New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-03-09

| merrily on board, in order to share IN the oe-
lights Of the long-e1pected struggle. The lively,
but irregular, and desutOry action continued
nearly all day, and until the English bad hred
away most of their powder and shot. The Span
isrds TOO were already short of light metal 80
much lead and gunpOwder had never before been
wasted in single day; for there was no great
damage inflicted on either side.
| After various skrmishes, on Thursday, August
4, the English admiral bore boldly down into the
very midst of the Spanish fleet, and laid himself
within three or four hundred yards Of Medlnas
| flag ship, while his comrades were at equally
close quarters with other vessels. 1t was the
hottest conflict which had yet taken place. The
two great fleets, which were there to subjugate
and to defend the realm Of Elizabeth, were nearly
yard-am and yard-srm together-oll England on
the lee. Broadside after broadside of great guns
yolley after volley Of arquebusry from main
top and rigging, were warmly exchanged. Much
damage was inflicted on the Spaniards, whose
gigantic ships were no easy mark to aim at,
while from their turreted nights they themselves
fred for the most part harmlessly over the heads
length gave the signal for retreat, having no In
tentOn of risking the existence OF his fleet, and
perhsps Of the English crown. on single battle.
The Armada proceeded to its appointed rem
devious with Parma in Calais roads-sailing
slowly all the neIt day in company with the
English, without a shot being fred on either side
and at last dropped anchor on Saturday after
noon, August 6.
Never since the Establishment Of the English
monarchy, had such sigLt been seen, as was
now revealed in these narrow straits between
Dover and Calais. Along that low, sandy shore,
and quite within the range Of the Calais fortifi-
cations, 100 Spanish sbps-most Of them the
largest and most heavily armed in the world
lay face to face, and scarcely out Of cannon shot,
with $50 English soops and frigates, and COM
handed BY men whose exploits had rung through
the world. Further along the coast though out
Of eight was n squadron of Dutch vessels Of all
Gzes, lining both the inner and outer edges OF
the sandbsnks off the Flemish cOasts and SWARM
ine in all the estuares and inlets Of that intri-
cate and dangerous cruising ground. Those fleets
Of Holland and iceland, numbering some $50 gal
hons, sloops, and Ay-boats, lay patiently block
aiding all possible egress from the neishboring
ports, and longing to grapple with the Duke Of
Parmn, whenever his feet should venture TO set
forth upon the sea for their long prepared e1-
plot.
The next day, Sunday, August Z the two great
heet. were still lying but mile and haa apart,
calmly gazing at each other, and rising and fall
ing at their anchors as idly as if some vast Sum-
mer regatta were the only purpose of that great
arsembage of shipping. Nothing as yet was heard
Of Parma. Thus far, OF least, the Hohandcr
had held him at bay.
"A the evening approached, and the twilight
deepenod, the moon became totally obscured,
darn msses of cloud spread over the heavens
the ses grew black, blatant thunder rolled and
the sob Of 8 coming tempest became distinctly
audible Within IN hour after midnight, it was
20 DARK that il was difficult for the most prsc-
ticed eye 70 pierce far into the gloom. But
faint drop Of oars now struck the ears Of the
Spanisrds ss they watched from the decks. In
few moments the sea became suddenly lumn-
Gus, and six flaming vessels appeared ct slight
distance, bearing steadily down upon them before
msda who remembered the Internal fre-skps Of
Gianibeui az the siege Of Antwerp, only three
yenrs before. That famous engineer wss now in
England. His floating volcanoes, which had
seemed TO rond earth and ocean, and whose eI-
plosion bad lad 20 many Thousands of soldiers
dead az q blow, were called 20 mind with terror.
In Il moment, the spaniards were seized with
81. Ill sc auoh
out the ieet. :" The fire ships Of Antwerp, the
fre-ships Of Antwerp" was the cry, and in an
instant every cable was cut, and frantic attempts
were made by each eslIson and galliass 10 escape
what seemed imminent destruction. The confu-
sion was beyond description. -Four or five Of the
largest ships became entangled wish each other.
Two others were set on FIRE BY the flaming ves-
sells, and were consumed. The alarm was occa-
stoned by device Of the English admirals, who
believed that by sending few hastily arranged
6re-ships anoug the feet, panic would be pro-
duced and the Armada DO thrown into cOnfu-
sion, and compelled TO slip its cables.
So long q, night and darkness continued, the
turmoil and uproar were terrific. When the
morning dswned, Monday, August 9, several of
the Spanish vessels lay disabled, while the rest
OF the feet was seen ut distance of two leagues
from Calais, driving toward the Flemish coast.
The English feet we're all astir, and ready TO
pursue the spaniards, now rapidly drifting into
the North Sea. Tie fleets came together about
nine O'Clock 4. n. off Grayelines and general
combat commenced within On hour. The English
had both the weatheI-gnge and the tide in their