46

HISTORY OP ENGLAND.

CIIAP.

XVIII.

IuL'2.

The Eng-lish andDutchfleetsjoin.

Temperof theEnglishfleet.

laid aside. For the extensive plan •which had been formed inthe winter had, in the course of the spring, been disconcertedby a succession of accidents such as are beyond the control ofhuman wisdom. The time fixed for the assembling of all themaritime forces of France at Ushanthad long elapsed; and nota single sail had appeared at the place of rendezvous. TheAtlantic squadron was still detained by bad weather in the portof Brest. The Mediterranean squadron, opposed by a strongwest wind, was vainly struggling to pass the pillars of Hercules.Two fine vessels had gone to pieces on the rocks of Ceuta.*Meanwhile the admiralties of the allied powers had been active.Before the end of April the English fleet was ready to sail.Three noble ships, just launched from our dockyards, appearedfor the first time on the water.** William had been hasteningthe maritime preparations of the United Provinces; and hisexertions had been successful. On the twenty-ninth of April afine squadron from the Texel appeared in the Downs. Sooncame the North Holland squadron, the Maes squadron, theZealand squadron.*** The whole force of the confederate powerswas assembled at Saint Helen’s in the second week of May,more than ninety sail of the line, manned by between thirtyand forty thousand of the finest seamen of the two greatmaritime nations. Russell had the chief command. He wasassisted by Sir Ralph Delaval, Sir John Ashley, Sir CloudesleyShovel, Rear Admiral Carter, and Rear Admiral Rooke. Ofthe Dutch officers Van Almonde was highest in rank.

No mightier armament had ever appeared in the BritishChannel. There was little reason for apprehending that such aforce could be defeated in a fair conflict. Nevertheless therewas great uneasiness in London. It was known that there was

* London Gazette, May 12. 16. 1692; Gazette de Paris, May 1692.

** London Gaz., April 28. 1692.

«** London Gazette, May 2. 5. 12. 16.