VVednesday 25. By two in the morning we weighed Anchor , and by Day-light we had the Enemy under our Lee : Sir Thomas Allen led the Van to the Eastward , with our Larboard Tacks aboard , the VVind North-East ; and as soon as he came to the head of the Enemies Fleet , which was at ten of the Clock , we gave the Signal to bear in in a Line , our selves with the Red Squadron in the middle , and Sir Jeremy Smith with the Blew , bringing up the Rear . VVe plyed them so close , that they could not Tack upon us ; and so we continued fighting till about four in the Afternoon , and then De Ruyter with the main Body of his Fleet gave ground , whom we pursued with the Red and VVhite Squadrons , leaving Sir Jeremy Smith with the Blew Squadron , engaged with Van Tromp and a Squadron of their Fleet. All Night we followed the Enemy , and again next Morning as soon as it was light we began the Chace , and were in great hopes of taking De Ruyter ; but the VVind being little , he spoomed away before it , so that our smaller Fregats could hardly get up with him . And by Ten a Clock Thursday Morning , we had pursued them as far as the Durlow , which was about Eighteen Leagues , and there he lay till About two in the Afternoon ; which time we were so near the Banks of Sand , that we could not make the Chace any farther , and De Ruyter , and those with him , had opportunity to run into that place .

In this Chase we possessed us of Two of the Enemies Great Ships , the one a Vice-Admiral of 60 Guns , 24 of them Brass , and 290 Men , commanded by Adrian Bankaert ; The other the Snake of Haerlem , of 66 Guns , 320 Men , Commanded by Ruart Hellibrant ; both which we set on fire , not being willing to spare any Men to bring them off , after we had taken all their Men out of them . As soon as we gave off pursuit of the Enemy , we called a Council of Flag-Officers , and whilst they were with us , we discovered some Sails N. W. of us , and heard a shooting , which we judged to be Sir Jeremiah Smith fighting Van Trump and his Squadron : Whereupon we determined to draw off the Fleet , and so endeavour to intercept them before they got into their Harbours .

Upon the Appearance of these Fleets , we found the Wind at N. E. they standing right in , and we right out , as close as we could lye , and stood up till we could see their Squadron , and Sir Jeremiah Smith chasing of them : After we came fair up with them , we Tacked , and stood in the same way that they did ; and about Twelve a Clock at night , came to an Anchor , taking part of the Leeward Tide , to draw them upon us ; which fell out within a League , as we expected it : But by the morning we perceived Sir Jeremiah Smith had lost Van Trump in the Night , and was now out of sight ; so as the VVind having varied to the Enemies Advantage , they stood into the Land of the Island of Schawen , towards the Baniarts , and we stood in after them with the Royal Charles , to six Fathom VVater , where now we are expecting what the Enemy will do .

This is word for word his Highness Prince Rupert , and his Grace the Duke of Albemarle's Narrative of this last Engagement , their Modesty in relating , equalling their Valour and Conduct in maintaining the Fight ; the summe of which success is , That on the 25th . the fight began with equal numbers , 90 Men of War , and 17 Fireships on each side ; after five hours close fighting , the greatest body of the Enemy bore away towards their own Coast , and on the 26th . that body was totally broken , and beaten into their Harbours , whither the 27th . the rest followed , broken and beaten in the same manner ; our Fleet being Masters , and keeping the Sea , and at this present lying upon their Coast , with the loss of one Ship onely burnt , out of which the Captain and the men were saved : and this after the Enemy had bragged through the World that they had blocked up our Fleet in the River of Thames , and had brought a Land Army with Tooles , and all other Materials to conquer England , or at least to set it on fire in all parts : What effectually the Enemies loss was , more then is told herein , as well by Ships burnt as sunk , of which there can be no Prisoners to tell Particulars , we shall know in time , though their Art in dissembling them is alwayes admirable ; and the dis-ingenuity of their former Relations hath been such , that we cannot but look that they should ring their Bells , make Bonefires , and send Narratives to all the Courts in Christendom of their great success now . God grant them more of this kind , and let us thankfully prostrate our selves before Him for the great Valour and Conduct of our Generals , and the Vniversal bravery and vigour with which all the Commanders , Seamen and Souldiers fought in this happy occasion , for the service of their King , and the Honour of His Kingdoms .