"In case of the slightest gale in the world," said Medina, "I don't know how or where to shelter such large ships as ours." Disposed in this manner; the Spaniards sailed leisurely along the English coast with light westerly breezes, watched closely by the Queen's fleet, which hovered at a moderate distance to windward, without offering, that day, any obstruction to their course.
By five o'clock on Tuesday morning, 2nd of August, the Armada lay between Portland Bill and St.Albans' Head, when the wind shifted to the north-east, and gave the Spaniards the weather-gage.

The English did their beat to get to windward, but the Duke, standing close into the land with the whole Armada, maintained his advantage.

The English then went about, making a tack seaward, and were soon afterwards assaulted by the Spaniards.

A long and spirited action ensued.

Howard in his little Ark-Royal--"the odd ship of the world for all conditions"-- was engaged at different times with Bertendona, of the Italian squadron, with Alonzo de Leyva in the Batta, and with other large vessels.