 Seeing this, de Ruyter realised that he could win the battle and raised the red flag as the signal for an all-out attack, concentrating on the English rear.Albemarle's flagship, the "Royal Charles" had a damaged foremast and main topmast, and had suffered shot holes to windward, so Albemarle was unable to tack to assist the rear for fear of losing masts or flooding.He also believed that his captains, unnerved by the sudden change of fortune, would not tack at his signal unless the "Royal Charles" led them.