The Dutch flattered themselves that Beaufort was arrived to cut off the retreat of the vanquished: the English hoped, that Prince Rupert had come, to turn the scale of action.

Albemarle, who had received intelligence of the prince's approach, bent his course towards him.

Unhappily, Sir George Ayscue, in a ship of a hundred guns, the largest in the fleet, struck on the Galloper sands, and could receive no assistance from his friends, who were hastening to join the reenforcement.

He could not even reap the consolation of perishing with honor, and revenging his death on his enemies.

They were preparing fireships to attack him, and he was obliged to strike.