The English strove to grapple with and board the enemy, while the Spaniards poured upon them a shower of bolts and quarrels from their cross-bows, hurled immense masses of stone from their military engines, and, as they drew alongside, cast into them heavy bars of iron, which pierced holes in the bottom of the ship.
Walter was on board the ship commanded by the Black Prince.

This had been steered towards one of the largest and most important of the Spanish vessels.

As they approached, the engines poured their missiles into them.

Several great holes were torn in the sides of the ship, which was already sinking as she came alongside her foe.
"We must do our best, Sir Walter," the prince exclaimed, "for if we do not capture her speedily our ship will assuredly sink beneath our feet." The Spaniard stood far higher above the water than the English ship, and the Black Prince and his knights in vain attempted to climb her sides, while the seamen strove with pumps and buckets to keep the vessel afloat.

Every effort was in vain.