The _Spanish_ Fleet, as has been said above, had been dispersed, and somewhat disabled by a violent Storm. This had like to have proved more fatal to the _English_ than to the _Spaniards_ themselves[49]. For it being reported all over _Europe_, that the whole _Spanish_ Fleet was destroyed, Queen _Elizabeth_ and her Ministers thought that it was at least so damaged, as that it could not proceed ’till the next Year. Relying therefore upon this Intelligence, which they took for certain, Secretary _Walsingham_ signified the Queen’s Pleasure to the Lord High-Admiral, to send back four of his largest Ships into Port. His Lordship had, in the mean time, likewise Intelligences sundry ways, that the Enemy’s Fleet was dispersed into several Ports of _Spain_, distressed, spoiled, in want of Provisions, and with a great Mortality among the Men. This, however, happened to be only a false Rumour. The Lord-Admiral not thinking it safe to depend upon such Uncertainties, when the Nation’s All was at Stake, got the Order countermanded; alledging how dangerous it was to be too credulous in a matter of such Importance, and that he would rather keep the Ships out at his own Charge, than hazard his Country’s Safety. But, in order to be fully satisfied, (as he was sure that the Coasts of _England_ and _France_, which he had examined, were clear) he thought proper[50], with the Advice of a Council of War, to take the Opportunity of the first Northerly Wind, and go in quest of the _Spanish_ Fleet, in the _Groyne_, and other Ports of _Gallicia_; and there utterly destroy it, if it were already so disabled as was reported; or, if otherwise, to get certain Intelligence concerning its true State and Condition. Accordingly his Lordship made Sail for the Coast of _Spain_, with a Northerly Wind, and held the same Course for about three Days, from the 8th to the 10th of _July_. He was not then above forty Leagues from that Kingdom, when being informed that the Enemy’s Fleet was not so much damaged as reported, and the Wind coming to be Southerly, he judged it best (as his Instructions were to guard the _English_ Coasts,) to return to _Plymouth_; lest the same Wind should bring the Enemies out, and carry them by him, unseen, towards _England_. He arrived at _Plymouth_ the 12th of _July_, and with great Expedition supplied his Fleet with whatever Necessaries were wanting. His Caution was indeed very seasonable: For with the same Southerly Wind the Duke of _Medina Sidonia_ sailed, with the whole Fleet under his Command, from the _Groyne_, on the 12th of _July_, (the very same Day the Lord Admiral arrived at _Plymouth_,) and in two or three Days detached a Yatch to the Duke of _Parma_, with Notice of his being advanced so far. He pressed him at the same Time, to be ready with the Troops and Ships he was directed to provide, in order to pass over into _England_ under his Convoy, as soon as he should be arrived in the Streights of _Dover_.