He got under way, standing off-shore to the southeast, and was joined from time to time, during the next ten days, by other English and Dutch ships.

The two fleets continued moving to the eastward, sighting each other from time to time.
The political situation in England was critical.

The Jacobites were growing more and more open in their demonstrations, Ireland had been in successful revolt for over a year, and William was now there, leaving only the queen in London.

The urgency of the case was such that the council decided the French fleet must be fought, and orders to that effect were sent to the English admiral, Herbert.

In obedience to his instructions he went out, and on the 10th of July, being to windward, with the wind at northeast, formed his line-of-battle, and then stood down to attack the French, who waited for him, with their foretopsails aback[69] on the starboard tack, heading to the northward and westward.
The fight that followed is known as the battle of Beachy Head.