Page "Battle of Artemisium" Paragraph 16

The Allied fleet sailed north to Cape Artemisium once it became known that the Persian army was advancing along the coast past Mount Olympus, probably around late July or the beginning of August.

The Allies took up station at Artemisium, most likely beaching their ships at the headland, from which they could be quickly launched as needed.

The Allies sent three ships to Skiathos as scouts to provide warning of the approach of the Persian fleet.

Two weeks passed without sight of the Persian fleet.

Finally, ten Sidonian triremes arrived off Skiathos, and the main Allied fleet was informed by a fire-beacon lit on the island.

However, the Allied patrol ships themselves were caught unaware and two were captured, whilst one ran aground.

According to Herodotus, in the ensuing confusion, unsure whether or not the beacon heralded the arrival of the whole Persian fleet, as a precaution the whole Allied fleet launched into the straits of Artemisium.

Once it became clear that the Persian fleet was not going to arrive that day, they decided to sail to Chalcis, halfway down on the western coast of Euboea, leaving men on the heights of Euboea to warn of the actual arrival of the Persian ships.