At daybreak next morning we sailed. Soon after we got round the South Foreland, a fleet was descried from the mast-head of the Triumph, standing out from the land. The hearts of all on board beat high, for we believed that the enemy were in sight. But the strangers tacking soon showed English colours, and we found that it was the Plymouth squadron, which had been sent out to join us.
Thus, with eighty ships, we stood down Channel, with a north-westerly wind, until we had passed the Isle of Wight. When nearly up to the Bill of Portland, the Triumph leading, just as day broke the look-out aloft shouted—
“A fleet ahead, a fleet ahead! away to the south-west.”
There was no doubt now that the Dutch were in sight. The officer of the watch ordered me to call the admiral.
With a cheerful countenance he rose, and quickly dressing himself, came on deck, going to the fore-top, where I accompanied him, that he might take a perfect survey of the enemy with whom he was about to engage.
On one side of us was the Speaker, on the other the Fairfax, both within hail, and about a score of other ships forming our vanguard; but Admiral Monk, with the main body of the fleet, was still some four or five miles astern. Though we could see them, they were not visible to the Dutch admiral, Van Tromp, who, having under him many other celebrated captains, was known to command the Dutch fleet.
The sun, which was just rising above the horizon, clearing away the wintry mist, showed us the whole shining ocean covered with sails, a large proportion nearest to us being men-of-war, but fully three hundred others could be counted beyond them, which were supposed to be merchant vessels.
Undaunted by the overwhelming numbers opposed to him, without waiting for the rest of the fleet to come up, Admiral Blake pressed on with all sail to attack the enemy.
The leading ship of the Hollanders was recognised as the Brederode, carrying the flag of Van Tromp. Close astern of us came the Speaker and the Fairfax, the rest of the vanguard not being far behind.
“He hasn’t got the broom aloft,” whispered Dick to me, as he stood close to the admiral on the after-castle watching the enemy. “If he had we should soon knock it away.”