Ostend had been completely
rebuilt and fortified eighteen years previously, and was defended
by ramparts, counterscarps, and two broad ditches. The sand hills
between it and the sea were cut through, and the water filled
the ditches and surrounded the town. To the south the country was
intersected by a network of canals. The river Yper Leet came in
at the back of the town, and after mingling with the salt water in
the ditches found its way to the sea through the channels known as
the Old Haven and the Geule, the first on the west, the second on
the east of the town.
On either side of these channels the land rose slightly, enabling the
besiegers to plant their batteries in very advantageous positions.
The garrison at first consisted of but 2000 men under Governor
Vander Nood. The States General considered the defence of Ostend
to be of extreme importance to the cause, and appointed Sir Francis
Vere general of the army in and about Ostend, and sent with him
600 Dutch troops and eight companies of English under the command
of his brother, Sir Horace. This raised the garrison to the strength
of 3600 men. Sir Francis landed with these reinforcements on the
sands opposite the old town, which stood near the seashore between
the Old Haven and the Geule, and was separated from the new town
by a broad channel. He was forced to land here, as the Spanish guns
on the sand hills commanded the entrances of the two channels.
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