He forthwith sent orders to the small ships that were near the land to put into the neighbouring ports of Faro, St.Lucar, and Cadiz, while he himself stood off with an easy sail for the protection of the rest.

About six in the evening, ten sail of the enemy came up with two Dutch ships of war commanded by the captains Schrijver and Vander-Poel, who seeing no possibility of escaping, tacked in shore, and, thus drawing the French after them, helped to save the rest of the fleet.

When attacked they made a most desperate defence, but at last were overpowered by numbers and taken.

An English ship of war and a rich pinnace were burned; nine-and-twenty merchant vessels were taken, and about fifty destroyed by the counts de Tourville and D'Etrees.

Seven of the largest Smyrna ships fell into the hands of M.
de Cotlegon, and four he sunk in the bay of Gibraltar.