 In the battle of Solebay of the previous year, the French squadron had, on sight of the approaching Dutch fleet, sailed in a direction opposite to that of the English fleet.To counter English accusations that this had been done on purpose to let the English bear the brunt of the fighting, the French now formed the centre squadron.When a gap formed in the French line after a number of French ships had moved forward out of position, De Ruyter suddenly tacked with his own centre and sailed through it.