THE SPANISH ARMADA ad. 



1588. 

 capacitie and receipt. For the whole Fleete was large 

 ynough to containe the burthen of 60. thousand tunnes. 



The Galeons were 64. in number, being of an huge ^ description 

 bignesse, and very stately built, being of marveilous ^f^^^G^^^o^^- 

 force also, and so high, that they resembled great castles, 

 most fit to defend themselves and to withstand any 

 assault, but in giving any other ships the encounter farre 

 inferiour unto the English and Dutch ships, which can 

 with great dexteritie weild and turne themselves at all 

 assayes. The upperworke of the said Galeons was of 

 thicknesse and strength sufficient to beare off musket- 

 shot. The lower worke and the timbers thereof were 

 out of measure strong, being framed of plankes and 

 ribs foure or ^yt foote in thicknesse, insomuch that no 

 bullets could pierce them, but such as were discharged 

 hard at hand : which afterward prooved true, for a great 

 number of bullets were founde to sticke fast within the 

 massie substance of those thicke plankes. Great and 

 well pitched Cables were twined about the masts of 

 their shippes, to strengthen them against the battery 

 of shot. 



The Galliasses were of such bignesse, that they con- ^ description 

 tained within them chambers, chapels, turrets, pulpits, ^ ^ ^^^^~ 

 and other commodities of great houses. The Galliasses 

 were rowed with great oares, there being in eche one 

 of them 300. slaves for the same purpose, and were able 

 to do great service with the force of their Ordinance. 

 All these together with the residue aforenamed were 

 furnished and beautified with trumpets, streamers, 

 banners, warlike ensignes, and other such like orna- 

 ments. 



Their pieces of brasen ordinance were 1600. and of The great 

 yron a 1000. Ordinance, 



rr-i 1111 11- 1 buUets, gun- 



Ihe bullets thereto belongmg were 120. thousand. poulder, and 



Item of gun-poulder 5600. quintals. Of matche other fumi- 

 1200. quintals. ^«^■^• 



Of muskets and kaleivers 7000. Of haleberts and 

 partisans loooo. 



201 



