the main body and fighting stubbornly.  Several ships, however, including the flag-ship of Vice-Admiral Ayscue, had to be abandoned and were either destroyed or captured by the Dutch.  At the end of the day Monk had only twenty-eight ships left fit for service.  Very opportunely he was now rejoined by Rupert’s squadron and other reinforcements; and on the fourth morning the two fleets confronted one another in almost equal numbers, each having some sixty vessels.  Once more therefore the desperate struggle was resumed and with initial advantage to the English.  Rupert forced his way through the Dutch fleet, which was for awhile divided.  But the English habit of firing at the hulls, though it did most damage, was not so effective as the Dutch system of aiming at the masts and rigging in crippling the freedom of tacking and manoeuvring; and Monk and Rupert were unable to prevent De Ruyter from re-uniting his whole force, and bearing down with it upon the enemy.  The English were forced to retreat again, leaving several of their “lamed” vessels behind.  They lost in all ten ships besides fireships, something like 3000 killed and wounded and 2500 prisoners.  Vice-Admiral Berkeley was killed, Vice-Admiral Ayscue taken prisoner.  Nor were the Dutch much better off.  Four or five of their ships were sunk, a number severely damaged, and their casualty list was probably as large as that of their foes.  Nevertheless the victory was undoubtedly theirs; and the fleet on its return was greeted with public rejoicings in Holland and Zeeland.  The triumph was of short duration.

By vigorous efforts on both sides the damaged fleets were rapidly repaired.  De Ruyter was the first to put to sea (July 9) with some ninety ships; three weeks later Monk and Rupert left the Thames with an equal force.  The encounter took place on August 4.  It ended in a decisive English victory after some fierce and obstinate fighting.  The Dutch van, after losing its two admirals, Evertsen and De Vries, gave way.  Monk and Rupert then attacked with a superior force the centre under De Ruyter himself, who to save his fleet from destruction was compelled to take refuge behind the Dutch shoals.  Meanwhile the squadron under Tromp, driving before it the rear squadron of the English, had become separated and unable to come to De Ruyter’s assistance.  For this abandonment he was bitterly reproached by De Ruyter and accused of desertion.  The quarrel necessitated Tromp’s being deprived of his command, as the States-General could not afford to lose the services of the admiral-in-chief.

For a time the English were now masters of the narrow seas, and, cruising along the Dutch coast, destroyed a great number of Dutch merchantmen, made some rich prizes and even landed on the island of Terschelling, which was pillaged.  Lack of supplies at length compelled them to withdraw for the purpose of revictualling.  On this De Ruyter, accompanied by Cornelis de Witt as special commissioner, sailed out in the hopes of effecting a junction with De Beaufort.  Rupert also put to sea again, but storms prevented a meeting between the fleets and sickness also seriously interfered with their efficiency.  De Ruyter himself fell ill; and, though John de Witt was himself with the fleet, no further operations were attempted.  Both sides had become weary and exhausted and anxious for peace.