The Battle of Elmina on October 25, 1625 over control of the Portuguese fortress of São Jorge da Mina (present-day Ghana). The fortress that dominated or protected the city of Elmina was the most important of the Portuguese Gold Coast. The battle ended in a catastrophic defeat for the Dutch. In autumn 1625 a fleet of 15 ships under the command of Jan Dircksz Lam and Andries Veron with about 1200 soldiers attacked, but were massacred by local warriors. The Dutch had lost 375 soldiers, including Admiral van Veron and 66 sailors. Many of the Dutch were horribly mutilated and beheaded.