The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-04-02
rnn STORY or rHE ARMADA.

been thorough test or the Irouciau %
the modern type now being used py lns
great nations OF the world. and. therefore.
when the American and Spanish bate
ships meet. II win be demonstrated De-
Wound question to the shipbuiiders and the
naval experts wherein Me the weakness
and the strength of the modern warsnip.
The effectiveness Of the torpedo. the tor
pedo boat and the tcrpedo-boat destroyer.
all these win have . thorough trial. ana
at the end thereof even more destructive
weapons may follow as a sequence.
Spain has from time immemorial asptred
to be one Of the leading Eaval powers OF
the world, but in every showing that ma
ton has been found inefhcient. The story
OF the alleged '1nvincible Spanish Arma-
da" seems pertinent at the present juno
ture.
The STUDENT of history viii recall to
mind that the execution O. Mary. Queen
Of Scots, at Fotheringay, on February 5,
1851, gave Philip, king of Spain. pretext
to declare war against England. for which
event he had been secretly preparing for
a couple OF years. and had devoted much
OF his time and capital to the purchase of
warships with which to invade England
during the reign OF Queen Elizabeth. one
of the greatest figures in English history.
With this formidable navy King Philip
fondly hoped not only to drive the British
flag from the sea, but also to crush that
natien which was the especial defender of
Professionalism in Europe. So at the time
Spain prepared to strike she had avail
able $50 war vessels Of all sizes, comprising
stately men-of-war, formidable frigates
and other vessels. thoroughly equipped.
Differed and manned for the incursion.
Pope Sexfus Y. gave Spain his blessing
and christened the war vessels as 1.-The
Inyincible Armada The Armada was
commanded by the Duke of Med:na-S.do-
MIA, assisted by Vice Admiral Martinez de
Reealdo, and embraced nearly $4,000 SOL
diers and sailors. The artillery was near
ly all heavy ordnance and amounted to
nearly ESQ pieces. This dreaded propa-
ganda, when drawn up in battle array,
extended from the extreme right to the
left fully seven miles, and presented the
form OF a crescent.
The historian Of the event says: cit is
the morning Of the 18th of May 1888, and
at the town of Lisbon is to be witnessed
one OF the most magnificent spectacles
that the world ever saw. One hundred
and thirty vessels-of which sixty-ffve are
great ships Of war and stately galleons.
twenty-five are 'pinx-built' ships, while
the rest are frigates and galleys rowed
by slaves and criminals. some of whom
are doubtless victims Of the Inquisition
condemned for heresies-are drawn up in
array In the Tagus. Not with shouts and
nfes. this vast Armada has prepared for
invasion of England" The preparation
for sea is a solmen service. All the off,
GERS and most OF the crews attend mass
On the flags Of the vessels sacred symbols
arc embroidered. On the vast ships whose
sides and poops rise like towers above the
water the emblazoned arms and insignia
of the saints after whom they are named
float gloriousiy In the summer air. Sol
EMMY. and to the strain of sacred music.
the great Armada Is formed. and with
sails well filled the gorgeous pageant
moves on and soon sails in the blue sea
beyond the Tagus to call at Corunna,
where it is to take more ships
and stores. II the admiral be favored by
the saints and there be efficacy in the
papal bull, the Armada will push through
the Channel to the coast OF Flanders. raise
the blockade maintained by the English
and the Dutch at Dunkirk and Nieuport
and bring the forces of the Duke of Par
ma to the very water-gate of England
where they may take up their triumphal
march to London. the capital Of the Brit
ish empire.
To confront this formidable foe the
whole royal navy of England numbered
thirty-six sail, but the people Of that great
nation were equal TO the emergency and
soon raised respectable navy OF mer-
chant ships, fitted them out and armed
them at no expense TO the government
wave of patriotism swept across Eng
land. which was greatly melted by Queen
Elizabeth. who promised to share with the
soldiers and sailors al the vicissitudes of
war. The queen was at this period 50
years of age, yet, mounted on charger
she rode to the various British cam6s to
encourage her soldiers AT Tilbury. the
camp of the Londoners, amidst the silence
OF the troops and populace, who thus paid
~ I h~yS - r..
the queen declared:
my loving people, we have been per-
suaded by some that are careful of our
safety to take heed how we commit orr
selves TO armed multitudes, for fear of
treachery. but l assure you | do not de-
sire TO live to distrust my faithful and
loving people Let tyrants fear, I have
always 80 behaved myself that. under
God. l have placed my chiefest strength
and safeguard in the loyal hearts and
good viii Of my subjects, and therefore 7
am come amongst you at this time not as
for my recreation and sport but being
resolved in the midst and heat OF battla
to live or die amongst you all: 10 Law down
for my God. for my kingdom and for my
people my honoe and my blood, even In
the dust. / know that I have but the
body Of weak and feeble woman. but
have the heart of king, and of O. king of
England. too, and i think Ii foul scorn
that Parma of Spain. or any prince of
Europe. should dare TO invade the borders
OF my realm
The English feet OF about half the ton
mage Of the invader. and less than half
as many men, was commanded by Lord
Charles Howard. high admiral. who had
under him some OF the bravest and most
yenturesome spirits that have adorned
naval chronicles, among them Connie
dores Drake, Hawkins. Winter. rrohisher.
Seymour and others. On the Goth of Julv
ISIS. the Armada, In all the glory and
panoply of war. reached the English coast
off Tfihury. and from that time until the
end Of July battles between ships. squad
rons or the entire force were Of hourly on-
currence, and, indeed. continuous. The
superior seamanship OF the English was
the feature Of the contest and this alone
Is believed 10 have prevented their ami
hi.ation. as the Spanish were superior in
tonnage and men and the English had
early In the contest almost exhausted
their supply OF shot and powder At
critical iuncture not only ammunition and
supplies. but ships. manned and fitted at