In 1654 Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the republican Commonwealth, declared war on Spain, unleashing English fleets to attack Spanish shipping and colonies in the Caribbean and Atlantic. On April 20, 1657, Admiral Robert Blake destroyed a Spanish treasure fleet in a daring raid at Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands.
In spring 1657, Blake was blockading the Spanish port of Cadiz when he received news that a fleet carrying silver and gold from the Spanish colonies in the Americas was approaching. Consisting of 17 ships, the fleet docked at Santa Cruz to wait out the blockade. When they became aware of the oncoming threat, the Spanish carried their silver bullion ashore. On April 20, Blake arrived with a fleet of 23 ships. Defending Santa Cruz was a castle and a string of smaller forts, which were all connected with a breastwork manned by musketeers.
Blake sent 12 ships under Vice Admiral Richard Stayner to attack the Spanish fleet. Blake was to attack the fortifications and provide covering fire. Stayner sailed into the harbor and anchored with his broadside facing close to the Spanish. He was able to destroy 12 of the Spanish ships, including the flagship of Spanish Admiral Diego de Egues. and capture five, which he intended to tow away as prizes. As the English were under heavy fire from the fortifications and having difficulty maneuvering because of the winds, Blake ordered that the five captured ships instead be destroyed. When the tide turned, the English fleet was able to drift out of Santa Cruz to safety. Even though he had failed to capture the treasure, Blake was hailed as a hero in England and was awarded the same honors that Parliament had bestowed on Sir Thomas Fairfax after the Battle of Naseby, but Blake died four months later on his way home. Stayner was knighted for his role in the battle. Lacking a fleet, the Spanish, already low on funds to finance their war effort, were now unable to transport their treasure from the Canary Islands to Spain.
Losses: English, 40 dead and 110 wounded, no ships of 23; Spanish, all 17 ships.