The instructions issued by Howard of Effingham and Essex[1] to the captains of the fleet will be found at length in the previous chapter. Before sailing, the joint generals also published in Spanish, French, Italian, and Dutch a manifesto "to all Christian people," setting forth the causes and objects of the expedition, proclaiming friendship to neutrals, and hostility to Spain and her allies, and requiring all who might have aided Philip in the past to withdraw from him upon pain of being made to suffer for their continued adherence to Elizabeth's enemies.
The fleet sailed from Plymouth on June 1st, 1596. With a north-easterly breeze, it quickly made Cape Ortegal; and there, being off the enemy's coast, was organised for instant action. We do not know what was its formation; but Monson says that the True Love, the Lion's Whelp, and the Witness,[2] the three best sailers in the command, were dispatched ahead to look out for Spanish scouts or advice-boats, and to prevent any such from returning with news of the approaching danger. By way of additional precaution, a course was taken well out of sight of land. Every captain had been already provided with sealed instructions, to be opened only in case of separation from the fleet, or after rounding Cape St. Vincent, directing him to make rendezvous off Cadiz; and he had been ordered, in the event of his capture by the enemy appearing imminent, to sink these instructions.
On June 10th, the three advanced ships, two of which were commanded by Richard Leveson[3] and Charles, Lord Mountjoy,[4] respectively, fell in with and took three Hamburg fly-boats, fourteen
- ↑ It is noteworthy that in all the documents relating to this expedition, Essex is given precedence over Howard, although the latter was Lord High Admiral, and the former was new to naval command. The navy was not yet recognised as the senior service.
- ↑ It is probable that these were the three vessels belonging to the Lord High Admiral. A Lion's Whelp was bought from him for the navy in 1601, Pipe Off. Accts. 2239.
- ↑ Richard Leveson, of Lilleshall, born 1570, served as volunteer in the Ark against the Armada, and was knighted for his service in the Cadiz expedition. He died in 1605, Admiral of the Narrow Seas and Vice-Admiral of England. He had married in 1587 Margaret, a daughter of Lord Howard of Effingham. He lies buried at Wolverhampton.
- ↑ Second son of the sixth Lord Mountjoy, born 1563. He had been knighted in 1587, and had succeeded his elder brother in 1594. In 1603 he was made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and created Earl of Devonshire. He died in 1606. But in some accounts it is said that not Lord Mountjoy, but Sir Christopher Blount was with the advanced squadron.
