Part 4

The _Spanish_ Fleet, as has been said above, had been dispersed, and somewhat disabled by a violent Storm. This had like to have proved more fatal to the _English_ than to the _Spaniards_ themselves[49]. For it being reported all over _Europe_, that the whole _Spanish_ Fleet was destroyed, Queen _Elizabeth_ and her Ministers thought that it was at least so damaged, as that it could not proceed ’till the next Year. Relying therefore upon this Intelligence, which they took for certain, Secretary _Walsingham_ signified the Queen’s Pleasure to the Lord High-Admiral, to send back four of his largest Ships into Port. His Lordship had, in the mean time, likewise Intelligences sundry ways, that the Enemy’s Fleet was dispersed into several Ports of _Spain_, distressed, spoiled, in want of Provisions, and with a great Mortality among the Men. This, however, happened to be only a false Rumour. The Lord-Admiral not thinking it safe to depend upon such Uncertainties, when the Nation’s All was at Stake, got the Order countermanded; alledging how dangerous it was to be too credulous in a matter of such Importance, and that he would rather keep the Ships out at his own Charge, than hazard his Country’s Safety. But, in order to be fully satisfied, (as he was sure that the Coasts of _England_ and _France_, which he had examined, were clear) he thought proper[50], with the Advice of a Council of War, to take the Opportunity of the first Northerly Wind, and go in quest of the _Spanish_ Fleet, in the _Groyne_, and other Ports of _Gallicia_; and there utterly destroy it, if it were already so disabled as was reported; or, if otherwise, to get certain Intelligence concerning its true State and Condition. Accordingly his Lordship made Sail for the Coast of _Spain_, with a Northerly Wind, and held the same Course for about three Days, from the 8th to the 10th of _July_. He was not then above forty Leagues from that Kingdom, when being informed that the Enemy’s Fleet was not so much damaged as reported, and the Wind coming to be Southerly, he judged it best (as his Instructions were to guard the _English_ Coasts,) to return to _Plymouth_; lest the same Wind should bring the Enemies out, and carry them by him, unseen, towards _England_. He arrived at _Plymouth_ the 12th of _July_, and with great Expedition supplied his Fleet with whatever Necessaries were wanting.

His Caution was indeed very seasonable: For with the same Southerly Wind the Duke of _Medina Sidonia_ sailed, with the whole Fleet under his Command, from the _Groyne_, on the 12th of _July_, (the very same Day the Lord Admiral arrived at _Plymouth_,) and in two or three Days detached a Yatch to the Duke of _Parma_, with Notice of his being advanced so far. He pressed him at the same Time, to be ready with the Troops and Ships he was directed to provide, in order to pass over into _England_ under his Convoy, as soon as he should be arrived in the Streights of _Dover_.

While the _Spanish_ Fleet lay at the _Groyne_[51], an _English_ Fisherman that was taken and brought to that Place, gave the Enemies, either out of Ignorance or Design, this false Account: “That the _English_ Fleet had lately been at Sea; but seeing no Prospect of the _Spaniards_ pursuing their Design that Year, was returned, and the greater Part of the Men belonging to the Ships discharged.” This false Intelligence made the Duke of _Medina Sidonia_ deviate from his Instructions; and as he vainly supposed that he could easily surprise our Fleet, and burn or otherwise destroy it, he resolved not to lose so glorious an Opportunity. Instead therefore of going directly to join the Duke of _Parma_, a Resolution was taken in the _Spanish_ Fleet, to bend their Course towards _England_.

[52]On the 16th of _July_ there was a Calm and a thick Fog ’till Noon. Then the North East Wind blew very strong, and presently after the West Wind ’till Midnight; and then the East-South-East Wind; insomuch that the _Spanish_ Fleet being thereby dispersed, was hardly joined again ’till it came within Sight of _England_. At length this Fleet, after an indifferent Passage over the Bay of _Biscay_, arrived _July_ 19, in Sight of _England_ and entered the Channel. The first Land they made was the _Lizard_, which they took to be the _Ram’s Head_ near _Plymouth_; but Night approaching, they stood off, designing the next Morning to attack the _English_ Ships in _Plymouth_ Harbour.

The same Day[53], the Lord Admiral was informed by Captain _Thomas Flemming_, Commander of the _Golden Hind_ Pinnace, who had been left in the Channel for Discovery, that [Sidenote: PLATE 1.] the _Spanish_ Fleet was seen near the _Lizard_, the Wind being then Southerly, or South-West. Tho’ the Wind blew hard into _Plymouth-Sound_, and the Intelligence was not received ’till about four o’ Clock in the Afternoon, yet his Lordship, with much Diligence and Industry, got out the same Evening with six of his Ships, and anchored with them alone the whole Night, without the Harbour.

[54]The next Day, _July_ 20, the Lord High-Admiral, accompanied with fifty four Ships of his Fleet, that had plied out of the _Sound_, notwithstanding the South-West Wind, advanced towards the Enemy. They were scarce got as far as the _Eddystone_, when they discovered, about Noon, the _Spanish_ Fleet to the [Sidenote: PLATE 2.]Westward, opposite to _Fowey_, in form of a half Moon (the Points whereof were about seven Miles asunder) coming slowly up the Channel, tho’ with full Sails. The _English_ suffered them to pass by unmolested, that they might chace them in the rear, with all the Advantage of the Wind.

The next Morning, _July_ 21, all the _English_ Ships being then come out of _Plymouth_, and in number near a hundred, had recovered the Wind of the _Spaniards_[55], two Leagues to the Westward of _Eddystone_. About Nine o’ Clock, the Lord-Admiral sent his Pinnace, named the _Defiance_[56], to denounce War against the Enemy, by the Discharge of all her Guns. He himself immediately seconded her from his own Ship, the _Ark-Royal_, by thundering furiously on one of the Enemy’s, commanded by _Alphonso de Leva_, which he mistook for the _St. Martin_, the Admiral’s Ship; but she was, after a smart Engagement, [Sidenote: PLATE 3.]rescued by the _Spaniards_. In the mean time, Sir _Francis Drake_, Captain _John Hawkins_, and Captain _Martin Forbisher_, vigorously engaged the Enemy’s sternmost Ships, under the Conduit of their Vice-Admiral _Recalde_; in one of which _Recalde_ himself was supposed to be. He did all that a gallant Officer could do to keep his Ships together; but the Fight was so briskly maintained, that, notwithstanding all his Endeavours, they were forced to retreat to the main Body of the Fleet; and at length, his own Ship being very much damaged with Shot, and grown unserviceable, he retired thither himself, tho’ with much ado.

In this first Engagement _Recalde_’s Ship lost fifteen Men[57].

At the same time, the Duke of _Medina_ gathered together his Fleet[58], which was dispersed about; and hoisting more Sail, held on his Course with all the Speed he could make. Nor was it in his Power to do otherwise, seeing the Wind favoured the _English_, and their Ships were so light and nimble, that they would charge, wind, and tack about with incredible Swiftness; whereas the _Spanish_ great and heavy Slugs, stood like so many Butts for the _English_ Shot. Although the _Spaniards_ were so briskly charged by the _English_, they made a running Fight of it; and, after a smart Engagement of two Hours, the Lord High-Admiral thought fit to desist, because forty of his Ships were not yet come up, being scarce got out of _Plymouth_ Haven[59]. So not proceeding any farther, he gave the Signal for a Council of War;——Wherein his Lordship’s prudent and considerate Advice being very much approved, Orders were delivered to each Captain, in what manner they should pursue the Enemy.

The Night following, one of the _Spanish_ Ships, called the _St. Katherine_, having received much Damage in the Fight, was brought into the midst of their Fleet, to be repaired[60]. And a large _Biscayan_ Ship of eight hundred Tuns, belonging to _Michael de Oquendo_, Admiral of the _Guypuscoan_ Squadron, on board of which was the Treasurer of the Fleet, was designedly set on Fire by a _Dutch_ Gunner, who had been ill used[61]; but the _Spaniards_ took out the best Part of the Money, when they saw the Ship in Danger; and after her upper Part was burnt and blown up, the Flame was extinguished by some Ships that came seasonably to her Assistance. But one of them, a great Galleon, commanded by Don _Pedro de Valdez_, sprung her Foremast and Boltsprit, by falling foul of another Vessel in the Hurry and Confusion; and so, not being able to keep Company with the rest of the Fleet, was left behind. The Night being extremely dark, and the Sea running so high, that no Succour could come to her, she fell the next Day, _July_ 22, into the Hands of [Sidenote: PLATE 4.]Sir _Francis Drake_; who had her conducted to _Dartmouth_, and sent the Captain, and some other Gentlemen who were on board, Prisoners to _Plymouth_, where they remained eighteen Months, ’till their Ransoms were paid. In this Galleon was found fifty five thousand Ducats of Gold, which _Drake_’s Men shared amongst themselves.

[62]This Night the _Spanish_ Fleet bore along by the _Start_, and the next Morning was as far to the Leward as the _Berry_[63]. Sir _Francis Drake_ had been ordered to carry Lights; but being in full Chace of some _German_ Hulks, or Merchant-Men, which he discovered late in the Evening, and took for Enemies, he happened to neglect it; which occasioned most of the Fleet to lye by all Night, because not seeing the Lights, they knew not whom to follow. For that Reason, Sir _Francis_, and the rest of the Fleet, did not come up ’till the next Evening with the Lord Admiral; who, accompanied only with the _Bear_ and the _Mary Rose_, had pursued the Enemy, within Culverin Shot, all the foregoing Night. [64]Thro’ this Mistake, the rest of the _English_ Fleet staid so far behind, that the next Morning the nearest could scarce be seen half Mast high, and very many were quite out of Sight.

_July_ 22. This whole Day the _Spanish_ Admiral spent in disposing his Fleet in the best Order he could think of. [65]He commanded _Alphonso de Leva_ to bring the first and the last Squadron together; and assigning every particular Ship its proper Station in Battle, according to the Plan agreed on in _Spain_, enjoined their respective Commanders to keep the same on Pain of Death. He also dispatch’d _Glich_, an Ensign, to the Prince of _Parma_, to advise him of his near Approach, and inform him of the State of the Navy. In the mean time, the forementioned Ship of _Oquendo_ having been much damaged by the Fire, the _Spanish_ Admiral ordered, after the Officers, Men, and Money were removed into another Vessel, [Sidenote: PLATE 5.]that she should be abandoned, and set adrift[66]. Whereupon, the Lord High-Admiral sent the Lord _Thomas Howard_, and Captain _Hawkins_ in a small Skiff on board her, who found her in a very pitiful Condition. Her Decks were fallen in, the Steerage broken, the Stern blown out, and about fifty poor Creatures burnt with Powder in a most miserable manner. The Stench, as well as the horrible Spectacle, soon made them return to the Lord-Admiral; who ordered the Bark _Fleming_ to conduct her into some Port, and accordingly she was brought the next Day into _Weymouth_.

The Night following prov’d very calm; during which, the four Galleasses of _Naples_ singling themselves from the rest of the Enemy’s Fleet, gave Reason to suspect that they had a Design to distress some of the small _English_ Vessels, which were short of the Fleet; but their Courage failing them, they attempted nothing.

On the 23d the Wind turning to the North-East, the _Spaniards_ took the Advantage of it; and when they came over against _Portland_, tacked about upon the _English_, who presently tacked likewise, and stood in to the North-West, towards the Shore, as did the _Spaniards_ also. But that Course not being good for the _English_ to recover the Wind of the _Spaniards_, the former cast about to the Eastward. And, after several Attempts on both Sides to get the Weather-gage, the _Spaniards_ offering to board the _English_, a smart Engagement began, which was managed with Confusion enough, and with Variety of Success. The Enemy seeing several of the _English_ Ships waited their coming, particularly the _Ark_, the _Nonpareil_, the _Elizabeth-Jonas_, the _Victory_, _&c._ they fell a stern the _Nonpareil_, which was the hindmost Ship; and in the mean time, the _Triumph_, with the _Merchant-Royal_, the _Centurion_, the _Margaret_ and _John_, the _Mary-Rose_, and the _Golden-Lion_, were so far to the Leeward, and at such a Distance from the rest of the Fleet, that the Galleasses took Courage, and bearing down upon them, attacked them very vigorously; but they gave them a warm Reception for an Hour and a half, ’till some of her Majesty’s Ships came to their Relief.

The Wind then shifted to the South-East, and afterwards to the South-South-West; [Sidenote: PLATE 6.]whereupon a Body of _English_ Ships, and several Merchant-Men attacked the _Spanish_ Fleet so sharply to the Westward, that it was all forced to give way. The Lord-Admiral perceiving this, and observing at the same Time the Distress which the _Triumph_ and the five Ships above mentioned in her Company, were in, he ordered some Ships that were then near at hand, to follow him, and to set upon the _Spaniards_ a-fresh; and he strictly charged them, to go within Musket-Shot of the Enemy, before they discharged any one Piece of Ordnance, that they might have a better Mark, and more effectually succour the _Triumph_. This was immediately performed by the _Ark_, the _Elizabeth-Jonas_, the Galleon of _Leicester_, the _Golden Lion_, the _Victory_, the _Mary Rose_, the _Dreadnought_, and the _Swallow_; for in that order they proceeded. The Duke of _Medina_ perceiving their Design, came out with sixteen of his best Galleons, to intercept the Lord Admiral, and stop him from assisting the _Triumph_. But, after a very sharp Conflict, the _Spaniards_ were forced to give way, and for their greater Safety to gather themselves close into a Roundel, their best and largest Ships standing outermost, and fencing the lesser and the most battered. In this Conflict, _William Coxe_, Captain of a small Pinnace of Sir _William Winter_’s, nam’d the _Delight_, was slain by a great Shot, while he was bravely fighting against the Enemy.

Towards the Evening, four or five of the _Spanish_ Vessels edged out of the South-Westward, where they were met by some of our Ships; amongst which, the _May-Flower of London_ valiantly discharged some Pieces of Cannon at them; and, on this and other Occasions, that Ship’s Company behaved with great Resolution and Courage.

Thus the Fight continued from Morning till Night, being managed with great Bravery; but the _Spaniards_ Shot flew, for the most part, over the Heads of the _English_, without doing Execution[67]; the reason of which was, that the _English_ Ships being far less than the Enemy’s, made the Attack with more Quickness and Agility; and when they had given a Broad-Side, sheer’d off to a convenient Distance; and levell’d their Shot so directly at the larger and more unwieldy Ships of the _Spaniards_, as seldom to miss their Aim. Some advis’d the Lord-Admiral, with more Heat than Discretion, to grapple with and board them; but he thought it neither safe nor convenient; because the Enemy’s Fleet had a considerable Army on board, whereas ours had no such Advantage; besides their Ships far exceeded the _English_ in Number and Bulk, and were much stronger and higher built; insomuch that their Men having the Opportunity to ply the others from such lofty Decks, must inevitably have destroyed those that were obliged, as it were, to fight beneath them. And he foresaw likewise, that the Damage and Disgrace of a total Defeat would much outweigh the Advantage of a Victory, should he happen to obtain it; since, if he was vanquished, it would have much endangered the Safety of the whole Kingdom; but if he got the better, he could obtain no more than the naked Credit of putting a Fleet in Disorder, and baffling an Enemy.——In this Day’s Engagement, a great _Venetian_ Ship, with several other smaller ones were taken by the _English_[68].

On the 24th of _July_, there was but little done[69]; the Fight being only between four great Galleasses and some _English_ Vessels[70]. The _Spaniards_, upon this Occasion had great Advantage, since their Ships had Oars, and ours, by reason of a Calm, had no use of their Sails. However, the _English_ galled the Enemy very much with their Cannon and Chain-Shot; but at last, wanting Powder and other Necessaries to continue the Fight, the Lord Admiral sent some Vessels into the next Port for a Supply. In the mean time, a Council of War was held, wherein it was agreed, That the Fleet should be divided into four Squadrons, to be commanded, the first by the Lord Admiral himself in the _Ark-Royal_; the second by Sir _Francis Drake_ in the _Revenge_; the third by Captain _Hawkins_; and the fourth by Captain _Forbisher_. [71]This Afternoon, his Lordship gave order, that in the Night, six Merchant-Ships out of every Squadron (as being the lightest) should set upon the _Spanish_ Fleet in several Places at once; but it being calm all that Night, nothing could be done.

The next Morning, _July 25_, both [Sidenote: PLATE 7.]Fleets being come over against the Isle of _Wight_, (which the _Spaniards_ had resolved to make themselves Masters of,) and not above a hundred Yards asunder, a terrible Fight began[72]. The _St. Ann_, a large _Portuguese_ Galleon, being short of the rest to the Southward, because not able to keep up with them, was attack’d by some of Captain _Hawkins_’s Squadron, which stood next to it; who causing themselves to be towed along, attempted to board her, and went so close, that their Boats were beaten off with Musket-Shot: _Leva_ and Don _Diego Telles Enriques_ perceiving the Galleon’s Danger, issued out of the _Spanish_ Fleet with three Galleasses, and endeavoured to rescue her; but they were so warmly received by the Lord Admiral himself, and the Lord _Thomas Howard_ in the _Golden Lion_, who, by reason of the Calm, had their Ships tow’d along with Boats, that the Galleon was got off with much Difficulty, and not without Loss; for one of the Galleasses was forc’d to be carried away upon the Careen; another, by a Shot from the _Ark_, lost her Lanthorn; and the third her Peak-head. Thus many Shots were interchanged between the _Ark_ and _Lion_ and the Galleasses, in Sight of both Fleets, which looked on, and could not come near by reason of the Calm. At length it began to blow a small Gale, whereupon the _Spanish_ Fleet edged up to succour their Galleasses, and so rescued them; but so roughly were the Galleasses handled, that after this none of them would venture upon any new Engagement.

[73]Then the Fleets drawing near one another the Fight was renewed; but it did not continue long; except that the _Nonpareil_ and the _Mary Rose_ were for some time engaged with the Enemy, and striking their Topsails, lay a while by, and braved the whole Fleet of _Spain_. In the mean while, the _Triumph_, to the Northward of the _Spanish_ Fleet, was so far to Leward, that being apprehensive some of the Enemy might weather her, she towed off with the Help of several Boats, and so recovered the Wind. The _Bear_ and the _Elizabeth Jonas_ perceiving her in Distress, bore down to rescue her, and by their Boldness put themselves into the like Danger; but they, however, made their party good, ’till they had recovered the Wind. And thus ended this Day’s Fight, which was very sharp for the time.

[74]The _Spaniards_ gave a different Account of this Day’s Engagement; for they said that the _English_ did miserably batter, with their great Guns, the _Spanish_ Admiral, who lay in the rear; came so near him as to kill many of his Men; brought his Mainmast by the board; and he was in great Danger of being lost, had not _Mexia_ and _Recalde_ come timely to his Assistance; but that, after this, the _Spanish_ Admiral and his Men, seconded by _Recalde_, and others, set upon the _English_ Admiral, who by the turning of the Wind happily escaped; that the _Spaniards_ from that time gave over the Chace, and keeping on their Course, dispatch’d a Messenger to the Duke of _Parma_, to desire him to come and join the Armada with his own Squadron as soon as possible; and to send them withal some great Shot for the use of the main Fleet.

[75]However it be, the _English_ had so battered the Enemy in the last Conflict, that the latter had Recourse to the Form of a Roundel for their better Security.

[76]On _Friday, July 26_, the Lord High-Admiral sent for the Lord _Thomas Howard_ the Lord _Sheffield_, _Roger Townshend_, Captain _Martin Forbisher_, Captain _John Hawkins_, on board his own Ship the _Ark_; and there confer’d on them the Honour of Knighthood, as well for a Reward of their good Services in the late Engagement, as for an Encouragement to the rest of the Officers.

[77]Next, a Council of War being held, it was determined, as our Ships began to want Powder and Shot, that they should not attack the _Spaniards_ again ’till they came to the Streights of _Calais_; because they would there be joined and reinforced by the Squadron under the Command of the Lord _Henry Seymour_ and Sir _William Winter_, stationed in those Parts to block up the Duke of _Parma_; and might, at the same time, receive a plentiful Store of Ammunition from our Coasts.

[78]So the _Spanish_ Fleet sailed forward, [Sidenote: PLATE 8.]this and the best part of the next Day, with a gentle Gale at South-West and by South, the _English_ following them close, and driving them like Sheep before them; and so far was this Invincible Armada from alarming the Sea-Coasts with any frightful Apprehensions, that a great many of the young Nobility and Gentry entered themselves Volunteers, and taking leave of their Parents, Wives, and Children, did, with incredible Chearfulness, hire Ships at their own Charge; and, in pure Love to their Country, joined the Grand Fleet in vast numbers: [79]Among which were, the Earls of _Oxford_, _Northumberland_, and _Cumberland_; the Lord _Dudley_; Sir _Thomas_, Sir _Robert_, and _William Cecil_; Sir _Henry Brooke_, Sir _William Hatton_, Sir _Charles Blount_, Sir _Walter Raleigh_, Sir _Robert Carey_, Sir _Ambrose Willoughby_, Sir _Thomas Vavasor_, Sir _Horatio Pallavicini_; _Thomas Gerard_, _Henry Nowel_, _Edward Darcy_, _Thomas Woodhouse_, _William Harvey_, _Arthur Gorges_, and others; [80]and at the same time, the Justices of Peace in the maritime Counties, as also the Earl of _Sussex_, Sir _George Carey_, and the Captains of the Forts and Castles along the Sea-Coasts, sent Ships, Men, Powder, Shot, Victuals, and all kinds of Provisions, for the Relief and Assistance of the main Fleet.

[81]_July 27._ This Day, towards the Evening, the _Spanish_ Fleet came to an Anchor before _Calais_; [82]intending for _Dunkirk_, where they were to join the Prince of _Parma_’s Forces; [83]but their Pilots having told them, that, if they ventured any farther, they should be in danger of being carried away by the Force of the Tide into the Northern Channel, for that Reason they proceeded no farther than _Calais_; the _English_, on their part, followed them close, and anchored within Culverin-Shot of them; and, by the accession of the Ships under the Lord _Henry Seymour_ and Sir _William Winter_, consisted now of a hundred and forty Sail, all stout Ships, and nimble and good Sailors; tho’ the main Brunt of the Engagement lay but upon fifteen or sixteen of them.