Page 679 Tire of Oars, to keep in the Fleet that was in the Harbour. And commanded the Horse to keep near the Sea-side, to be ready to relieve those that should swim to Land, in case any Misfortune should happen. He himself drew up his Fleet in a Line of Battel, and made towards the Enemy, having not above a Hundred and Eight Sail, with those taken in the Forts that were Deserted. The greatest of which Ships were of Seven Tire of Oars, but the most of them were of Five. In the Left Wing were Seven Phaenician Gallies of Seven Tire of Oars, and Thirty Athenian Vessels of Four Tire of Oars, commanded by Medius as Admiral. To support these, he drew up Ten Gallies of Six Tire of Oars, and as many of Five, conceiving it Prudence chiefly to guard that Wing where he himself intended to Engage. In the middle Battel he plac'd the Least Ships, under the Command of Themisus, the Samian, and Marsyas, the Writer of the Affairs of Macedon. The Right Wing was commanded by Hegesippus of Halicarnassus, and Pleisthias of Coos, who was Lord High Admiral of the whole Fleet.
Ptolemy at the first, made with all the Sail he could in the Night time towards Salamis, in hopes to enter the Port before the Enemy: But at break of Day spying the Enemy's Fleet not far off ready Drawn-up, he likewise forthwith prepar'd for Battel: And for this purpose ordered his Transport-Ships to lie off at Sea, at a great distance, and drew up the rest in a Line: He himself commanded in the Left Wing, where were the greatest of his Ships ready to defend him. The Fleets being thus drawn up, both sides (according to ancient Custom) call'd (by their Priests) upon their Gods, and the whole Army follow'd the Noise and Cry of them that first began. But the Princes seeing now all (both Lives and Fortunes) ready to be laid at Stake, were both in no small concern. Demetrius now not a Quarter of a League distant from the Enemy, gave the Sign of Battel which was before agreed upon, and that was the lifting up of a Golden Target visible to the whole Fleet, one part after another. Ptolemy doing the same, presently the Fleets join'd, and the Trumpets sounded a Charge, and both Armies setting up a great shout, to it they went in a dreadful and terrible Manner. At first they made use of Bows, and Engines to shoot Arrows, Stones, and Darts, by which many on both sides were grievously gall'd and wounded.
When the Ships came side to side, and fell foul with great Violence one upon another; those upon the Decks fell to it with their Launces and Spears, and the Rowers (encourag'd by them that call'd out to them) ply'd their Oars with extraordinary eagerness. And now the Vessels, with the Fierceness and Violence of the Charge, were so press'd upon each side, that some brush'd off the Oars one of another, so that they could neither Fly nor Pursue; and by this means disabled the Soldiers on board from making a vigorous Defence, by putting a Check to the Force wherewith they might otherwise have born down upon their Enemy; others so forc'd with the Beaks of their Ships upon one another's Poops, that they Row'd a-Stern from time to time to repeat their strokes. In the mean time, they upon the Hatches mutually wounded one another, every one having his Mark near and plain before him. Some of the Captains of the Vessels struck the Broad-sides of their Adversaries Ships with that Violence, that the Beaks stuck fast in them, whereupon they boarded the Enemy's Ships, giving and receiving Wounds and Blows on either side: Some catching hold upon the sides of Ships, when they miss'd Footing, in their attempts to board the other, tumbled Headlong into the Sea, and were forthwith run thrô with the Lances of them that were next at hand Some who prevail'd in the boarding of their Enemy, kill'd some upon their first Entrance, and drave all the rest in rucks one upon another, and flung them over-board. In fine, various and sudden were the Turns and Changes of Fortune in this Battel; while they that were worsted now, were presently after Conquerors by the height of their Ships over-topping their Adversaries; and then the Conquerors again brought into Streights, by being driven into ill Stations, and by other unaccountable Accidents, which frequently happen in these Cases. For in Land-Fights Valour apparently carries the Day, when no unusual Misfortune intervenes: But in Sea-Fights there are many and various Accidents often fall out, which sometimes on a sudden ruine them, whose Valour otherwise would certainly and most justly have brought them off Victorious. Of all the rest, Demetrius placing himself upon the Stern of his Gally of Seven Tire of Oars, behav'd himself with most Gallantry: For when he was surrounded with Throngs of Enemies on every side, he so bestirr'd himself, that he strew'd the Decks with them; some by Darts at a Distance, and others by his Lance Hand to Hand: Showers of Darts and other Weapons it's true were cast at him, but some he nimbly declin'd, and others he receiv'd on his Target and other defensive Arms that he then wore. In this Conflict there were Three that stuck close to him as his Assistants, whereof one was run through and Slain with a Lance, and the other two were both wounded.