Howard's fleet was caught while undergoing repairs and when the crews, many of whom were suffering an epidemic of fever, were resting ashore.

Bazán tried to surprise the English fleet at anchor, but Sancho Pardo's vice-flagship lost their bowsprit, forcing the attack to be delayed.

Viamonte boarded the English galleon, suffering the misfortune of the grappling hook parting after having only passed 10 men aboard her.

San Bernabé's grappling was decisive to the fate of Revenge, because the English warship lost the advantage of her long-range naval guns.

Conversely, the heavy musketry fire of the Spanish infantry forced the English gunners to abandon their post in order to repulse the attack.

[2] Grenville held them back with cannon and musket fire until, being himself badly injured and Revenge severely damaged, completely dis-masted and with 150 men killed or unable to fight, surrendered.

[9] The battle, however, marked the resurgence of Spanish naval power[7] and proved that the English chances of catching and defeating a well-defended treasure fleet were remote.