In all the dockyards work went on with relays of men night and day.

In less than a month Tromp found himself at the head of 105 sail with twelve fire-ships.

They were smaller ships than those of his adversary, but they were more than enough to ensure victory.

On October 21, after detaching Vice-Admiral Witte de with 30 ships to watch Pennington's squadron, Tromp bore down straight upon the Spanish fleet though they were lying in English waters.

Rarely has there been a naval triumph more complete.
Under cover of a fog Oquendo himself with seven vessels escaped to Dunkirk; all the rest were sunk, burnt, or captured.