about noon
But you may guess the pounding was not all on our side , and we suffered very heavily . `` Four men were hurt at the gun I worked , and nigh half the crew were killed or wounded . Two of our masts were shot away , many of our guns disabled , and towards the end of the fight we were towed out of the line . How the day would have gone if Van Tromp had continued in command of the Dutch , I can not say , but about noon he was shot through the body by a musket-ball , and this misfortune greatly discouraged the Dutchmen , who fight well as long as things seem to be going their way , but lose heart very easily when they think the matter is going against them . `` By about two o'clock the officers shouted to us that the Dutch were beginning to draw off , and it was not long before they began to fly , each for himself , and in no sort of order . Some of our light frigates , that had suffered less than the line-of-battle ships , followed them until the one Dutch Admiral whose flag was left flying , turned and fought them till two or three of our heavier ships came up and he was sunk . `` We could see but little of the chase , having plenty of work , for , had a gale come on , our ship , and a good many others , would assuredly have been driven ashore , in the plight we were in .