In this diary or, more strictly, narrative, which enters more fully into particulars than the other pamphlets, Mr. Whittle gives a graphic account of the arrangements for, and the departure of, the expedition, the storm which sent it back again, its refitting, second departure, and safe (if not miraculous) arrival in Torbay, of all of which the writer was evidently an eye-witness.
The number of our capital ships or men-of-war was about fifty, which were very well rig’d, mann’d, and provided with all things requisite; the number of our fire-ships was about five and twenty; lesser Men-of-war or Frigats about six and twenty; the number of Merchant Ships, Pinks, Fly-boats and others was about three hundred and odd; so the total number of the Fleet as they sailed from the Brill was about four hundred and odd ships. But at our setting out the second time, at Hellevort-Sluys, there were near an hundred vessels more, which were Schievelingers or Boats which the Fisher-men of Schieveling went to sea in.
Whittle gives the following account of the final departure of the expedition:—
Upon Thursday, Novemb. 1, Old Stile, Novemb. 11, New Stile, after the Prince of Orange had din’d with all English, Dutch, Scotch, and French Lords, Knights and Gentlemen attending his Sacred Person, about three or four of clock in the afternoon, he went on board a new vessel of about Twenty-eight Guns, with the Rotterdam’s Admiral call’d the Brill, as some will have it, and being now in his Cabin, fired, for to give notice unto all the Fleet to weigh their anchors and make Sail, which was accordingly done by every Ship with all possible expedition. The whole Fleet was divided into three Squadrons; the Red Flag was for the English and Scotch, commanded by Major-General Mackay; the White Flag was for the Prince’s Guards and the Brandenburghers, commanded by Count Solms; the Blew Flag was for the Dutch and French, commanded by Count Nassau. Now every Ship had a certain Mark, or Token, that it might be known unto what Squadron she belongd.
So once more the whole Fleet (thro’ God’s blessing) was under sail for England, with a very favourable East Wind. The darkness coming on us, all the Ships set out their Lights, which was very pleasant to see, and the Ship in which the Prince of Orange was, had three Lanthorns, the Men of War two, and each other Ship one.
Whittle brings the fleet to the English shores, and thus continues:—
On the morrow-morning, being the Lord’s day, Novemb. 4, Old Stile, which was the happy Birthday of his thrice Illustrious Highness, the Prince of Orange; most men were of opinion that we should land either in the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, or some other convenient place, about which matter they were much mistaken, for the Prince of Orange did not sail, but observe the duty of the day; so all were driven of the Waves. Prayers and Sermon being done, he went to Dinner with some Nobles attending him, and about Four of Clock in the afternoon made sail, all the whole Fleet following the example of his ship; now every Schipper endeavour’d for to keep sight of the three Lanthorns or Admiral of Rotterdam’s Ship for the sake of his Highness therein. The darkness shutting upon us all our Lights were set out as before.
Whittle then brings us down to the morning of Monday, the 5th of November, and proceeds as follows:—
So when the day began to dawn, we found that we were very near the English Shore, but whereabout we could not yet tell. The Ship in which the Prince of Orange was sailed so near the Shore that with much facility a man might cast a stone on the Land; we were driven very slowly, all our Sails being struck. The morning was very obscure with the Fog and Mist, and withal it was so calm that the Vessels now as ’twere touch’d each other, every Ship coming as near unto the Ship wherein the Prince of Orange was as the Schipper thereof would permit them. Here we were moving for a while very slowly by the Shore, and could see all the Rocks there abouts very plain. We perceived that we should land thereabout, but no place near was commodious for either Men or Horses, it being a steep Rock to march up. The Ships did all observe the motion of the three Lanthorns, which were driven by the Coast of England back again, for we had sailed somewhat beyond Torbay. And being thus calm’d for a while, it afterwards pleased the God of Heaven, that He gave us a West or Westerly Wind, which was the only Wind that could blow to bring us safe into the Bay; for even to this place we had an East and South-East Wind, which was indeed a good Wind to bring us from Holland, and along all the Channel, but not to carry us into the Bay, there were so many Rocks and Shelves on that side. Making some Sail again, his Highness the Prince of Orange gave order that his Standard should be put up, and accordingly it was done, the White Flag being put uppermost, signifying his most gracious offer of Peace unto all such as would live peaceably: And under that the Red or Bloody Flag was set up, signifying War unto all such as did oppose his just Designs. The Sun recovering strength soon dissipated the Fog, and dispers’d the Mist, insomuch that it prov’d a very pleasant Day. Now every Vessel set out its Colours, which made a very pleasant show. By this time the People of Devonshire thereabout had discovered the Fleet, the one telling the other thereof; they came flocking in droves to the side or brow of the Hills to view us: Some guess’d we were French, because they saw divers White Flags; but the Standard of the Prince, the Motto of which was, For the Protestant Religion and Liberty, soon undeceived them.
Others more discreet said, that it was the Dutch Fleet so much talk’d of in the Nation, and so long expected by most people. This Day was very remarkable in England before, being the fifth of November, the Bells were ringing as we were sailing towards the Bay, and as we landed, which many judged to be a good Omen: before we came into the Bay’s mouth, as we were near the Rocks, the People ran from Place to Place after us; and we being so near as to see and discern the Habit of the Country People, and they able to see us and hear our voices, a certain Minister in the Fleet, on board the Ship called the Golden Sun, went up to the top of the uppermost Cabin, where the Colours hang out, a Place where he could easily behold all the people on the Shore, and where they might most perfectly see him, and pulling a Bible out of his Pocket, he opened it, and held it so in his right Hand, making many flourishes with it unto the People, whose Eyes were fix’d on him, and duly observ’d him, thereby signifying to the People the flourishing of the Holy Gospel (by God’s Blessing upon the Prince of Orange’s Endeavours), and calling out as loud as he was able, said unto them on the top of the Rock: For the Protestant Religion, and maintaining of the Gospel in the Truth and Purity thereof, are we all by the Goodness and Providence of God come hither, after so many storms and Tempests. Moreover, said he, it is the Prince of Orange that’s come, a Zealous Defender of that Faith which is truly Ancient, Catholic, and Apostolical, who is the Supream Governour of this very great and fomidable Fleet. Whereupon all the People shouted for Joy, and Huzzas did now echo into the Air, many amongst them throwing up their Hats, and all making signs with their Hands. So after the Minister had given them some Salutations, and they returned him the same again, he came down from off the upper Deck, unto the vulgar one among his Acquaintance, who spoke to him about the People on the brow or side of the mountain.