five o'clock
The previous day 's fighting had used up the ammunition obtained at Dover . Starvation would drive every English ship from the sea in another week at the latest . The Channel would then be open for the passage of Parma 's army . At five o'clock on Sunday evening a council of war was held in Lord Howard 's cabin , and it was determined , that as it was impossible to attack the Spanish Fleet where they lay at the edge of shallow water , an attempt must be made to drive them out into the Channel with fireships . Eight of the private vessels were accordingly taken , and such combustibles as could be found -- pitch , tar , old sails , empty casks , and other materials -- were piled into them . At midnight the tide set directly from the English fleet towards the Spaniards , and the fireships , manned by their respective crews , hoisted sail and drove down towards them . When near the Armada the crews set fire to the combustibles , and taking to their boats rowed back to the fleet .