THE SPANISH ARMADA. 
505 
The Spanish armada was ready in the beginning of May, but its 
sailing was retarded by the deaths of the admiral and vice-admiral. 
The command of the expedition was then given to the duke of Medina 
Sidonia, a man entirely unexperienced in sea affairs. This promotion 
in some measure served to frustrate the design, which was also rendered 
less successful by other accidents. Next day after leaving the port 
of Lisbon, the armada met with a violent tempest, which sunk some 
of the smallest of their shipping, and obliged the fleet to put back 
into the harbour. After some time spent in refitting, they put again 
to sea. Being descried by Fleming, a Scotch pirate, he immediately 
informed the English admiral of their approach. Effingham had just 
time to get out of port, when he saw the Spanish armada coming 
full sail towards him, disposed in the form of a crescent, and stretch- 
ing to the distance of seven miles from the extremity of one division 
to that of the other. 
The English admiral considering that the Spaniards would be much 
superior to him in close tight, by the size of their ships and the num- 
ber of their troops, wisely resolved to content himself with harassing 
them in their voyage, and watching attentively all the advantages 
which might be derived from storms, cross winds, and such like for- 
tuitous accidents. He soon discerned a favourable opportunity for 
attacking the vice-admiral Ricaldo. This he did in person, and dis- 
played so much dexterity in working his ship, and in loading and 
firing his guns, as greatly alarmed the Spaniards for Ricaldo’s fate. 
From that time they kept much closer to one another, notwithstanding 
which the English on the same day attacked one of their largest 
galleasses. Other Spanish ships came up to her relief, but in their 
hurry, one of the principal galleons, which had a great part of their 
treasure on board, ran foul of another ship, and had one of her masts 
broken. In consequence of this misfortune she fell behind, and w'as 
taken by Sir Francis Drake ; who, on the same day, took another 
capital ship, which had been accidentally set on fire. Several other 
rencounters happened, in all of which the English proved victorious, 
through the great advantage which they derived from the lightness 
of their ships, and the dexterity of their sailors. The Spaniards did 
not sufficiently understand nautical mechanics, to avail themselves of 
the unusual magnitude of their ships. The English sailed round them, 
approached, and retired, with a velocity that amazed them, and did 
immense execution with their cannon, for while every shot of theirs 
proved effectual, their ships suffered very little damage from the 
enemy, whose guns being planted too high, generally spent their force 
in the air. 
The Spaniards, however, still continued to advance until they Came 
opposite to Calais, where the duke de Medina, having ordered them 
to cast anchor, sent information to the duke of Parma of his arrival, 
and entreated him to hasten the embarkation of his forces. Farnese 
accordingly began to put his troops on board ; but at the same time 
informed Medina, that the vessels which he had prepared were pro- 
per only for transporting the troops, but were utterly unfit for fight- 
ing ; and for this reason, till the armada was brought still nearer, 
and the coast cleared of the Dutch ships which had blocked up 
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