Battle of the Gambia River (1570)

The Battle of the Gambia River (1570) was a naval engagement between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Kingdom of France.

Battle of the Gambia River (1570)
Date 1570 Location Gambia River, Gambia Result Portuguese victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of Portugal	Kingdom of France
Strength
2 vessels	1 trading vessel
Casualties and losses
Unknown	30 crew members killed

Background

In the late 16th century, the English and the French were competing against the Portuguese over trade in the Gambia River and the Gold Coast, they had peaceful trade intentions, however, the Portuguese were determined to exclude any newcomers off the Gold Coast. Which eventually happened, after the first French trading vessel ventured in about 1570 into the Gambia River.

Battle

The French arrived at the Gambia River, two Portuguese vessels swooped down upon it and drove the trading vessel away, the French lost 30 crew members in the engagement.

References

Sources

• Gray, J.M (1940). The History of the Gambia. London: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-107-51196-5.