Note 6 — The destruction, capture, &c. of Portuguese Carracks, by English seamen. 1592-1594 A.D.
Reading edition
The next was Her Majesty's good Ship, the Foresight; whose Commander for that Service was Captain [Sir Robert] Crosse (a man well approved in marine causes, and far hath adventured): who with his ship laid her aboard, and very valiantly assailed them; and was most stoutly by the Spaniards also repulsed.
Insomuch that the brave Captain, of whose men, many were weak; and yet being loath Her Majesty's Ship should be shaken off without victory, fired the Carrack: rather wishing her to be burnt, than the enemies to enjoy her. But the proud and lofty-minded Spaniards, standing on their resolute points, returned the fire again, or some other: which three times was kindled [on board the Foresight]; to the great cumber of Captain Crosse and his Company, that would not so leave them.
This dangerous conflict between these ships endured [a] long time. Which the Phœnix of Portsmouth perceiving...being of 60 tons or thereabouts...left her for a time; standing with their Admiral and Vice-Admiral, which were the Tiger and the Sampson: and coming up with them, declared unto them the hardy fight of the Foresight; who presently bare up with them all the night. The Sampson, being the first, coming up with the Carrack, gave her the whole broadside: and shutting up into the Foresight's quarter, entered his men into her.
Captain Norton, that brave and worthy Gentleman, laid her also aboard, having the Tiger with him.
And so [all three crews] entered together, being 100 men at the least, all resolutely minded. At whose entrance they yielded so great a cry as the dismayed Portugals and Spaniards could not bethink themselves what course to take to help themselves: in such a maze were they stricken, although they were [originally] 800 strong, all well-appointed and able men; and of ours but 100. But standing thus, as men amazed, at length [they] yielded themselves vanquished.
The Seaman's Triumph. [30th September] 1592.