Spanish Navy
The Spanish Navy (Spanish: Armada Española) is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, as well as being one of the oldest active naval forces in the modern world. After the Christian-won Battle of Lepanto in 1571, Spain held the most powerful navy in the world for several decades. This power became apparent in 1588, when Philip II of Spain assembled the largest naval war fleet ever seen, and intended to use it to invade England. When this failed due to weather, Philip sent a second fleet in 1596, and another in 1597, both of which were destroyed by storms at sea. The Armada historically allowed Spain to expand into the Caribbean and the South American mainland where colonies were established. They were associated with many naval battles, including the Battle of Manila Bay which transpired in 1898, in addition to the Battle of Cartagena de Indias in 1741.
Edward Kenway served against the Spanish Navy as a British privateer during the wars of Spanish Succession, until the signing of the Treaty of Utrecht. Thereafter, Kenway operated as a pirate in the West Indies, and would go on to have many altercations with the Spanish Navy. Additionally, Kenway's ship, the Jackdaw, had also been a part of the navy's treasure fleet under the name El Dorado, until he commandeered it in 1715.
The Spanish Navy operated numbers of ships during the Golden Age of Piracy, which included galleons, gunboats, schooners, frigates and brigs.
Notable ships
The following is a list of well-known ships in the navy, not including merchant and privateer vessels:
Reference
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