The Battle Setting

Admiral Noort was able to take a good position at Manila Bay. Instead of proceeding to Manila Van Noort moved to Friar's Point (El Fraile Island) and anchored at Fuego Point (Bakitegui Point) on night of 12 December 1600 and waited for the Spanish fleet there. Morga in command of the San Diego hurriedly left the port of Cavite on the night of 12 December in 1600 for Corregidor. In the evening of the 13 December, thinking the Dutch vessel were about to depart, Morga decided to go ahead of the San Bartolome leaving instruction for Alcego that they should meet around Friar's Point and wait for the native auxiliary vessels there. The weather however was bad and their native support boats had difficulty making the rendezvous. At day break the 14th of December, the two Spanish vessels found the Dutch ships anchored near Friar's Point. Upon seeing the Spanish fleet coming, the Dutch weighted their anchors, raised their flag and their top sails and prepared to approach. The Dutch fired the first shot, hence the battle must have started from Friar's Point, passing thought Fuego Point to Fortune Island in between the Nasiglou, where the actual wreckage of the San Diego was discovered and continued on to Lubang Island where the Concord was captured by the San Bartolome. One hundred nine Spaniards, among them the finest officers and soldiers of the Islands and one hundred fifty Indig (Filipinos) from the San Diego died during the battle. Casualties from the Dutch side were only seven men killed and 26 wounded. Forty eight men sailed away with the Mauritius which was able to find its way to the Indonesian Islands for repairs.