Bay of Cadiz

The Bay of Cádiz shelters one of Spain's great Atlantic harbors, close to the sea route between the ocean and the Strait of Gibraltar. Ships assembling for war and commerce made the anchorage an attractive target. In April 1587 Francis Drake sailed into the harbor and attacked Spanish shipping and supplies gathered there. His raid disrupted preparations for Philip II's expedition against England and revealed how a fleet at anchor could be struck before it was ready to sail.