[1][7] The campaign took place between June and late August 1597,[1] and the objectives were to destroy the Spanish fleet of the Adelantado of Castile, Martín de Padilla y Manrique, Count of Santa Gadea, at the port of Ferrol, occupy and destroy the Spanish possessions in the Azores Islands, and intercept the Spanish treasure fleet coming from America as it passed through the Azores.

[7] The Dutch squadron was commanded by Lieutenant-Admiral Jacob van Wassenaer Duivenvoorde.

[7] Other notable participants were Sir Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton (who commanded the galleon Garland), the Baron Jacob Astley of Reading, Sir Edward Michelborne aboard the Moon,[10] Sir Robert Mansell, Roger Manners 5th Earl of Rutland, and the English poet John Donne.

[5] The Anglo-Dutch fleet returned to England with great losses and a war of recriminations between Essex and Raleigh.

[2] The treasure fleet was commanded by Admiral Juan Gutiérrez de Garibay.