It really sounds like he was actually referring to the "English Armada", sent to the Iberian coast by Queen Elizabeth I of England in 1589. The campaign resulted in a humiliating defeat and an embarrassing withdrawal with heavy English losses both in lives and ships.
Spain's rebuilt navy had quickly recovered and exceeded its former numerical preponderance at sea, allowing it to maintain control over its own sea lanes, and thereby safely ship even larger amounts of precious metals.
This shameful defeat of the English fleet allowed the Spanish to consolidate their hold on territories in the Americas and effectively bar the English from launching further colonial efforts there during the remainder of Elizabeth's reign. Spain's mainland American empire was to last until the early 19th century, whereas British were reduced to a few outposts that were doomed to be effectively kicked off, as it finally happened.
Oh, the Good Ol' Times ...
More info at: http://wesulm.bravehost.com/history/eng_armada.htm
Spain's rebuilt navy had quickly recovered and exceeded its former numerical preponderance at sea, allowing it to maintain control over its own sea lanes, and thereby safely ship even larger amounts of precious metals.
This shameful defeat of the English fleet allowed the Spanish to consolidate their hold on territories in the Americas and effectively bar the English from launching further colonial efforts there during the remainder of Elizabeth's reign. Spain's mainland American empire was to last until the early 19th century, whereas British were reduced to a few outposts that were doomed to be effectively kicked off, as it finally happened.
Oh, the Good Ol' Times ...
More info at: http://wesulm.bravehost.com/history/eng_armada.htm