Battle of San Juan (1598)

Battle of San Juan (1598)
Part of the Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604)
Aerial view of Old San Juan
Date June 15–30, 1598 Location Castillo San Felipe del Morro (present-day Puerto Rico) Result English victory[1]
Belligerents
Spain Puerto Rico	England
Commanders and leaders
Antonio de Mosquera	Sir George Clifford
Strength
350 soldiers and militia	20 ships, 1,700 men
Casualties and losses
250 surrendered 50 casualties 2 ships captured[2]	60 killed, 40 other deaths

The Battle of San Juan was a military and naval action on June 15, 1598 when an English force of 20 ships and 1,700 men under Sir George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland, overwhelmed and took the Spanish fortress Castillo San Felipe del Morro and thus took the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. They were able to hold the castle for 65 days but disease took its toll and the English forces left, but not before sacking and burning San Juan to the ground. This was the only attack that broke through and captured El Morro castle.^[3]