ren, the German squadron, full
steam up, advanced to meet the enemy.

Meanwhile the approaching English, having left their hospital and
munition ships and colliers in the open under the protection of the
cruisers and taken up their appointed positions, opened fire at a
distance of about 6,000 yards on Flushing and Fort Frederik Hendrik.

The English Admiral adhered so strictly to his instructions that,
with an incomprehensible carelessness, he neglected to search the East
Schelde with his second squadron, or even with his scouts. The entry of
the German ships which had been sent back from the open into the
West Schelde, evidently appeared to Sir Percy Domvile a sufficient
confirmation of the assumption that the whole German fleet was in this
arm of the river's mouth, for the clouds of smoke which they emitted
rendered an accurate computation of their strength impossible.

Thus, the Prince-Admiral's squadron was enabled to approach the enemy
so far unobserved that it would be able to take the British fleet in the
flank, when it had reached the west point of Walcheren.

At the signal: "Full steam ahead!" the German ships in the formation
agreed steamed against the surprised English, and opened fire from
their bow-guns. Naturally, the English Admiral at once ordered the first
squadron to take up its position behind the second, turned left with
both, and went to meet the enemy in double line.

This was the opportune moment, foreseen in the Prince's plan of battle,
for the advance of the cruisers lying in the West Schelde. In order
to deceive the enemy as to their number, they rapidly approached,
accompanied by the torpedo-boats which again sent up their clouds of
smoke. The English Admiral, completely surprised by the double attack,
was obliged to divide his attention.

Certainly this torpedo attack was still a hazardous undertaking, under
existing conditions. The English shot well, and two German boats were
sunk by the enemy's shells. Three others, however, hit their mark,
damaging three of the English ships so severely that they were incapable
of manoeuvring.

It was especially disadvantageous to the English that their
torpedo-boats, owing to the unforeseen change in the formation of the
battleships, were deprived of the necessary protection. The German
destroyers were not slow to make full use of this favourable situation,
and began to chase them. In this engagement, which the speed of the
little vessels rendered