The Persian fleet, with a numerical advantage greater than 3 to 1, had blockaded the Greeks in the waters between Salamis and the mainland. The Persian King, Xerxes, sent his Egyptian squadron to block the westerly end while the main fleet entered the strait. The Greeks had faster more manoeuverable ships and the Persians could not bring their superior numbers to bear because of the confined waters. The Persians lost about 200 ships and their crews.Although still with considerable numerical advantage Xerxes abandoned his efforts to gain a naval victory.