 The attack on the Smyrna Fleet led to the States General increasing the naval budget by 2.2 million guilders on 28 March, expanding the active fleet from forty-eight to sixty vessels and ordering the construction of thirty-six new vessels.The Dutch fleet was considerably smaller than the combined Anglo-French fleet and De Ruyter initially withdrew into shoal waters near the Netherlands coast to await an opportunity to attack it successfully.Needing a success, De Witt ordered De Ruyter to attack the Allied fleet, accompanied by his brother Cornelis de Witt, to ensure the administration received credit for any victory.