Sir _Cloudsly Shovel_ was just arriv'd from the _Mediterranean_ with the Royal Navy: Part of them lay at _St. Hellens_, part in the _Downs_, and with 12 of the biggest Ships he was coming round the _Foreland_ to bring them into _Chatham_; and when the Great Storm began was at an Anchor at the _Gunfleet_, from whence the _Association_ was driven off from Sea as far as the Coast of _Norway_: What became of the rest, I refer to a Chapter by it self. At _Gravesend_ there rode five _East India_ Men, and about 30 Sail of other Merchant-men, all outward bound. In the _Downs_ 160 Sail of Merchant Ships outward bound, besides that part of the Fleet which came in with Sir _Cloudsly Shovel_, which consisted of about 18 Men of War, with Tenders and Victuallers. At _Portsmouth_ and _Cowes_ there lay three Fleets; first, a Fleet of Transports and Tenders, who with Admiral _Dilks_ brought the Forces from _Ireland_ that were to accompany the King of _Spain_ to _Lisbon_; secondly, a great Fleet of Victuallers, Tenders, Store-ships, and Transports, which lay ready for the same Voyage, together with about 40 Merchant-ships, who lay for the benefit of their Convoy; and the third Article was, the Remainder of the Grand Fleet which came in with Sir _Cloudsly Shovel_; in all almost 300 Sail, great and small. In _Plymouth_ Sound, _Falmouth_ and _Milford_ Havens, were particularly several small Fleets of Merchant-ships, driven in for Shelter and Harbour from the Storm, most homeward bound from the Islands and Colonies of _America_. The _Virginia_ Fleet, _Barbadoes_ Fleet, and some _East India_ Men, lay scatter'd in all our Ports, and in _Kinsale_ in _Ireland_ there lay near 80 Sail, homeward bound and richly laden. At _Bristol_ about 20 Sail of home-bound _West India_ Men, not yet unladen. In _Holland_, the Fleet of Transports for _Lisbon_ waited for the King of _Spain_, and several _English_ Men of War lay at _Helvoet Sluice_; the _Dutch_ Fleet from the _Texel_ lay off of _Cadsandt_, with their Forces on Board, under the Admiral _Callenberge_. Both these Fleets made 180 Sail. I think I may very safely affirm, That hardly in the Memory of the oldest Man living, was a juncture of Time when an Accident of this nature could have happen'd, that so much Shipping, laden out and home, ever was in Port at one time. No Man will wonder that the Damages to this Nation were so great, if they consider these unhappy Circumstances: it shou'd rather be wonder'd at, that we have no more Disasters to account to Posterity, but that the Navigation of this Country came off so well.