The light vessels sent out by the English Admiral for the purpose of obtaining intelligence brought back news which confirmed the prevailing opinion that the enemy would try to land in Yorkshire.

All at once, on a signal from the Prince's ship, the whole fleet tacked, and made sail for the British Channel.
The same breeze which favoured the voyage of the invaders prevented Dartmouth from coming out of the Thames.

His ships were forced to strike yards and topmasts; and two of his frigates, which had gained the open sea, were shattered by the violence of the weather and driven back into the river.

[502] The Dutch fleet ran fast before the gale, and reached the Straits at about ten in the morning of Saturday the third of November.

William himself, in the Brill, led the way.