 De Ruyter, three miles to windward, looked on anxiously.He had been waiting for several hours for Tromp and van Nes to join him, but they had been routed in a few minutes.He later confirmed that he had thought he had lost the battle, but after consulting Vice Admiral Adriaen Banckert, he waited until Rupert's squadron sailing east had passed his fleet sailing west then crossed Rupert's wake sailing northeast towards Albemarle's rear.