battle to October 1626.[5]
  2. ^ 14–15[7] or 18–20 frigates.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Boxer 1935, p. 103.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Clowes, “A” History from the Earliest Time to the Present, Volume 2, 1898, p. 44–45.
  3. ^ a b Boxer, Commentaries of Ruy Freyre de Andrada, 2005, p. 197
  4. ^ Grey, The Merchant Venturers of London, 1932, p. 187.
  5. ^ Floor, A political and economic history of five port cities, 1500-1730, 2006, p. 330.
  6. ^ Boxer 1935, pp. 103–104.
  7. ^ a b Boxer 1935, p. 104.
  8. ^ Boxer 1935, p. 105.
  9. ^ Steensgaard, Niels (March 15, 2017). The Asian Trade Revolution. University of Chicago Press. p. 353. ISBN 9780226771458.

Bibliography


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