The Naval Battle of Abrolhos (1631

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe the Naval Battle of Abrolhos in order to determine if there was a tactical and/or strategic winner. The article describes the Luso-Spanish reaction to the conquest of Recife, the preparations for the expedition of D. Antonio de Oquendo and the Battle itself. It was a violent and intense combat between the flagship, and between the ships of the Vice-Admirals, as was usual in naval battles on the high seas until the middle of the 17th century. It was an inconclusive tactical and strategic combat, which did not change the situation of the Dutch occupation in Pernambuco.