ABSTRACT
The naval action between Pater and Oquendo off the coast of Brazil in September 1631 is one of many instances which could be adduced to support Dr Anderson's assertion. This battle, which created a great impression at the time and gave rise to a romantic legend of Pater's heroic end, has recently been described in a masterly monograph by a Portuguese Capuchin friar. After due deliberation, it was decided by the governing council at Recife to send Pater with some eighteen sail to try to bring Oquendo to action and destroy his armada wherever it might be found. When Pater in bore down on Oquendo's flagship, and Maerten Thijssen in the Geunieerde Provintien steered for Admiral Don Francisco Vallecilla in the Santo Antonio, they were closely supported by their respective seconds, the Walcheren and the Provincie Utrecht. But only three other Dutch ships followed their example, the remainder contenting themselves with cannonading the enemy from a respectable distance.
