While the _Spanish_ Fleet lay at the _Groyne_[51], an _English_ Fisherman that was taken and brought to that Place, gave the Enemies, either out of Ignorance or Design, this false Account: “That the _English_ Fleet had lately been at Sea; but seeing no Prospect of the _Spaniards_ pursuing their Design that Year, was returned, and the greater Part of the Men belonging to the Ships discharged.” This false Intelligence made the Duke of _Medina Sidonia_ deviate from his Instructions; and as he vainly supposed that he could easily surprise our Fleet, and burn or otherwise destroy it, he resolved not to lose so glorious an Opportunity. Instead therefore of going directly to join the Duke of _Parma_, a Resolution was taken in the _Spanish_ Fleet, to bend their Course towards _England_. [52]On the 16th of _July_ there was a Calm and a thick Fog ’till Noon. Then the North East Wind blew very strong, and presently after the West Wind ’till Midnight; and then the East-South-East Wind; insomuch that the _Spanish_ Fleet being thereby dispersed, was hardly joined again ’till it came within Sight of _England_. At length this Fleet, after an indifferent Passage over the Bay of _Biscay_, arrived _July_ 19, in Sight of _England_ and entered the Channel. The first Land they made was the _Lizard_, which they took to be the _Ram’s Head_ near _Plymouth_; but Night approaching, they stood off, designing the next Morning to attack the _English_ Ships in _Plymouth_ Harbour. The same Day[53], the Lord Admiral was informed by Captain _Thomas Flemming_, Commander of the _Golden Hind_ Pinnace, who had been left in the Channel for Discovery, that [Sidenote: PLATE 1.] the _Spanish_ Fleet was seen near the _Lizard_, the Wind being then Southerly, or South-West. Tho’ the Wind blew hard into _Plymouth-Sound_, and the Intelligence was not received ’till about four o’ Clock in the Afternoon, yet his Lordship, with much Diligence and Industry, got out the same Evening with six of his Ships, and anchored with them alone the whole Night, without the Harbour. [54]The next Day, _July_ 20, the Lord High-Admiral, accompanied with fifty four Ships of his Fleet, that had plied out of the _Sound_, notwithstanding the South-West Wind, advanced towards the Enemy. They were scarce got as far as the _Eddystone_, when they discovered, about Noon, the _Spanish_ Fleet to the [Sidenote: PLATE 2.]Westward, opposite to _Fowey_, in form of a half Moon (the Points whereof were about seven Miles asunder) coming slowly up the Channel, tho’ with full Sails. The _English_ suffered them to pass by unmolested, that they might chace them in the rear, with all the Advantage of the Wind.