The Spanish gunners in their haste shot but badly, and with Sir Francis Drake's ship leading the way, the fleet forced the entrance into the port.

As they entered they were saluted by the cannon of the Spanish vessels within, but without more ado they lay these aboard.
So mightily were the Spaniards amazed by the valor, and boldness of the English that they fought but feebly, jumping over for the most part, or making their way in their boats to shore.

Then Sir Francis caused fire to be applied to the Spanish ships, and thirty great war vessels were destroyed before the eyes of the townspeople, while the English fleet sailed triumphantly away.
Then, following the line of coast as far as Saint Vincent, the admiral captured and burned a hundred other ships, and destroyed four great land forts.
Looking into the Tagus, the King of Portugal having been forced by Spain to aid her, Captain Drake captured the Saint Philip, the largest ship of their navy; which was, to the gratification of the sailors, laden with a precious cargo.
After these exploits the fleet returned to England in triumph, having for the time crippled the forces of Spain.

Philip, however, redoubled his preparations.

The fleets of Naples and Sicily, of Venice and Genoa, were added to those of Spain.