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[1][2]
Belligerents
England	Spain
Commanders and leaders
Michael Geare William Lane Christopher Newport	Diego de la Ribera Antonio Navarro
Strength
10 ships[3]	7 galleons 2 galleys 2 pinnaces Ships of Plate Fleet convoy[4]
Casualties and losses
1 bark sunk[5]	2 galleons captured[6] 8 ships captured, sunk, or burned[5] 2 galleys severely damaged[7]

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.^[8] 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.^[9] The English took or burnt a total of ten Spanish ships including two galleons, one of which was a valuable prize.^[7][10] With this success and the loss of only one ship the blockade and expedition was terminated for the return to England.^[11] The blockade was one of the most successful English expeditions to the Spanish Main during the war militarily and financially.^[7][12]