A.I5. THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



1596. 



We no sooner presented our selves, but presently a 

 goodly sort of tall Spanish ships came out of the mouth 

 of the Bay of Cadiz, the Gallies accompanying them in 

 such good order, and so placed as all of them might well 

 succour each other, and therewithall kept themselves 

 very close to their towne, the castle, and the forts, for 

 their better guard and defence, abiding there still, and 

 expecting our farther determination. All that day passed, 

 being very rough and boysterous, and litle or nothing 

 could be done, more then that about the evening there 

 [I. 611.] passed some friendly and kinde salutations sent one from 

 the other in warlike maner, by discharging certain great 

 peeces, but to my knowledge no hurt done at all, or else 

 very litle. 



A carefull and diligent watch was had all that night 

 thorough out the whole armie, and on monday morning 

 being the 21. day, the winde and weather being become 

 moderate and favourable, betweene five and sixe of the 

 clocke in the morning, our ships in the name of almightie 

 God, and in defence of the honour of England, without 

 any farther delay, with all speed, courage, and alacritie, 

 did set upon the Spanish ships, being then under sayle, 

 and making out of the mouth of the Bay of Cadiz, up 

 toward Puente de Sua^o on Granada side, being in 

 number lix. tall ships, with xix. or xx. Gallies attending 

 upon them, sorted in such good order, and reasonable 

 distance as they might still annoy us, and alwayes relieve 

 themselves interchangeably : having likewise the Castle, 

 Forts, and Towne, continually to assist them and theirs, 

 and alwayes readie to play upon us and ours. 



In most mens opinions it seemed that the enemy had 

 a wonderful advantage of us, all circumstances being well 

 weighed, but especially the straightnesse of the place, and 

 the naturall forme and situation of the Bay it selfe, being 

 rightly considered. For albeit the very Bay it selfe is 

 very large and exceeding beautifull, so that from Cadiz 

 to Port S. Mary, is some vi. or vii. English miles over or 

 there abouts, yet be there many rockes, shelves, sands 



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