 What is clear is that the sheer size of the allied fleet and the length of its battle line together with inadequacies in the fighting instructions and signaling that were remedied after the battle made the task of controlling it difficult.Spragge action in breaking formation for the second time to duel with Tromp, and losing his life as a result, as well as D'Estrées ignoring or misunderstanding Rupert's signals allowed an inferior but better managed fleet to succeed.Having incurred enormous damage, both fleets retreated.