William's invasion fleet and the English failure to intercept

William waited for substantial English political support and for Louis XIV to commit to the Rhineland before launching the invasion. Around 250 merchantmen carried 11,000 infantry and 4,000 cavalry, with a powerful escort intended to avoid battle with the English fleet. Herbert, an English naval officer who had gone over to Holland early in 1688, commanded the escort with instructions to dissuade the English from attacking. Dartmouth expected a northern landing and chose a sheltered position from which the Dutch would have to approach him. James II's intelligence and French naval preparations proved inadequate. When the Dutch sailed west instead, easterly winds delayed the English fleet behind the Gunfleet Sands. William landed at Brixham in Torbay on 5 November while Dartmouth had reached only Beachy Head. Reports of the landing and exaggerated estimates of Dutch strength discouraged an attack, and further bad weather repeatedly interrupted the English response.