Armada
a fleet of armed ships; a squadron; particularly applied to that great naval armament, which was called the Invincible Armada, fitted out in 1588, by Philip II., against Queen Elizabeth. It consisted of 129 ships, carrying about 20,000 soldiers and 8,000 sailors. beth. It consisted of 129 ships, carrying about 20,000 soldiers and 8,000 sailors. The loss of the Marquis of Santa Cruz, their admiral, and a violent tempest, the day after they sailed, retarded for some time the operations of the Spaniards.
They arrived on the coast of the Netherlands in July, were thrown into disorder They arrived on the coast of the Nether- lands in July, were thrown into disorder this situation were attacked with such attempt to return. Contrary winds obliged the Spanish admiral, the Duke of Medina Sidonia, to make the circuit of Great Britain with the wreck of this magnificent armament. In passing the Orkneys, it was attacked by a violent magnificent armament. In passing the turned to Spain.