After landing troops and munitions at Bahia, the Spaniards wasted several weeks before starting again to accomplish the main object of blockading the Dutch in the Reciff and compelling their surrender by famine.

But Pater had learnt by his scouts of the presence of Oquendo at Bahia, and though his force was far inferior he determined to meet the hostile armada at sea.

The Spanish fleet was sighted at early dawn on September 12, and Pater at once gave orders to attack.

His fleet consisted of sixteen ships and yachts, that of the enemy of twenty galleons and sixteen caravels.

The Dutch admiral had formed his fleet in two lines, himself in the _Prins Willem_ and Vice-Admiral Thijssen in the _Vereenigte Provintien_ being the leaders.