Men sickened one day, and died the next, so that it seemed probable that the ten thousand sailors by whom the English ships of war were manned, would have almost wholly disappeared, at a moment when their services might be imperatively required.

Nor had there been the least precaution taken for cherishing and saving these brave defenders of their country.

They rotted in their ships, or died in the streets of the naval ports, because there were no hospitals to receive them.
"'Tis a most pitiful sight," said the Lord-Admiral, "to see here at Margate how the men, having no place where they can be received, die in, the streets.

I am driven of force myself to come on land to see them bestowed in some lodgings; and the best I can get is barns and such outhouses, and the relief is small that I can provide for them here.

It would grieve any man's heart to see men that have served so valiantly die so miserably." The survivors, too, were greatly discontented; for, after having been eight months at sea, and enduring great privations, they could not get their wages.