>Smug from a previous war? Don't understand. In any case, although the battle was regarded as a victory for the Royal Navy, in reality they lost far more than the Bosche, although the battled did secure British dominance on the high seas (but not below water!)
Meant smug from having won before that they would not dare try again in force, therefore paying less attention to the area as they should've. Especially underwater as you mentioned.
"Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice." -- Dave Barry
