Thus did the Fight continue for the best part of this whole Day; during which the _Spanish_ Fleet was closely pursued, extremely battered, and reduced to the utmost Distress[100]. The _English_ Commanders in general, shewed on all Occasions great Resolution and Bravery; and in this last Action, the Earl of _Cumberland_, the Lords _Henry Seymour_, _Thomas Howard_, and _Edmund Sheffield_; Sir _William Winter_, Sir _Robert Southwell_, Sir _George Beeston_, Sir _John Hawkins_; and the Captains _Edward Fenton_, _Richard Hawkins_, _George Ryman_, and [101]_Robert Cross_ signalized themselves in a remarkable manner; the latter, in particular, sunk the great Galleon of _Biscay_ above mentioned, and two other Vessels. As for the _Spaniards_, though some of them performed their Duty, and fought with great Bravery, yet, in general, they acted but faintly, and stood for the most part only upon the defensive, especially after they saw themselves disappointed of the Duke of _Parma_’s Assistance. “The Duke of _Medina_, we are told[102], to his Dishonour, was lodged in the Bottom of his Ship for his Safety, and the rest of the Commanders would never turn their Ships, nor stop them, to defend any of their own Friends that were forced to tarry behind, but suffered divers to perish; and so fearful was the Admiral, that if the _English_ had offered to board the _Spanish_ Ships, it was thought they would have yielded without making any Resistance.” [103]In this last Engagement the _Spaniards_ lost five thousand Men, a thousand whereof were drowned[104]; and the next Day two _Venetian_ Ships sunk, having eight hundred and forty three Men on board, which all perished. [105]After this Fight there remained of the whole _Spanish_; Fleet but one hundred and ten, or one hundred and twelve Ships, and those extremely battered and shot through, and having their Rigging much damaged with the Shot. [106]The next Day, _July 30_, the Lord Admiral ordered the Lord _Henry Seymour_, and Sir _William Winter_ to return back with their Squadron into the narrow Seas, to guard the Coasts; as for himself, he resolved to follow the _Spanish_ Fleet, ’till they came as far Northward as the _Forth_ in _Scotland_, if they bent their Course that way; and, in the mean time, he thought it best not to attack them any more, ’till he saw what they proposed to do: However, being persuaded that they intended to put into the Firth of _Forth_, his Lordship had devised Stratagems, and taken Measures to make an utter End of them there.