Parliament had decided to reduce the size of the fleet over the winter months. Admiral Blake with only forty ships came up against the Dutch fleet of ninety-six ships under the command of Admiral Tromp. The English fought from noon until night fell and lost heavily in ships sunk and taken. As dusk fell they made for the safety of their harbours.
It was after this battle that Tromp hoisted a broom to his masthead to indicate that he had swept the English from the sea.

Fifteen to twenty miles of the Kentish coast. (English Channel)