our Admirall would endeavour to performe so farre forth as his Power would reach which was no further then the Road but hee had no Command upon the Land also J gave him notice that J had Order from our Admirall to goe abord of his Ship and the rest of the Wacks upon the shore to looke after them that no man should Imbezell any thing from them and to forbid all men whatsoever except it were such as were hyred to by his Substitutes upon peyne of his Majesties displeasure not to take any thing out of those Spanish Ships a-ground for the which and all former hee returned most hearty thankes to our Admirall In the Morning the wind was at N. by W. a staffe gale before day a Packet came from the Lord Admirall and by a order therein I was Sent a shore to the Spanish Vice-admirall to give him to understand that our Admirall had Order to Convoy his Souldiers for Flanders if he did ship them in English Bottoms he Answered that hee did expect some Vessels from Donkerk for to transport them But if they came not he did intend to provide vessels at Dover and then he would thankfully Imbrace our Admiralls Convoy About noone all the Hollands fleet set Sayle and run to the Westwards about the Foreland and then Don Andrewes gave Order to all his ships that were a-float and rid neare the shore to goe Ride farther of At night the wind Westward and proved very fayre wether all night and all the next day afternoone all the Hollands fleet came Open of the Forland abord and bore about on the backside of the Goodwin and stood away most of them towards the East of Holland and the rest towards Flanders At night Captaine Hall Returned from his Majestie who had certified his Majestie of all the proceedigns which had hapned betwixt the Spanyards and the Hollanders Next morning came a Complaint unto our Admirall that divers of the Boats of his Fleet had bin abord of the wracks and had Imbezelled and taken out their Provisions upon which our Admirall gave Order to Capt. Hall Capt. Stradling Capt. Ramsby Capt. Cartwright and my selfe c. To goe abord of all the Fleet and to search them having with us two Spanish Captaines likewise to accompany us In our search wee found more or lesse abord of every Ship some of the Spanyards provisions the which was carried by the sayd Ships-boats abord of the St. Augustine and the Crowne two of the Spanish ships But for the Anchors and Cables that wee had taken up that they Cut away in the Road those wee detayned abord untill farther Order from the Lord Admirall But wee would not suffer the Deal Pilots to meddle with any one of the Anchors At Night there came a Packet from the Lord Admirall that wee should not suffer any one to meddle with an Anchor or Wrack if they were so neare the shore as that a Horseman riding into the Sea at low water could reach it with his Launce or Speare and that wee should not meddle with any thing within that limit for that Priviledge did belong to the Lord Warden or to the Lords of the Manner Likewise there came another Packet for the Ships that were lately sent downe to returne to Chatham and the Ships which were sent from London to returne to London onely the Winter guard so there was none left but the Winter guard The next day Captaine Slingsby carried over the Spanish Master Delda Campo And the same day there came over Eight Dunkirke Sloopes who carried away foure hundred Souldiers that set sayle in the after-noone The next day all the Ships had their Warrants to take the first opportunity of wind and wether to returne from whence they came FINIS Animadversions by A. B. ENGLAND take heed thy Navy is not Right And discontented are thy men of Might Thy Ships are sluggish and for want of Dyet Thy best affected Sea-men are unquiet The Prizes which they take are fool'd away And for their Thirds the Sea-men have no Pay These are the Reasons why they move so sloe And doe no Service wheresoe're they goe The Resolution of A. B. THough J doe Row against the Tide and Wind And little Comfort in my Labours find J am resolv'd to Row whilst J can speake For ENGLANDS Good although my heart J breake ANDREWES BVRRELL FINIS
according to their natures The Spanyards braggaâ—oissioâ— out of their pride slighted the fight and said that the Dunkirkers did not behave themselves as they ought to have done and wished that they had bin there and then they would have beaten those Pitchellinggos out of the Sea or have sunke them all and did alwaies afterwards slight the Dunkirkers and gave them no respect at all and did take out of their Ships the choysest of their Gunners and most of their best men to manage their Ordnance and to man their Spanish ships and plac't in their stead abord of the Durkirkers very Scoundrels The which was taken very much to heart by the Dunkirkers The Dunkirkers resolutionâ— insomuch that they made as it were a Combination between themselves that when they return'd if that they did meet with the Hollanders of the which they made no question they would make tryall what the Spanyards would doe for they were to fight by Squadrons the Admirall of the Spanyards his squadron first to begin and the rest according to instructions And the resolution of the Dunkirks squadron was that they would not shoot one shot at the Hollanders nor give the Spanyard any succour except they did perceive that some of their Admirals were in danger to bee taken by the Hollander and then they would doe their best to secure them the which they likewise performed when the fight was as hereafter I shall make mention This Information I received from Mr. T. Williams of Dover and divers others that brought ammunition and victuals unto the Groyne out of the wester and southern Islands and likewise from the mayne of Spaine and Portugall for that Fleet which was making ready it seemes untill towards the later end of August 1639. For on the 5. of September following 5. Of Septemb. the Hollanders first met with the Spanyards against Arundest Admirall Trump with 7 sayle of Ships and Frigots wayting for this Fleet which was a far greater number then hee did expect consisting of 66. sayle of Ships the most part of them great Gallions and Flemish ships that they had bought hyred and taken from the Dutch all well fitted with Ordnance and ammunition and 10. thousand Land men besides the Sea-men and Soldiers belonging unto their ships These Ships were commanded by Don Antonio de Oquendo principall Admirall whose ship had 66 Pieces of great Ordnance and his Vice-admirall was Don Andrews de Castrewd a ship with 56 Pieces of Ordnance and the Admirall of Portugall his name was Don Lopez de Ossad a ship of 70 Pieces of Ordnance the 2 Admirals being brave old Men. There was also the Admirall of Sivell and the Admirall of Naples and the Admirall of Dunkirk with their Vice and Rere-admirals but for their names and the strength of their Ships I was not so inquisitive as to give you any Relation thereof Presently after day light this present day aforesaid the wind being at N. N W. this Fleet being to the Eastward of Wight The Fight began at 9 in the morning the 5. of September 1639. thwart of Arundell The Hollander discryed them being right to Leeward off them upon which Admirall Trump called a short Councell and incouraged all his Fleet now to behave themselves like Men and then with Gods assistance he doubted not but they should doe their Country good service and gain themselves honour the which all resolved with heart and hand to performe and having the Larbord-tacks aboard held it up close upon a wind and as they came neate unto them they payed a little roome to get from amongst them and likewise to try how their Ships did sayle by the Spanyards and perceiving that they went better then the most part of their Enemies they laskt it away with a fathom of the sheat to the Eastward and the Spanesh Admirall and some other that were the best saylers gave them chase and the rest of the Fleet followed the Hollanders perceiving that they had got the Admirall and a part of the Fleet from the rest shortned sayles and about 9. of the clock in the morning the Fight began the Hollanders still as it were flying from them but Birtht themselves so having a faire gale of wind that in following each other they were but two Ships length a sunder and when they looft up to give their broad sides one was cleere of the other But the first broad side that one of the foremost ships of the Hollanders gave by what accident no man knoweth the Ship blew up all to pieces but some of their men were taken up by the spanyards which accident was much lamented by the Hollanders for the losse of the Ship and Men and likewise for the want of her force being a good Ship of 36 Pieces of Ordnance Likewise after this another mischanee hapned aboard their Vice-admirall De White he having a barrell of Powder in his Round-house to fill Cartridges which by negligence was fired and blew up the Round house whereon the Drummer was beating his Drum who was likewise taken up by the spanyards the fire was presently quenched and not much disheartning to the hollander but a mighty incouragament unto the spanyards who did still pursue their Fight Ceased sighting at 3. after noone and the Hollanders in a seeming flight behaved themselves so well that at 3. a clock after-noon the spanyards began to grow weary having his Masts and yards shot strook his Top-sayles and lay by the Lee and staid for the rest of his Fleet and when they came up they all lay by the Lee together to repaire their Masts and rigging upon which the Hollander run to Leewards off them out of shot and likewise clapt his Ship by the Lee and cald a Councell and sent a Frigot presently to call 9 other of their fleet from Duakirk road September and gave him Instructions when he return'd with those 9 Ships to shoot of 2 Pieces of Ordnance every quarter of an houre and when hee was answered by one presently after the discharging of his 2 Pieces 5. th 4 or 5 times one after the other then they might be sure that it was their Fleet and might thereby steere with them albeit it were dark night or thick weather the which as hereafter was carefully observed Towards night the wind shifted and came to the S.w. faire weather they lay all night by the Lee and untill after-noone the next day before they could fit themselves and were drove between Beachy and Faire-Lee and towards night Sir Henry Mannoring Vice-admirall unto Sir John Pennington with 6. of his Majesties ships that were to lye between Beachy and the Ness espying this great Fleet bore into the fleet and having a Councell aboard the Vice admirall 6. th agreed to send Captain Iohn Hall aboard of the Spanish Admirall to command him to strike his Flag who was courâ—eously entertained by the Spanish Admirall who related unto him their Fight that they had had
Spanyards might run away in the night Wednesday 11. to the which Sir Iohn made answer that the Channels were narrow and the nights darke so that hee was verily perswaded they could not nor would not put it to such a hazard as to goe that way yet he sayd that if so be that they did doubt of any such thing they might if they pleased send some of their Ships to ride to the Northwards in the mouth of the Gualls and likewise at the inner Channell betweene the Brakes and Quearns September 1639. and at the North sands head but to ride to the northwards of them in the Road hee would by no meanes condiscend unto it with which answer they return'd but did not send any Ships to the Northwards as aforesaid Towards night the Marquis Hamilton the Earle of Denby and Mr. Some of the Spanish ships missing Indimeon Porter and others came from London abord of Sir John and lodg'd there all the night the wind at W. S w. At day light in the morning the wind continuing wee did misse 13 or 14 sayle of the small Spanish ships that rode to the Northward of ns the which did trouble Sir Iohn Penington exceedingly Thursday 12. after noone the Lord Marquis and his Brother with the Earle of Denby rode away for London the Hollanders sent abord unto Sir Iohn to desire leave that they might ride to the northwards of the Spanyards the which he presently granted with an expression of sorrowfulnesse that the Spanyards had made such an escape 14 Sayle of them past by us and saluted us and birtht themselves to the best advantage to the northwards of the Fleet within lesse then musket shot of the Spany-rds In the morning by sun rising divers of the Rere-admirals of the Spanish fleet put out their Flags it being one of their Holidayes but wee shot a faire shot at the next Ship to us The 8 English ships camein with 2000 Spanish souldiers in them and presently they took in all their Flags after which the Exchange Capt. Wil. Browne and the Peregrene Peter Tatom of London Mr. and the Assur of Ipswich Isaac Bromwell Mr. and 5. other English ships came into the Downes with 2000 spanish souldiers in them the which they should have carried unto Duakirk the wind at W. S W. faire weather They were no sooner at an anchor but the Hollanders sent abord to Sir Iohn to complaine of their comming into the rode Our Admirall sent me presently to stay them all untill they had order from him to depart Friday 13 and he presently wrote a Packet up to the Lord Admirall for directions therein after noone the Admirall of the Spanyards sent unto Admirall Penington September 1639. to defire him to stay the Hollanders in the Rode two tydes after hee was gone with his Fleet who answered that he could not doe the Hollanders that injustice but did advice them to make all the speed that they could and get into Flâ—nders before the winds came Easterly otherwaies they would have more enemies come out of Holland then they did expect The wind then blew stiffe at S W. by W. and at night westerly and so continued all night and all the day following this day Sir Iohn sent to invite Admirall Tremp to dinner with him to morrow the which hee modestly denied desiring excuse for his businesse was very great that hee was to looke after Towards night the wind southered and likely to prove foule weather Saturday 14. which caused me to doubt of the safety of the Spanyards they riding so thick and being very badly fitted with ground-tackle Amongst other discourse with Admirall Tromp he said that if the weather should storme up as it doth usually at this time of the yeare Admirall Tromps accompt made up what would become of the Spanish fleet Within short time the King of England would have all the Spanyards Guns the Countrey people would have the Ships and the Divell would have the men Meaning that they would all drive a shore if not worse As yet the 8. English ships with the Souldiers for the most part rode amongst the Hollanders Sir Iohn Penington sent to them to Command them to birth themselves to the Northwards of the Spanyards but some of them could not wey their anchors their men were so feeble with sicknesse and indeed there was many Sea-men sick in all the Spanish fleet Sunday 15. This day came the second Whelp from Dunkirk and Capt. Burley certified our Admirall that there was 13. sayle of the Spanish fleet arived there with 3000 men These were the Ships that ran away to the Northwards in the night which are formerly mentioned the wind being all this day between the SE and S. S E. which caused the Hollanders to rejoyce Monday 16. for with those winds they did expect more ayd Towards day-light on Munday the wind backt againe to S. S W. September 1639. and Three small Hollands men of War came in who were part of a Fleet of 20 sayle most of them great ships 20 Sayle of Hollands men of War more came in who had amongst them besides their Seamen 1000 choise Souldiers to be put into these ships that were heere which Fleet came all in that night and the next morning they being now 50 sayle and the Spanyards as many Before day there came a Packet to our Admirall wherein the Lord Admirall sent word that divers of his Majestis ships were fitting up at Chatham and 6 Merchant ships at London and would very suddenly bee downe with him in the meane time hee gave him order to stay all the English ships that were in the Road and all that should come into the road either outwards or homewards bound to assist him if any occasion should be for it Vpon which our Admirall gave me a warrant to stay all the English in the road if they had 12 Pieces of Ordnance or upwards and I found but 10 of that force the names whereof and the Commanders names were as followeth viz. The William and Ralph Iames Flawes Mr. having 18 Pieces of Ordnance From Zant. The Hope of London William Iope Mr. with 16 Pieces of Ordnance bound to Plimouth The Anne Bonaventure of London William Spencer Mr. 24. Pieces of Ordnance The Speedwell of London Benjamin Peters Mr. with 25 Pieces of Ordnance The Iohn and Thomas of London Diggory Man Mr. with 22 Pieces of Ordnance All 4. bound for Plimouth to load Pilchers Thomas Clarke Mr. of the Leopard of London with 20 Pieces of Ordnance bound to Maligo Iohn Flowers Mr. of the Dorset of London Marchant ships taken up with 18 Pieces of Ordnance bound for Summer Istands Iohn Flowers Mr. of the Golden Eagle of London with 22 Pieces bound for Barbary Richard Deane Mr. September 1639. of the Mary of London with 16 Pieces of Ordnance bound for the Canaries The Martha of London Tho Wiliams Mr. with
15 Pieces of Ordnance bound for St. Lukar All these Masters J commanded to bee ready to assist the Admirall to the uttermost of their power if any occasion should present it selfe by any Fight between the Hollanders and Spanyards Tuesday 17. This day there came a Packet from the Lord Admirall to our Admirall wherein was mentioned that the Dutch Embassador upon a letter that he had received from Admirall Tromp made a complaint of our Admirall that he should say unto Capt. Cats Rere-admirall of the Hollanders and some other Captaines that hee sent abord unto Sir Iohn to desire leave that some of his Ships might ride to the northwards of the Spanyards as is before mentioned the 11.th day That hee would ingage his head that the spanish ships could not nor should not goe to the Northwards in the night otherwaies he would have sent ships to the Northward to look unto them the which did trouble our Admirall exceedingly And the next day in the morning hee sent Captain Richard Fielding Capt. Robert Slingsby Capt. Edward Popham and my selfe abord of the Hollands Admirall to justifie that our Admirall did never ingage himselfe unto Capt. Cats and the other Captain that the Spanyards should not goe out to the Northwards in the night for wee did all of us heare all the Conference that past between our Admirall and Capt. Cats and we gave him to understand that our Admirall did not take it well from him that hee should write such falsities of him unto their Embassadour To the which Admirall Tromp answered Wednesd 18. that he had writ nothing but what his Rere-admirall Capt. Cats had related unto him which was that Sir Iohn Penington did say that hee would ingage his head that the spanish ships could not nor should not goe out in the Night But Capt. Cats being there present denied in secret unto us that he never mentioned should not but that his Admirall had added that unto the message that he brought him and as I conceived thereby the better to cleer himself from his neglect of sending some ships to Ride in the Chanells to the Northwards as aforesaid But Cats durst not openly deny it fort hen he should have given his Admirall the lye so the fault was wholly laid upon Capt. Cats with the which answer we returned Afterward I was sent again single aboard of Admirall Tromp as it were to give him a visit by my self and to have an hour or twoconference together to which he had divers times invited me familiarly called me brother hoping thereby to get something out of him being single more then we could when there was more company with him But I could not learn from him that he had as yet received any other instructions from the States then his generall instructions albeit that he had divers times writ unto them for some other instructions what he should doe in this particular businesse But as yet could hear of any only that they did leave all to his discretion which did much trouble him for saith he if so be that the Spanyards should begin to stir from thence if he did not begin with them before they were wholly out of the Road when they came a broad many of them if it were a gail of winde would escape them and again on the contrary if so be that he should begin with them in the Road then he doubted that we would take part with the Spanyards whereby a breach might be made between his Majestie and the States of Molland which would not easily be reconciled 18. Wendsd if so be that the States should allow and support him in what he should do in this kinde But he doubted that rather then the States would have any difference with his Majesty they would leave him to the mercy of the King and then said he it may be that I may be hanged for my good service Wherefore he resolved not to begin nor do any thing in the Road unlesse they gave him warrant for it also in our discourse he demanded of me how many ships we had of the Kings and Marchant men that we had taken up in the Road I answered that we were four or five and twenty Sayle well said he you are so many and the Spanyards are 50 Sayle and we are said he of our Fleet 50 Sayle I would you were all enemies and had freedome to fight in the Road to which I replied that if the Spanyards were all man'd with English men and I had the command of them we would beat them out of the Sea unto which he replied you do mistake me I do mean that I would that your Fleet were away and so many Spanyards in your place mane'd with their own Nation and then he would not fear to buckle with them all After this I had order to take up all the small English ships that had Ordnance in the Road and to give them order to put our pendants One half I appointed for the Admirall and the other half for the Vice-admiralls squadron the winde towards night at S. S. E. and S. E. by S. and began blow hard and about 3 a clock in the morning very much winde so that divers of the Spanyards drove and brought all their anchors a head one of them drove thwart a Genawesses 〈◊〉 and put her from her anchors and Cables who drove a shore right against the Beacon that stands amongst the sand-hills 19th but it being a most a quarter ebb before she drove a shore and being a strong ship the water fell from her so fast that he took no hurt that tyde and before the flood came again the winde Westward and proved faire weather so that the Sea was very smooth and when she fleeted set sayle having one anchor and Cable brought her from one of the Pilots of Deal and anchored amongst the Hollanders This day there came a packet from the Lord Admirall with order to our Admirall to stay five vessels that it seems had taken upon them to carry over all the Spanyards to Dunkirk that were brought in the English ships and the names of the Masters of these Barks viz. were as followeth Thursday 19th Richard Gilbert Henry Read Hugh Lawes and Richard Tattom and William Williams to which purpose Sir Iohn Penington gave me a warrant and command to search diligently amongst the Fleet for these Masters and vessels which order I shewed unto Admirall Tromp the which did cause him to rejoyce exceedingly to see that his Majestie was so just in his carriage between them and the Spanyards and said that by his next he would make it known unto his Masters the States All that after-noone and the next morning I searched for these Vessells and went abord of all the small Vessels in the Road but could not find any Souldiers abord of any of them and likewise forwarned all of them in the Kings name that they should not take in any Spanish Souldiers
to relate false tales after this answer we demanded of him if that he had as yet received any other instructions from the States of Holland then he had formerly he said not one word This day the Earle of Warwick in his Pinnesse called the Penington came down from London to view the two Fleets the Dutch being now about 80 sayle or upwards the wind Easterly and so it continued the next day Sir Iohn received order from the Lord Admirall for the clearing of the Mary of London Richard Dearme Mr. for the Cannaries after which Sir John sent me abord of all the English ships that brought Souldiers and to take them up that I found fitting for his Majesties service but I found but three of them fitting for that service which was the Exchange of London William Browne Captaine with 32 Pieces of Ordnance the Perregreen of Loadon Peter Tattom Mr. with 17 Pieces of Ordnance and the Assurance of London Isaac Bromwell Mr. with 18 Pieces of Ordnance 25th Wendsday in the which ships especially the two last there was divers sick men for the rest of that Fleet they had so many sick men that they were cleared away to go whether they would the winde continued Easterly and more Hollanders came into the Road. A Packet came from London certifying Sir Iohn Pennington there was order for 6 ships more of the Kings to be made ready with all expedition besides those 8 ships and 6 Marchant men formetly mentioned and that they were all ready to set sayle nothing wanting but a wind to bring them to us the wind being stâ—ll Easterly in the morning Sir Iohn sent me abord of Admirall Trump to invite him to dinner but he desired to be excused Trump invited the second time to dinner the which he did relate unto me that I might give Sir Iohn our Admirall to understand that it was not for want of love and respect unto him for he said in the first place I have so much businesse that I cannot be absent from my ship one half hour muchlesse three houres which is but a vsuall time for a dinner secondly he said that he had a great many of clownish Boars amongst his Captains 26th Thursday that neither understood civillity nor manners and that they would be ready to mâ—kâ— the States acquainted with my being absent from my businesse and would not stick to say as they had formerly done by my Predesessor the Gâ—ave Van Dorpt which was cast in his teeth divers times by the States that he did neglect his businesse and lost many oportunities of doing them good services by feasting with our Admirall Sir Iohn Penington to whom he desired to remember his humble service and said that hereafter he was in hope to come hither when he should not have so much businesse and then he would wait upon him This after noone 9 Hollanders more came into the Road also one Mr. Smith of Marget who is Water baily of that Port or deputy unto Mr. Iohn Iacob Serjeant of the Admiralty for the Sinke Ports came abord to Sir Iohn to complaine that this morning a Hollands Frigat came into their road with a Pendant on the main-top-mast-head and a lack on the Bolspit being of his Majesties Colours and an Ancient on his poop of English Colours This Frigat took two Catches full of Spanish Soldiers that rode at anchor close by the Peer-head upon which Mr. 2 Catehes taken by the Mollouders the Souldiers in them Smith my Lord Wardens officer went abord of the Fright and demanded of him how he durst presume to weare his Majesties Colours and under those Colours to come into his Road and take away his subjects and their Vessels the Hollanders answered by Sir Iohn Peningtons order Mr. Smith demanded to see that order upon which they brought out their Admiralls warrant but could not shew none from Sir Iohn where upon he fell a starne of the Vessell and made a figne to the Fort who shot presently at them and shot the Hollander through and through yet he ran thencewith the two Catches and carried them cleere away Sir Iohn hearing this relation was exceedingly vext at it 26. Thursday presently sent Sir Henry Mannering his Vice-admirall and myself abord of Admirall Trump to require satisfaction from him for the misdemeanor of that Captaine that did presume to weare his Majesties Colours and to take those Vessels from under his Fort and likewse for saying that he did it by our Admitalls order to the which he answered that he had given order to Iohn Everson the Vice-admirall of Flushing who had the command of all the Squadron of ships that rode to the Northwards of the Spanyards to send a small Pinnesse that way to look out for two Catches with Souldiers that he had notice of that had taken Soldiers out of one of the English Ships the night before and if so be that they could take them to carry them for Flushing but for the wearing the English Colours or giving him order to take them under the Fort or that they should say they did it by Sir Iohn Peningtons order all these he utterly disclaimed and said that he would give order that none of his Fleet should presume to do the like hereafter after this answer he told us that the Lord Connaway and Colonell Goring desired to be abord with him in his Ship the Colonell alledging that it was his duty to doe the best Service he could for his Masters the States of Holland from whence he did acknowledge to have a great part of his livelihood and the Lord Conaway desired for experience sake to be aboard of him but desired that he might have his great Cabbin and that he might set up a Bed-sted in it but he said that he could not spare his Cabbin and said he I have no other lodging for my self nor any place for my Captains to meet in when I have occasion to call a Councell which is almost every day upon one businesse or other and likewise he told his Lordship that he had neither Cooks nor Cook-rooms to dresse his meat in for said he for my part I can make a meale with a pickled Herring and a Ham of Bacon he likewise told them that they could not doe him any Service they might chance if they stayed with him to lose a Leg or an Arme or it may be their lives Thursday 26th for they would stand but as a mark for the Enemies to shoot at At our return abord Sir Henry Manering did speak as much unto the Lord Conaway and concluded that if he should come to any hurt in that Service he would be laught at and derided for adventuring his person into such danger it not being for his King nor Countries Service In the morning little winde Southerly and so continued most part of the day about noone the Spaniards Masts from Dover was towed into the Downes by a Hollands Frigot who
Portugall Admirall abord upon the weather bow amongst his anchors which intangled him and hindred his way and presently five of their Fire-ships boarded him on both sides and fired all on a sodaine and burnt all 7. together Don Anthony de Oquendo upon this fearing the like made all the sayle that he could to the Westwards divers of the rest of the Spanyards they tooke But of that hereafter The Hollanders that came through the Guls from the Northwards perceiving us at Anchor neare the Southermost of the Spanyards that were a-shore kept off without shot of us and followed their Admirall the wind being at N.N.W. a stiffe gale And by that time that the tyde came to windwards the Hollanders men of War that were a-shore fleeted and ran of thinking to have got out to windwards of us at the South sands head but we stood off and shot at them and at the first shot they stroke their Top-sayles and after the second shot they bore up under our Lee and both their Captaines were commanded abord of us Our Admirall caused the Flag to be lung out for a generall Councell who being all met abord of us Our Admirall demanded their opinions what they thought fittest to be done with these two Captains and their ships and withall gave his opinion that if so bee that we should detaine them they were no considerable satisfaction for his Majestie for the affront done unto him for their beginning the fight in his Road comonly called his Majesteis Chamber Also he sayd that questionlesse the Hollanders would returne to looke after those ships of the Spanyards that were run a-shore and finding these two of his ships stayd by us doubtlesse hee would require them of us and wee having once made stay of them could not with honour deliver them And if so be that hee should by force take them from us as very well he might having five times our strength it would bee a greater affront unto his Majesty and disgrace unto us Also he said that hereafter their force would decrease and ours might increase and then we might happen to seaze upon some better purchase or more and better ships and men therby to give his Majesty better satisfaction if he required it upon a small debate hereof we all concluded to cleare them away for the which the Dutch Captaines did very much rejoyce then it was likewise concluded that Capt. Iohn Hall Captaine of the Dread-naught should goe up to his Majesty with a true Relation of what had past that day sevenight by our Admirall and all the Captaines and Masters of the fleet At this time he was set ashore being 7 a clocke at night at which time wee did see a great flash like Lightning over the Foreland which was the Portugals Admirals powder that blew up when the fire came to it At high-water some of the Ships got of from the shore after midnight the wind came to the West and W. and by N. and blew hard So that the next Tyde all the ships that were tight drove off the shore whereof their was eight Lubickers and Hambourgers Sir Iohn Penington sent Capt. Fielding and my selfe a-bord of all the Spanyards that were come off from the shore and found them in great distresse for want of Cables and Anchors for they were all Cut away when the Fight began Also wee found but very few men Especially Sea-men abord of most of the Spanyards amongst the rest wee were abord of Don Andrewes de Castro's ship the Vice admirall of the fleet who had 56 Pieces of brasse Ordnance in her which ship was drove from the shore with the Westerly wind but had two Anchors and Cables out both towards the Land which anchors were dry at lowwater The men wee found all of them packing up to goe a-shore we demanded the reason why they left their Ship they answered that they were wearied with Pomping and said their hold was full of water But wee answered them that there could not bee much water in her for the ship was a-float and did Swim as jocant now as shee did when she was in the Raod also I lookt downe into the hold and could perceive the flowre dry upon which we perswaded them to continue abord and not so basely to loose a ship of that worth and consequence and Inquiring for the chiefe Officers belonging to the said ship found that they were all gone a-shore to Don Andrews de Castro their Vice-admirall to take Instructions from him what they should doe with their Ship this relation or answer we had from the Master and the Pilot of Captaine Whellers ship A Donkerker that was sunke three ships length without the Vice-admirall unto whom I proffered that if they would give way to it I would bring some English-men abord and save the ship their Answer was that they must follow the Command of the Vice-admirall and what hee commanded they would follow then I said unto them if so bee that you doe not get an Anchor off to keepe the ship a-float their best course were for to heave the ship as neare the shore as they could at high water whereby they might save all her provisions for the Ship rid a-float at low water They answered as formerly they must follow Instructions from their Vice admirall c. This ship was between Kings-downe and Wamer Castle and close by her lay the Dunktrker aforesaid sunke and two ships bottoms that were burnt by the hollands fire-ship which drove off and burnt till shee came thwart of the South foreland and there sunke Saturday 12 What Ships of the Spanish Fleet were lost upon the shore at Deal this ship of the Vice admirals rode as we left her and did wind too and fro with the Flood and Ebb and Sunk not vntill Monday afternoone in three fatham and a halfe or 4 fatham at low water They having neglected my Advise to heave her close to the shore wherby they might have had her dry at low water By which neglect the most of her provisions were lost which might otherwayes have bin saved Likewise there was one ship sunke to the Southwards of Deal Castle a Flemesh Hul and two Spanish ships to the Northwards between the Castle and the Towne and at the North end of the Towne lay a brave ship of Ienaway All these ships were lost and torne to pieces by the stormy wether and the Inhabitants but it was some 4 or 5 dayes after This Evening his Majest ship the Leoper comanded by Capt. George Cartwright who was one of the ships that were making ready for our ayd came into the Downs from Portsmouth and with her the second Whelp who was put into Wight by the Easterly windes having bin at the Soyn-head with a Convoy the wind blowing hard at W. Sunday 13. The Hollanders returned into the Road to repaire some defects by S. and also continued all the next day Three of the 6. Marchant men prepared at London
for his Majesties service came into the Road who reported that the rest of their Fleet would be downe soone after them The next morning before noone a Spanish Commander came with a Letter from the Lord Warden to desire our Admirall to send some Ships into Dover Road to secure one of the Spanish Galeons that had bin run a-shore between Dover Castle and the Peere neare unto Dover Iust at that instant we described the Hollanders fleet comming about the South foreland but the Admirall had no Colours abroad they came all unto Anchor right thwart of Kings-downe the Admirall came headmost and saluted us and so did all his Fleet one after another But we did not answer him one Piece of Ordnance when we deseryed them a Councell was called and Order given that all our Ships should be presently made ready to set sayle Also it was Ordered that Captain Rich. Fielding Capt. Cartwright and my selfe should goe to the â—ollands Admirall to inquire what his Intention was that hee did returne againe into his Majesties Road unto whom he had given so high an affront But the wind blowing so hard and the tyde against us wee could not get abord of him that night At day light the wind not so boysterous but continuing still westerly wee got abord of them and demanded of Admirall Tromp his intention as abovesaid who answered that hee had no other Intent for his comming in there but to Repaire some defects that his Fleet had sustained in the fight with the Spanyards as to fish some of their Masts and yards that were shot and also to stop some shot-holes between wind and water Then we demanded of him what hurt he had sustained in the fight and what damage he had done to his Enemies He answered praised be God he had received no great damage amongst his Fleet and that hee had taken 9. or 10. Sayle of the Spanish Galeons and hoped of more taken by some ships of his and had fired the Portugals Admirall as is formerly mentioned and how that Don Lopus de Ossa the Commander of that ship and his Company did shew themselves brave Soldiers for her lower Ordnance continued playing vpon them when the fire was at their Top-masts head also he said that they saved of the Spanyards that lept overbord nere 70 men who did certify him that Don Lopus albeit he was a man of above 70 years of age and had his arme shot of in the begining of the fight yet hee continued above vpon the upper deek Incouraging of his men to fight it out unto the last vntill the fire seazed vpon him whose death he did much lament Also he said that the prime Admirall Don Anthony do Oquendo never Cut his Mainsayle nor let fall his Sprit sayle but continued by his consort Don Lopus so long as he could succor him but when he see him fired and past hopes of Reliefe he made all the Saile that he could and with the Admirall of Donkerke divers other ships of his fleet he ran away to the westwards Before midnight the wind Westered so that so farre as they were a head of the Hollanders so much they were to windwards of them yet the Hollanders plyed too and fro all the night expecting that on the morrow by shift of wind they might recover them But in the Morning not one of them were in sight so that he thought that they had got Donkirk But said hee I hope ere long to Burne both him and all his Fleet as they ride in the Road under the Splinter Amongst other discourse with him I did Inquire for my Friend Captaine Forran a French Captaine formerly mentioned and how he had behaved himselfe in the fight he answered me that he was a stout man of Warre and said that if so be that all his Captains had bin such as he was they might have done more then they did But hee imployed him about a businesse of Consequence otherwayes he had been in the Road. Which was as J was afterward informed to take the Spanish Galeon that rode in Dover Road. The which Service he performed for the next day there came Complaints unto our Admirall that she was taken out of the Road in the night and carried away which was impossible for us to prevent For the Hollands Fleet did ride in the mid-way betweene the Spanyard and our Fleet. After which hee demanded of vs what was the state of all the Spanyards that were run ashore vpon the strand we answered that the greatest part of them were Sunke and splitt so that they would come to the Country People according as he had destined them at his first Coming hither and that the hamborgers and Lubikers had possession of ther ships discharged their Souldiers and for the rest they were sould and possest by English men which was Related by his Order before all his Captains that were abord with him which were at least 20 or 30 of them vpon which bee said that hee was glad that the English had so much Benefit by them and also that thereby hee was free from being Ingaged to fetch them from the shore and from amongst our fleet as some of his other Captaines had made a motion to have him doe for saith he I might thereby have given his Majestie and the whole Fleet of England more distast then with all that he had formerly done the which he would be very loath to doe But if so be that the English had not had possession of them By the Instigation of the rest of his Fleet he must have bin forced to put it to a hazard To which we answered that our strength was now increast and we did expect more before many houres so that hee would find it a worse bought then all which proved accordingly for before Night there came into the Downes foure of his Majesties Ships of the second Rank and one of the third Ranke and Six of the best straights Merchants Ships that were in the River of Thames The wind after-noone at N. N.W. After our comming abord to Sir John and relating what we had heard and sayd hee sent Captain Slinsby and my selfe ashore unto the Spanish Vice-Admirall Don Andrewes de Castro To certifie him of all what wee had heard from the Hollanders and how that wee had Informed them that all his Ships that were a-sloat were in the posfession of the English By which meanes wee had diverted them from their Resolutions which was to have come and taken them all away with them which would have cost him a Bloody nose at least Also we certified him that our Admirall was sorry to heare of the base Cariage of the Country people towards him and his Men the which was come to his Majesties knowledge for the Earle of Northumberland bâ—d Intimated so much in a Packet to our Admirall and that his Majesty would have him to take care that they should not suffer any wrong by any of his Subjects The which