Action of San Mateo Bay

Action of San Mateo Bay
Part of the Anglo–Spanish War (1585)
Date29 June – 1 July 1594
Location
Esmeraldas River mouth, nowadays Ecuador
Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of England  Spain
Commanders and leaders
Richard Hawkins  (POW) Beltrán de Castro
Strength
1 galleon
1 pinnace prize
1 galleon
1 galley-zabra
Casualties and losses
1 galleon captured
1 pinnace recaptured
27 killed
17 wounded
93 captured
28 dead
22 wounded

The action of San Mateo Bay or action of Atacames Bay was a naval engagement which took place from 29 June to 1 July 1594 between the galleon Dainty under the command of English privateer Richard Hawkins and a Spanish squadron of three galleons commanded by Beltrán de Castro at the mouth of the Esmeraldas river, nowadays Ecuador.