Loss of the Lion (1625)

Loss of the Lion (1625)
Part of Anglo-Portuguese rivalry in the Persian Gulf
An English ship (The Lion?) c. 1648
Date 17 October – 18 November 1625 Location Off Surat, India Off Bandar Abbas, Persian Gulf Result Portuguese victory Destruction of the Lion
Belligerents
Portuguese Estado da Índia	East India Company
Commanders and leaders
Nuno Álvares Botelho Gaspar Gomes [1]	Captain Blyth [2] Richard Swanley  † [2] Henry Crosbey [2]
Strength
4 galleons [3] 14–20 frigates	3 ships

The engagement off Surat and the subsequent loss of the Lion at Bandar Abbas (also known as the Defence of the Lion) ^[4] were two naval actions fought in 1625 between the Kingdom of Portugal and the English East India Company during the Anglo-Portuguese rivalry in the Persian Gulf.

On 17 October 1625, ^[a] an English fleet was engaged by Portuguese forces under Nuno Álvares Botelho off Swally (Surat). ^[1] The Lion was boarded, but after a prolonged fight, the English managed to drive off the Portuguese. ^{[6] [2]}

The Lion later arrived at Bandar Abbas, where she remained for several days. ^[2] In 8 ^[2] or 18 November, ^[7] Botelho arrived from Hormuz with 14–20 frigates. ^[b] Following a fierce defense, the ship was destroyed by fire and explosion, and all but one of her crew were executed. ^{[2] [8] [9]}

Order of Battle

Portuguese ships: ^[1]

• São Francisco Xavier
• São Francisco
• São Pedro
• São Salvador

---

English ships: ^{[1] [3]}

• Lion
• Palsgrave
• Dolphin

Notes

1. Willem M. Floor dates the battle to October 1626. ^[5]
2. 14–15 ^[7] or 18–20 frigates. ^[2]

References

1. Boxer 1935, p. 103.
2. Clowes, “A” History from the Earliest Time to the Present, Volume 2, 1898, p. 44–45.
3. Boxer, Commentaries of Ruy Freyre de Andrada, 2005, p. 197
4. Grey, The Merchant Venturers of London, 1932, p. 187.
5. Floor, A political and economic history of five port cities, 1500-1730, 2006, p. 330.
6. Boxer 1935, pp. 103–104.
7. Boxer 1935, p. 104.
8. Boxer 1935, p. 105.
9. Steensgaard, Niels (March 15, 2017). The Asian Trade Revolution. University of Chicago Press. p. 353. ISBN   9780226771458.

Bibliography

• Boxer, Charles Ralph (1935). "Anglo-Portuguese Rivalry in the Persian Gulf 1615–1635". In Edgar Prestage (ed.). Chapters in Anglo-Portuguese Relations. Watford, Hertfordshire: Voss and Michael. pp. 46–129.