Naval Battle

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Category: Memory · Subcategory: Memory spaces · Year: 1552

This event is one of the most significant examples of the multiple attacks and numerous threats that French ships carried out against the Canary Islands during the central decades of the 16th century, all actions framed within the rivalry existing at that time between the Kingdom of France and Emperor Charles V of Germany and I of Spain.

During this historical juncture, on 19 April 1552, a naval battle took place in waters near the city of Las Palmas that kept the population of the main city of Gran Canaria on edge. Since late February 1552, the presence of five French ships in the Archipelago's waters was already known; in their mission to harass Spanish possessions, they did not stop capturing any vessel that sailed these waters. Commercial traffic between the islands themselves, and from them to the rest of the world, was severely affected by this situation. In just over a month, the French raiders had captured no fewer than eight ships, three large ones which they sent to France, and five smaller ones which they released after being plundered.

Faced with this scenario, the governor of Gran Canaria, Rodrigo Manrique de Acuña, organised, with ships available in the Port of La Luz, a small Canarian fleet to confront the threat. This naval force was largely funded by the main merchants and wealthy people of the city, the principal victims of the persistent French blockade.

On 18 April 1522, Easter Monday, after a failed attempt the previous day due to bad weather, the Canarian flotilla composed of a nao, two caravels and an urca (a large vessel, very wide in the centre, used for transporting goods), set sail from the Port of La Luz in search of the French ships. At dawn the following day, the confrontation took place in waters near the city of Las Palmas, from where, apparently, the entire battle could be followed.

The French were surprised by the swift action of the Spanish ships and soon surrendered. Their ships, after being subjected to plundering by the Canarian crews, were towed to the Port of La Luz. In the skirmish, 80 Frenchmen died, 15 were wounded and 83 were taken prisoner. Additionally, “ many Christians who were being sold in Barbary ” were freed. On the Spanish side: only one dead and numerous wounded.

The victory was resounding and calm returned to the Archipelago's waters, although only for a short time. The following year, another French armada, this time commanded by François Le Clerc “Pata de Palo” (Peg Leg), threatened Las Palmas again; after failing to take it, he headed towards the undefended Santa Cruz de La Palma, where he landed, plundered and set fire to the place, leaving behind ruin and desolation.

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