Sir Edward Sprague and the earl of Ossory commanded under the prince.

A French squadron joined them, commanded by d'Etrees.

The combined fleets set sail towards the coast of Holland, and found the enemy lying at anchor within the sands at Schonvelt.

There is a natural confusion attending sea fights, even beyond other military transactions; derived from the precarious operations of winds and tides, as well as from the smoke and darkness in which every thing is there involved.

No wonder, therefore, that accounts of those battles are apt to contain uncertainties and contradictions; especially when delivered by writers of the hostile nations, who take pleasure in exalting the advantages of their own countrymen, and depressing those of the enemy.