an admirable spirit in his division. On July 13th, Howard wrote to Walsyngham[1] that he had four pinnaces looking out on the Spanish coast, and then, echoing Seymour, continued: "I know not what weather you have had there, but there was never any such summer seen here on the sea. God of His mercy keep us from sickness, for we fear that more than any hurt the Spaniards will do."
In the meantime, Howard, having found no Spaniards in the Channel, had cruised farther to the southward from July 8th to July 10th, and then, fearing lest the enemy might pass him unsighted, had put about, and returned to Plymouth on July 12th, to re-water and refresh his ships.[2] He seems to have been a little puzzled, for he wrote thence to Walsyngham,[3] on July 17th: "I make all the haste I can possible out. ... Seeing the advertisements[4] be no surer, I mean to keep the three great ships with me yet awhile, to see what will come of it. Some four or five ships have discharged their men; for the sickness in some is very great, so that we are fain to discharge some ships to have their men to furnish the others." But, though perplexed and worried, he was in good spirits, and full of confidence. And, indeed, all in the fleet were in like mood. Thomas Fenner, for example, wrote to Walsyngham[5] on July 17th: "There never happened the like opportunity to beat down the Spanish pride, if it be effectually followed."
The movements and fortunes of the Spaniards must now, for a time, be followed.
The weather at Corunna had for some days been stormy, when, on the evening of July 11th, it began to improve.[6] Medina Sidonia thereupon ordered his captains to lie at single anchor only; and at midnight, the firing of a gun from the flagship served as a signal to the fleet to weigh. At daylight, a second gunshot from the San Martin directed the ships to make all sail. The light southwest breeze was not sufficient to fill the canvas, and between daybreak and 2 P.M. on July 12th, the Armada did not make three miles' progress, and, at the latter hour, had not rounded Cape Priorino. It then fell quite calm; but after a short time the wind got up again a little, and the coast was slowly left behind.
