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 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| Portuguese Estado da Índia | East India Company | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Nuno Álvares Botelho Gaspar Gomes |
Captain Blyth Richard Swanley † Henry Crosbey | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
4 galleons 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) 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, an English fleet was engaged by Portuguese forces under Nuno Álvares Botelho off Swally (Surat). The Lion was boarded, but after a prolonged fight, the English managed to drive off the Portuguese.
The Lion later arrived at Bandar Abbas, where she remained for several days. In 8 or 18 November, Botelho arrived from Hormuz with 14–20 frigates. Following a fierce defense, the ship was destroyed by fire and explosion, and all but one of her crew were executed.