Battle of Solebay
Encyclopedia
The naval Battle of Solebay took place on 28 May Old Style, 7 June New Style 1672 and was the first naval battle
of the Third Anglo-Dutch War
.
, commanded by Lieutenant-Admirals Michiel de Ruyter
, Adriaen Banckert
and Willem Joseph van Ghent
, surprised a joint Anglo-French fleet of 93 ships, 34,496 men and 6,018 cannon at anchor in Solebay (nowadays Sole Bay), near Southwold
in Suffolk
, on the east coast of England
.
The Duke of York
and Vice-Admiral Comte Jean II d'Estrées
planned to blockade the Dutch in their home ports and deny the North Sea to Dutch shipping. The Dutch had hoped to repeat the success of the Raid on the Medway
and a frigate squadron under Van Ghent sailed up the Thames in May but discovered that Sheerness Fort was now too well prepared to pass. The Dutch main fleet came too late, mainly due to coordination problems between the five Dutch admiralties, to prevent a joining of the English and French fleets. It followed the Allied fleet to the north, which, unaware of this, put in at Solebay to refit. On 7 June the Allies were caught by surprise and got into disarray when the Dutch fleet, having the weather gauge, suddenly appeared on the horizon in the early morning. The French fleet, whether through accident or design, steered south followed by Banckert's fifteen ships and limited its action to long-distance fire. Nevertheless the Superbe was heavily damaged and des Rabesnières killed by fire from Enno Doedes Star
's Groningen; total French casualties were about 450.
This left the Dutch van and centre to fight it out with the English, and the latter were hard pressed, as they had great difficulty to beat up the wind to bring ships out. The Duke of York had to move his flag twice, finally to London, as his flagships Prince
and St Michael were taken out of action. The Prince was crippled by De Ruyter's flagship De Zeven Provinciën in a two hours' duel. De Ruyter was accompanied by the representative of the States-General of the Netherlands
, Cornelis de Witt
(the brother of Grand Pensionary
Johan de Witt
) who bravely remained seated on the main deck, although half of his guard of honour standing next to him was killed or wounded.
Lieutenant-Admiral Aert Jansse van Nes
on the Eendracht first duelled Vice-Admiral Edward Spragge
on HMS London
and then was attacked by HMS Royal Katherine
. The latter ship was then so heavily damaged that Captain John Chichely struck her flag and was taken prisoner; the Dutch prize crew however got drunk on the brandy found and allowed the ship to be later recaptured by the English.
.jpg)
The flagship of Admiral Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich
, HMS Royal James
, was first fiercely engaged by Lieutenant-Admiral Van Ghent, who in 1667 had executed the Raid on the Medway
, on Dolfijn. Van Ghent was however killed by shrapnel. Then captain Jan van Brakel
made his Groot Hollandia attach to the Royal James, incessantly pounding the hull of that ship for over an hour and bringing her into such a condition that Lord Sandwich considered to strike his flag but decided against it because it was beneath his honour to surrender to a mere captain of low birth. He then ordered sloops from other ships to board the Groot Hollandia; his upper deck soon swarming with Englishmen Van Brakel was forced to cut the lines and retreat between friendly vessels to drive the boarding teams off. The Royal James now drifted away, sinking, and was attacked by several fire ship
s. She sank two, but a third, Vrede, commanded by Jan Daniëlszoon van den Rijn, its approach shielded by Vice-Admiral Isaac Sweers
's Oliphant, set her on fire. She burnt with great loss of life; Sandwich himself and his son-in-law Philip Carteret
drowned trying to escape when his sloop collapsed under the weight of panicked sailors jumping in; his body washed ashore, only recognisable by the scorched clothing still showing the shield of the Order of the Garter
.
During the battle the wind shifted, now giving the English the benefit of the weather gage; in the late afternoon the Dutch withdrew.
Losses were heavy on both sides: one Dutch ship, the Jozua, was destroyed and another, the Stavoren, captured, a third Dutch ship had an accident during repairs immediately after the battle and blew up. The battle ended inconclusively at sunset. Both sides claimed victory, the Dutch with the most justification as the English-French plan to blockade the Dutch was abandoned.
The fleets met again at the Battle of Schooneveld
in 1673.
The Netherlands (Michiel de Ruyter
Naval battle
A naval battle is a battle fought using boats, ships or other waterborne vessels. Most naval battles have occurred at sea, but a few have taken place on lakes or rivers. The earliest recorded naval battle took place in 1210 BC near Cyprus...
of the Third Anglo-Dutch War
Third Anglo-Dutch War
The Third Anglo–Dutch War or Third Dutch War was a military conflict between England and the Dutch Republic lasting from 1672 to 1674. It was part of the larger Franco-Dutch War...
.
The battle
A fleet of 75 ships, 20,738 men and 4,484 cannon of the United ProvincesDutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
, commanded by Lieutenant-Admirals Michiel de Ruyter
Michiel de Ruyter
Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter is the most famous and one of the most skilled admirals in Dutch history. De Ruyter is most famous for his role in the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th century. He fought the English and French and scored several major victories against them, the best known probably...
, Adriaen Banckert
Adriaen Banckert
Adriaen van Trappen Banckert was a Dutch admiral. In English literature he is sometimes known as Banckers. His first name is often rendered in the modern spelling Adriaan. Van Trappen was the original family name, but the family was also and better known under the name of Banckert...
and Willem Joseph van Ghent
Willem Joseph van Ghent
Willem Joseph baron van Ghent tot Drakenburgh was a 17th-century Dutch admiral. His surname is also sometimes rendered Gendt or Gent.-Early career:...
, surprised a joint Anglo-French fleet of 93 ships, 34,496 men and 6,018 cannon at anchor in Solebay (nowadays Sole Bay), near Southwold
Southwold
Southwold is a town on the North Sea coast, in the Waveney district of the English county of Suffolk. It is located on the North Sea coast at the mouth of the River Blyth within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town is around south of Lowestoft and north-east...
in Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
, on the east coast of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
The Duke of York
James II of England
James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland...
and Vice-Admiral Comte Jean II d'Estrées
Jean II d'Estrées
Jean II d'Estrées, , was a Marshal of France, and an important naval commander of Louis XIV.Jean d'Estrées was born in a noble family from Picardie...
planned to blockade the Dutch in their home ports and deny the North Sea to Dutch shipping. The Dutch had hoped to repeat the success of the Raid on the Medway
Raid on the Medway
The Raid on the Medway, sometimes called the Battle of the Medway, Raid on Chatham or the Battle of Chatham, was a successful Dutch attack on the largest English naval ships, laid up in the dockyards of their main naval base Chatham, that took place in June 1667 during the Second Anglo-Dutch War...
and a frigate squadron under Van Ghent sailed up the Thames in May but discovered that Sheerness Fort was now too well prepared to pass. The Dutch main fleet came too late, mainly due to coordination problems between the five Dutch admiralties, to prevent a joining of the English and French fleets. It followed the Allied fleet to the north, which, unaware of this, put in at Solebay to refit. On 7 June the Allies were caught by surprise and got into disarray when the Dutch fleet, having the weather gauge, suddenly appeared on the horizon in the early morning. The French fleet, whether through accident or design, steered south followed by Banckert's fifteen ships and limited its action to long-distance fire. Nevertheless the Superbe was heavily damaged and des Rabesnières killed by fire from Enno Doedes Star
Enno Doedes Star
Enno Doedes Star was a Dutch naval commander....
's Groningen; total French casualties were about 450.
This left the Dutch van and centre to fight it out with the English, and the latter were hard pressed, as they had great difficulty to beat up the wind to bring ships out. The Duke of York had to move his flag twice, finally to London, as his flagships Prince
HMS Prince (1670)
HMS Prince was a 100-gun first rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Phineas Pett II at Deptford Dockyard and launched in 1670. A contemporary shipyard model and a drawing by Willem van de Velde the Elder give a good impression how she looked...
and St Michael were taken out of action. The Prince was crippled by De Ruyter's flagship De Zeven Provinciën in a two hours' duel. De Ruyter was accompanied by the representative of the States-General of the Netherlands
States-General of the Netherlands
The States-General of the Netherlands is the bicameral legislature of the Netherlands, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The parliament meets in at the Binnenhof in The Hague. The archaic Dutch word "staten" originally related to the feudal classes in which medieval...
, Cornelis de Witt
Cornelis de Witt
Cornelis de Witt was a Dutch politician.-Biography:Cornelis de Witt was a member of the old Dutch patrician family De Witt. He was born on 15 June 1623 in Dordrecht, Holland, Dutch Republic...
(the brother of Grand Pensionary
Grand Pensionary
The Grand Pensionary was the most important Dutch official during the time of the United Provinces. In theory he was only a civil servant of the Estates of the dominant province among the Seven United Provinces: the county of Holland...
Johan de Witt
Johan de Witt
Johan de Witt, heer van Zuid- en Noord-Linschoten, Snelrewaard, Hekendorp and IJsselveere was a key figure in Dutch politics in the mid 17th century, when its flourishing sea trade in a period of globalization made the United Provinces a leading European power during the Dutch Golden Age...
) who bravely remained seated on the main deck, although half of his guard of honour standing next to him was killed or wounded.
Lieutenant-Admiral Aert Jansse van Nes
Aert Jansse van Nes
Aert Jansse van Nes was a 17th century Dutch naval commander, notable for commanding the second squadron in the raid on the Medway in 1667....
on the Eendracht first duelled Vice-Admiral Edward Spragge
Edward Spragge
Sir Edward Spragge was an English admiral. His name was also written as Spragg or Sprague.Spragge was a fiery, brilliantly accomplished Irish seaman who fought in many great actions after the restoration of King Charles II in 1660.Spragge was an officer of the Royal Navy who remained loyal to the...
on HMS London
HMS London (1670)
HMS London was a 96-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Christopher Pett at Deptford Dockyard until his death in March 1668, and completed by Jonas Shish and launched in 1670....
and then was attacked by HMS Royal Katherine
HMS Royal Katherine (1664)
HMS Royal Katherine was an 84-gun second-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1664 at Woolwich Dockyard.In the Second Anglo-Dutch War she fought at the Battle of Lowestoft , the Four Days' Battle , and the St. James's Day Battle...
. The latter ship was then so heavily damaged that Captain John Chichely struck her flag and was taken prisoner; the Dutch prize crew however got drunk on the brandy found and allowed the ship to be later recaptured by the English.
Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich
Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich, KG was an English Infantry officer who later became a naval officer. He was the only surviving son of Sir Sidney Montagu, and was brought up at Hinchingbrooke House....
, HMS Royal James
HMS Royal James (1671)
HMS Royal James was a 102-gun first rate ship of the line of the English Royal Navy, built by Sir Anthony Deane at Portsmouth Dockyard at a cost of £24,000, and launched on 31 March 1671....
, was first fiercely engaged by Lieutenant-Admiral Van Ghent, who in 1667 had executed the Raid on the Medway
Raid on the Medway
The Raid on the Medway, sometimes called the Battle of the Medway, Raid on Chatham or the Battle of Chatham, was a successful Dutch attack on the largest English naval ships, laid up in the dockyards of their main naval base Chatham, that took place in June 1667 during the Second Anglo-Dutch War...
, on Dolfijn. Van Ghent was however killed by shrapnel. Then captain Jan van Brakel
Jan van Brakel
Jan van Brakel was a Dutch Rear Admiral who distinguished himself on many occasions during the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch wars and the Nine Years War. Almost nothing is known about Van Brakels early career; we know neither his year of birth nor his backgrounds...
made his Groot Hollandia attach to the Royal James, incessantly pounding the hull of that ship for over an hour and bringing her into such a condition that Lord Sandwich considered to strike his flag but decided against it because it was beneath his honour to surrender to a mere captain of low birth. He then ordered sloops from other ships to board the Groot Hollandia; his upper deck soon swarming with Englishmen Van Brakel was forced to cut the lines and retreat between friendly vessels to drive the boarding teams off. The Royal James now drifted away, sinking, and was attacked by several fire ship
Fire ship
A fire ship, used in the days of wooden rowed or sailing ships, was a ship filled with combustibles, deliberately set on fire and steered into an enemy fleet, in order to destroy ships, or to create panic and make the enemy break formation. Ships used as fire ships were usually old and worn out or...
s. She sank two, but a third, Vrede, commanded by Jan Daniëlszoon van den Rijn, its approach shielded by Vice-Admiral Isaac Sweers
Isaac Sweers
Isaac Sweers was a 17th century Dutch admiral.HNLMS Isaac Sweers was Gerard Callenburgh class destroyer of the Royal Netherlands Navy, named after the admiral....
's Oliphant, set her on fire. She burnt with great loss of life; Sandwich himself and his son-in-law Philip Carteret
Philip Carteret FRS
Sir Philip Carteret Kt FRS , was son of Sir George Carteret.Philip was elected Fellow of the Royal Society on the 15th February 1665....
drowned trying to escape when his sloop collapsed under the weight of panicked sailors jumping in; his body washed ashore, only recognisable by the scorched clothing still showing the shield of the Order of the Garter
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
.
During the battle the wind shifted, now giving the English the benefit of the weather gage; in the late afternoon the Dutch withdrew.
Losses were heavy on both sides: one Dutch ship, the Jozua, was destroyed and another, the Stavoren, captured, a third Dutch ship had an accident during repairs immediately after the battle and blew up. The battle ended inconclusively at sunset. Both sides claimed victory, the Dutch with the most justification as the English-French plan to blockade the Dutch was abandoned.
The fleets met again at the Battle of Schooneveld
Battle of Schooneveld
The Battles of Schooneveld were two naval battles of the Franco-Dutch War, fought off the coast of the Netherlands on 7 June and 14 June 1673 between an allied Anglo-French fleet commanded by Prince Rupert of the Rhine, and the fleet of the United Provinces, commanded by Michiel de Ruyter.The...
in 1673.
Ship List
Not all fireships are listed; there were about 24 of them on the Allied, 36 on the Dutch side.England and France (The Duke of York and Albany)
| White Squadron (French) | Guns | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Terrible | 70 | (Rear Admiral Abraham Duquesne Abraham Duquesne Other topics that could fall under Duquesne can be found at Marquis Duquesne Abraham Duquesne, marquis du Bouchet was a French naval officer, who also saw service as an admiral in the Royal Swedish Navy. He was born in Dieppe, a seaport, in 1610, and was a Huguenot... ) |
| Illustre | 70 | Marquis de Grancey |
| Conquérant | 70 | M. de Thivas |
| Admirable | 68 | M. de Beaulieu |
| Téméraire | 50 | M. de Larson |
| Prince | 50 | Charles Davy, Marquis d'Amfreville |
| Bourbon | 50 | M. de Kervin |
| Vaillant | 50 | Chevalier de Nesmond André, marquis de Nesmond André, marquis de Nesmond was a French naval commander from the seventeenth century.He was the second son of Henri de Nesmond... |
| Alcion | 46 | M. Bitaut de Beor |
| Hasardeux | 38 | M. de la Vigerie |
| Saint Phillippe | 78 | (Vice Admiral Jean II, Comte d'Estrées Jean II d'Estrées Jean II d'Estrées, , was a Marshal of France, and an important naval commander of Louis XIV.Jean d'Estrées was born in a noble family from Picardie... ; cp. M. Pierre de Cou) |
| Foudroyant | 70 | M. Louis Gabaret |
| Grand | 70 | M. Gombaud |
| Tonnant | 58 | M. Des Ardents |
| Brave | 54 | Chevalier Jean-Baptiste de Valbelle |
| Aquilon | 50 | Chevalier d'Hally |
| Duc | 50 | Chevalier de Sepville |
| Oriflamme | 50 | M. de Kerjean |
| Excellent | 50 | M. de Magnon |
| Eole | 38 | Chevalier de Cogolin |
| Arrogant | 38 | M. de Villeneuve-Ferriere |
| Superbe | 70 | (Chef d'escadre Chef d'escadre In the ancien Régime French Navy, the rank of chef d'escadre was equivalent to the present-day rank of rear admiral. It was replaced in 1791 by the rank of "contre-amiral" .... Des Rabesnières, killed in battle) |
| Invincible | 70 | Comodorre de Verdille |
| Sans-Pareil | 66 | M. de la Clocheterie |
| Fort | 60 | Comte de Benac |
| Sage | 50 | M. Anne Hilarion de Contentin, Comte de Tourville Anne Hilarion de Tourville Anne Hilarion de Costentin, comte de Tourville was a French naval commander who served under King Louis XIV. He was made Marshal of France in 1693.-Military career:... |
| Heureux | 50 | M. Francois Panetie |
| Rubis | 46 | M. de Saint Aubin d'Infreville |
| Galant | 46 | Chevalier de Flacourt |
| Hardi | 38 | M. de la Roque-Garseval |
| Red Squadron (English) | Guns | Captain |
| London HMS London (1670) HMS London was a 96-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Christopher Pett at Deptford Dockyard until his death in March 1668, and completed by Jonas Shish and launched in 1670.... |
96 | (Vice Admiral Edward Spragge Edward Spragge Sir Edward Spragge was an English admiral. His name was also written as Spragg or Sprague.Spragge was a fiery, brilliantly accomplished Irish seaman who fought in many great actions after the restoration of King Charles II in 1660.Spragge was an officer of the Royal Navy who remained loyal to the... ) |
| Old James HMS James (1634) HMS James was a 48-gun second rank ship of the line of the English Royal Navy, built by Phineas Pett II at Deptford and launched in 1634.... |
70 | John Haywood |
| Resolution HMS Resolution (1667) HMS Resolution was a 70-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched at Harwich Dockyard in 6 December 1667. She was one of only three third rate vessels designed and built by the noted maritime architect Sir Anthony Deane.-History:... |
70 | John Berry |
| Dunkirk | 60 | Francis Courtney |
| Monck HMS Monck (1659) HMS Monck was a 52-gun third rate frigate built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Portsmouth, and launched in 1659. She retained her name after the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660. By 1677 her armament had been increased to 60 guns.... |
60 | Bernard Ludman, killed in battle |
| Monmouth HMS Monmouth (1667) HMS Monmouth was a 66-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, and was the second ship to be named for the town of Monmouth in Wales. She served from 1667 to 1767, winning ten battle honours over a century of active service... |
70 | Richard Beach |
| Royal Katherine HMS Royal Katherine (1664) HMS Royal Katherine was an 84-gun second-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1664 at Woolwich Dockyard.In the Second Anglo-Dutch War she fought at the Battle of Lowestoft , the Four Days' Battle , and the St. James's Day Battle... |
86 | John Chicheley |
| Dreadnought HMS Dreadnought (1654) Torrington was a 52-gun third-rate ship of the line, built under the 1652 Programme for the navy of the Commonwealth of England by Henry Johnson at Blackwall Yard, London, and launched in 1654. She was named for the Parliamentarian victory at the Battle of Torrington in 1646. After the Restoration... |
62 | Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Torrington Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Torrington Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Torrington was a British admiral and politician of the late 17th and early 18th century. Cashiered as a rear-admiral by James II of England in 1688 for refusing to vote to repeal the Test Act, which prevented Catholics from holding offices, he brought the Invitation to... |
| Adventure HMS Adventure (1646) Adventure was a 34-gun fourth-rate frigate of the English Royal Navy, built by Peter Pett II at Woolwich and launched in 1646. The term 'frigate' during the period of this ship referred to a method of construction, rather than a role which did not develop until the following century.By 1677 her... |
44 | |
| Dartmouth | 32 | Richard Sadlington |
| Supply | 6 | |
| Prince HMS Prince (1670) HMS Prince was a 100-gun first rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Phineas Pett II at Deptford Dockyard and launched in 1670. A contemporary shipyard model and a drawing by Willem van de Velde the Elder give a good impression how she looked... |
100 | (James Stuart, Duke of York and Albany, Lord High Admiral James II of England James II & VII was King of England and King of Ireland as James II and King of Scotland as James VII, from 6 February 1685. He was the last Catholic monarch to reign over the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland... ; First Captain John Cox, killed in battle, Second Captain John Narborough John Narborough Rear-Admiral Sir John Narborough or Narbrough was an English naval commander of the 17th century. He served with distinction during the Anglo-Dutch Wars and against the Barbary Coast pirates.-Early life:... ) |
| St Michael HMS St Michael (1669) HMS St Michael was a 90-gun second rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by John Tippetts of Portsmouth Dockyard and launched in 1669.... |
96 | Sir Robert Holmes Robert Holmes (admiral) Sir Robert Holmes was an English Admiral of the Restoration Navy. He took part in the second and third Anglo-Dutch wars, both of which he is, by some, credited with having started. He was made governor of the Isle of Wight, where he is buried in Yarmouth parish church... |
| Victory HMS Victory (1620) HMS Victory was a 42-gun great ship of the English Royal Navy, built by Andrew Burrell at Deptford and launched in 1620. She was first commissioned in 1627 under Captain Thomas Kettleby for the abortive attack on La Rochelle... |
82 | Thomas Butler, Earl of Ossory Thomas Butler, 6th Earl of Ossory Vice-Admiral Thomas Butler, 6th Earl of Ossory, KG, PC, PC was the eldest son of the James Butler, 1st Duke of Ormonde and Lady Elizabeth Preston, and an Irish politician born at Kilkenny Castle.-Life and career:... |
| Cambridge HMS Cambridge (1666) HMS Cambridge was a 70-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1666 at Deptford Dockyard.Cambridge was wrecked in 1694.... |
70 | Frescheville Holles Frescheville Holles Sir Frescheville Holles was an English Royal Navy officer and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1666 to 1672. He was killed in action fighting in the Anglo-Dutch war.... , killed in battle |
| York HMS York (1654) Marston Moor was a 52-gun third rate frigate built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Blackwall Yard, and launched in 1654.... |
64 | Thomas Elliot, killed in battle |
| Fairfax HMS Fairfax (1653) HMS Fairfax was a 52-gun third rate frigate, built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England by John Taylor at Chatham and launched in 1653. She retained her name after the Restoration in 1660.Fairfax was wrecked in 1682.... |
60 | George Legge George Legge, 1st Baron Dartmouth Admiral George Legge, 1st Baron Dartmouth PC was an English naval commander who gave distinguished service to both Charles II and James II.-Biography:... |
| Yarmouth HMS Yarmouth (1653) Yarmouth was a 44-gun fourth-rate frigate of the English Royal Navy, originally built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Great Yarmouth under the 1652 Programme, and launched in 1653... |
54 | Robert Werden |
| Portland HMS Portland (1653) Portland was a 40-gun fourth-rate frigate of the English Royal Navy, originally built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Wapping, and launched in 1653. By 1677 her armament had been increased to 48 guns.... |
50 | Thomas Guy |
| Diamond | 50 | Thomas Foulis |
| Phoenix | 40 | Richard Le Neve |
| Robert | 26 | |
| Charles HMS Charles (1668) HMS Charles was 96-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Christopher Pett at Deptford Dockyard until his death in March 1668, then completed by Jonas Shish after being launched in the same month. Her name was formally Charles the Second, but she was known simply as Charles,... |
96 | (Rear Admiral Sir John Harman) |
| Rainbow HMS Rainbow (1586) RainbowThe 'HMS' prefix was not used until the middle of the 18th century, but is sometimes applied retrospectively was a galleon of the English Royal Navy, built at Deptford Dockyard by Peter Pett , and launched in 1586... |
64 | James Storey |
| Revenge HMS Revenge (1654) Newbury was a 52-gun third rate frigate built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Limehouse, and launched in 1654. She was named for the Parliamentarian victories at the two battles of Newbury.... |
62 | John Hart Sr. |
| Greenwich HMS Greenwich (1666) HMS Greenwich was a 54-gun fourth-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Christopher Pett at Woolwich Dockyard and launched in 1666.... |
60 | Levi Greene |
| Anne HMS Anne (1654) Bridgewater was a 52-gun third rate frigate built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Deptford, and launched in 1654.After the Restoration in 1660, her name was changed to HMS Anne. She was accidentally blown up in 1673.... |
58 | John Waterworth, killed in battle |
| Advice HMS Advice (1650) HMS Advice was a 40-gun fourth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy. It was originally built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England by Peter Pett II at Woodbrige, and was launched in 1650. By 1677 her armament had been increased to 48 guns.... |
50 | Dominick Nugent |
| Dover HMS Dover (1654) HMS Dover was a 40-gun fourth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy, originally built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Shoreham, and launched in 1654... |
48 | Sir John Ernle John Ernle The Right Honourable Sir John Ernle was an English Member of Parliament, sitting first in the Cavalier Parliament of 1660-1679 and becoming one of the longest-serving Chancellors of the Exchequer of England, a position he held from 2 May 1676 to 9 April 1689.-Antecedents:Ernle was descended from... (or Ernley) |
| Forester | 40 | |
| Blue Squadron (English) | Guns | Captain |
| St Andrew HMS St Andrew (1670) HMS St Andrew was a 96-gun first-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built at Woolwich Dockyard by Christopher Pett until his death in March 1668, and then completed by Jonas Shish, and launched in 1670.... |
96 | (Rear Admiral John Kempthorne John Kempthorne (Royal Navy officer) Sir John Kempthorne was an officer in the English Royal Navy during the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch Wars, who eventually rose to the rank of Vice-Admiral.-Childhood and early years:... ) |
| French Ruby | 80 | Thomas R. Cole |
| St George HMS St George (1622) HMS St George, sometimes written as HMS George, was a 42-gun great ship of the English Royal Navy, built by Andrew Burrell at Deptford and launched in 1622. By 1660 her armament had been increased to 56 guns.... |
70 | Jeffrey Pearce, killed in battle |
| Warspite HMS Warspite (1666) HMS Warspite was a 70-gun third-rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, launched in 1666 at Blackwall Yard. This second Warspite was one of the five ships designed to carry more provisions and lower deck guns higher above the water than French and Dutch equivalents... |
70 | Richard White |
| Gloucester HMS Gloucester (1654) HMS Gloucester was a 50-gun third rate frigate built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Limehouse, and launched in 1654. By 1677 her armament had been increased to 60 guns.... |
62 | William Coleman |
| Bonaventure HMS Bonaventure (1650) President was a 38-gun fourth rate frigate of the Royal Navy, originally built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England by Peter Pett I at Deptford Dockyard, and launched in 1650.... |
48 | Richard Trevanion |
| Antelope HMS Antelope (1653) The Preston was a 40-gun fourth-rate frigate of the English Royal Navy, originally built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Woodbridge, and launched in 1653.... |
48 | |
| Success | 32 | George Watson |
| Royal James HMS Royal James (1671) HMS Royal James was a 102-gun first rate ship of the line of the English Royal Navy, built by Sir Anthony Deane at Portsmouth Dockyard at a cost of £24,000, and launched on 31 March 1671.... |
100 | (Admiral Sir Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich, KG was an English Infantry officer who later became a naval officer. He was the only surviving son of Sir Sidney Montagu, and was brought up at Hinchingbrooke House.... (killed in battle); Captain Richard Haddock Richard Haddock Sir Richard Haddock was an officer of the Royal Navy. He served during the Anglo-Dutch Wars, eventually rising to the rank of Admiral in August 1690.-Family and early life:... ) |
| Henry HMS Henry (1656) Dunbar was a 64-gun second rate ship of the line of the English Royal Navy, originally built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Deptford, and launched in 1656.... |
82 | Francis Digby, killed in battle |
| Edgar HMS Edgar (1668) HMS Edgar was a 72-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, built by Baylie of Bristol and launched in 1668. By 1685 she was carrying 74 guns.... |
72 | John Wetwang |
| Rupert HMS Rupert (1666) HMS Rupert was a 64-gun third rate ship of the line of the Royal Navy, ordered on 26 October 1664 as part of the ship construction programme of that year... |
66 | John Holmes |
| Montagu HMS Montague (1654) Lyme was a 52-gun third rate frigate built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Portsmouth, and launched in 1654.After the Restoration in 1660 she was renamed HMS Montague. She was widened in 1675 and underwent her first rebuild in 1698 at Woolwich Dockyard as a 60-gun fourth rate ship... |
62 | Thomas Darcy |
| Leopard HMS Leopard (1659) Leopard was a 44-gun fourth-rate frigate of the English Royal Navy, originally built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Deptford, and launched in February 1659. By 1666 her armament had been increased to 56 guns.... |
54 | Peter Bowen |
| Crown HMS Crown (1654) The Taunton was a 40-gun fourth-rate frigate of the Royal Navy, originally built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Rotherhithe, and launched in 1654.... |
48 | William Finch |
| Falcon | 40 | Charles Montague |
| Alice & Francis | 26 | George Yennes, killed in battle |
| Royal Sovereign HMS Sovereign of the Seas Sovereign of the Seas was a 17th century warship of the English Navy. She was ordered as a 90-gun first-rate ship of the line of the English Royal Navy, but at launch was armed with 102 bronze guns, at the insistence of the king... |
100 | (Vice Admiral Sir Joseph Jordan Joseph Jordan Sir Joseph Jordan was a naval officer and admiral. From a Thames shipowning family, he is initially recorded as importing tobacco from Nevis and Barbados aboard the Amity.... ) |
| Triumph HMS Triumph (1623) HMS Triumph was a 42-gun great ship or second rate of the English Royal Navy, built by William Burrell at Deptford Royal Dockyard and launched in 1623. Like many major warships in the 17th century, she was modified at various times during her life, so that her dimensions and tonnage grew during her... |
74 | Willoughby Hannam, killed in battle |
| Unicorn HMS Unicorn (1634) HMS Unicorn was a 46-gun second rank ship of the line of the English Royal Navy, launched at Woolwich in 1634.By 1660, her armament had been increased to 56 guns. Unicorn was sold out of the navy in 1688.... |
68 | Richard James |
| Mary HMS Mary (1650) Speaker was a 50-gun third-rate frigate and the name ship of the , built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England by Christopher Pett at Woolwich Dockyard and launched in 1650. At the Restoration she was renamed HMS Mary... |
62 | John Brooks |
| Plymouth HMS Plymouth (1653) HMS Plymouth was a 52-gun third-rate frigate, built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England and launched at Wapping in 1653. By 1677 her armament had been increased to 60 guns.... |
60 | Sir Roger Strickland |
| Princesse | 54 | Sir Richard Munden |
| Ruby HMS Ruby (1652) HMS Ruby was a 40-gun fourth rate frigate of the English Royal Navy, originally built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England by Peter Pett at Deptford, and was launched on 15 March 1652.... |
48 | Stephen Pyend |
| Mary Rose HMS Mary Rose (1654) The Maidstone was a 40-gun fourth-rate frigate of the English Royal Navy, originally built for the navy of the Commonwealth of England at Woodbridge, and launched in 1654.... |
48 | William Davies |
| Tyger HMS Tyger (1647) HMS Tyger, often spelled Tiger, was a 38-gun fourth rate frigate of the Royal Navy, built by Peter Pett II at Woolwich and launched in 1647. The term 'frigate' during the period of this ship referred to a method of construction, rather than a role which did not develop until the following century... |
44 | John Turner |
The Netherlands (Michiel de RuyterMichiel de RuyterMichiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter is the most famous and one of the most skilled admirals in Dutch history. De Ruyter is most famous for his role in the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th century. He fought the English and French and scored several major victories against them, the best known probably...
)
| Admiralty of Amsterdam | Guns | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Akerboom | 60 | Jacob Teding van Berkhout |
| Woerden | 70 | Jacob Binckes |
| Jaersveld | 48 | Nicolaes de Boes |
| Stad Utrecht | 66 | Jan Davidszoon Bondt |
| Callantsoog | 70 | Hendrik Brouwer |
| Stavoren | 48 | Daniël Elsevier |
| Amsterdam | 60 | Anske Fokkes |
| Provincie van Utrecht | 60 | Jan Pauluszoon van Gelder |
| Dolphijn | 82 | Lt-Admiral Willem Joseph, Baron van Ghent (killed in battle), Flag-Cpt Michiel Kindt |
| Gouda | 72 | Schout-bij-Nacht Jan de Haan |
| Leeuwen | 50 | Jan Gijsels van Lier |
| Reigersbergen | 72 | Commodore Jacob van Meeuwen |
| Gideon | 58 | Pieter Middelandt |
| Essen | 50 | Philips de Munnik |
| Waesdorp | 72 | Francois Palm |
| Steenbergen | 68 | Jan Roetering |
| Deventer | 60 | Engel de Ruyter |
| Agatha | 50 | Pieter Corneliszoon de Sitter |
| Oosterwijk | 60 | Volckert Hendrikszoon Swart |
| Olifant | 82 | Vice-Admiral Isaac Sweers |
| Beschermer | 50 | David Swerius (Sweers) |
| Oudshoorn HMS Swiftsure (1621) HMS Swiftsure was a 42-gun great ship of the English Royal Navy, built by Andrew Burrell at Deptford and launched in 1621.She was rebuilt in 1654 at Woolwich by Christopher Pett as a 60-gun third rate ship of the line. She was the flagship of Vice-Admiral Sir William Berkeley at the Four Days'... |
70 | Tomas Tobiaszoon |
| Komeetstar | 70 | Hendrik van Tol |
| Kruiningen | 56 | Balthazar van de Voorde |
| Edam (frigate) | 32 | Jacob Willemszoon Broeder |
| Bommel (frigate) | 24 | Pieter Klaaszoon Dekker |
| Asperen (frigate) | 30 | Barent Hals |
| Damiaten (frigate) | 34 | Jan Janszoon de Jongh |
| Popkensburg (frigate) | 24 | Mattheus Megank |
| Haas (frigate) | 24 | Hendrik Titus, Graaf van Nassau |
| Overijssel (frigate) | 30 | Cornelis Tijloos |
| Postijljon (frigate) | 24 | Roemer Vlacq |
| Brak (frigate) | 24 | Cornelis van der Zaan |
| Egmond (advice yacht) | 10 | Jan Bogaart |
| Triton (advice yacht) | 12 | Huibert Geel |
| Kater (advice yacht) | 8 | Jan Kramer |
| Walvis (advice yacht) | 12 | Jan Klaaszoon van Oosthuys |
| Eenhoorn (advice yacht) | 10 | Jacob Stadtlander |
| Kat (advice yacht) | 12 | Abraham Taelman |
| Galei (advice yacht) | 12 | Marcus Willemszoon |
| Velsen (fireship) | ? | Hendrick Hendricksen |
| Windhond (fireship) | ? | Willem Willemsen |
| Beemster (fireship) | ? | Hendrick Rosaeus |
| Sollenburg (fireship) | ? | Jan Janssen Bout |
| Draak (fireship) | ? | Pieter van Grootveldt |
| Leydtstar (fireship) | ? | Sybrant Barentsen |
| St. Salvador (fireship) | ? | Andries Randel |
| Sollenburgh (fireship) | ? | Klaas Pietersen Schuit |
| Admiralty of de Maze Admiralty of Rotterdam The Admiralty of Rotterdam, also called the Admiralty of de Maze, was one of the five Admiralties in the Dutch Republic.-History:It was set up in 1574 during the Dutch Revolt, when William I of Orange's supporters decided to pool their naval resources at Rotterdam... (Rotterdam) |
Guns | Captain |
| De Zeven Provinciën Dutch ship De Zeven Provinciën (1665) De Zeven Provinciën was a Dutch ship of the line, originally armed with 80 guns. The name of the ship was also written as De 7 Provinciën. The literal translation is "The Seven Provinces", the name referring to the fact that the Dutch Republic in the 17th century was a confederation of seven... |
80 | fleet flag, Lt-Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, 1st Lieutenant Gerard Callenburgh Gerard Callenburgh Gerard Callenburgh was a Dutch admiral.Gerard was born in Willemstad, the son of a wood-trader, but chose to enter the Dutch navy in 1661 as a cadet, serving the Admiralty of the Maze. He was made second lieutenant in May 1666 during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. On 10 February 1671 he was promoted... |
| Wassenaer | 56 | Philips van Almonde Philips van Almonde Philips van Almonde was a Dutch Lieutenant Admiral, who served in his nation’s maritime conflicts of the 17th and early 18th centuries.Philips was the son of Pieter Jansz van Almonde, a wealthy burgher... |
| Groot Hollandia | 60 | Jan van Brakel Jan van Brakel Jan van Brakel was a Dutch Rear Admiral who distinguished himself on many occasions during the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch wars and the Nine Years War. Almost nothing is known about Van Brakels early career; we know neither his year of birth nor his backgrounds... |
| Gelderland | 64 | Laurens Davidszoon van Convent |
| Zeelandia | 44 | Jan de Laucourt |
| Maagd van Dordrecht | 68 | Vice-Admiral Jan Evertszoon de Liefde |
| Reigersbergen | 72 | Jacob van Meeuwen |
| Schieland | 60 | Nicolaes Naalhout |
| Eendracht | 76 | Lt-Admiral Aert Janszoon van Nes |
| Ridderschap van Holland Ridderschap van Holland Ridderschap van Holland was a large retourschip , the largest class of merchantmen built by the Dutch East India Company to trade with the East Indies. In 1694 the ship sailed for Batavia on her fifth voyage, but did not reach its destination and was never heard from again... |
66 | Schout-bij-Nacht Jan Janszoon van Nes |
| Dordrecht | 50 | Barend Rees |
| Delft | 62 | Gerolf Ysselmuyden |
| Utrecht (frigate) | 36 | François van Aarssen |
| Schiedam (frigate) | 20 | François van Nijdek |
| Harderwijk (frigate) | 24 | Mozes Wichmans |
| Faam (advice yacht) | 12 | Cornelis Jacobszoon van der Hoeven |
| Rotterdam (advice yacht) | 5 | Wijnand van Meurs |
| Gorinchem (fireship) | 4 | Dirk de Munnik |
| Vrede (fireship) | 2 | Jan Daniëlszoon van den Rijn |
| Swol (fireship) | ? | Abraham Schryver |
| Eenhoorn (fireship) | ? | Pieter Besançon |
| Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier | Guns | Captain |
| Alkmaar | 62 | Klaas Anker |
| Wapen van Holland | 44 | Cornelis Jacobszoon de Boer |
| Jupiter | 40 | Jacob de Boer |
| Gelderland | 56 | Maarten Jacobszoon de Boer |
| Jozua | 54 | Jan Dick |
| Justina van Nassau | 64 | Jan Heck |
| Westfriesland | 78 | Johan Belgicus, Graaf van Hoorne |
| Wapen van Nassau | 62 | Peiter Kerseboom |
| Caleb | 48 | Jan Krook |
| Noorderkwartier | 60 | Jan Janszoon Maauw |
| Pacificatie | 76 | Vice-Admiral Volckert Schram |
| Drie Helden Davids | 50 | Claes Corneliszoon Valehen |
| Wapen van Medemblick | 46 | Hendrik Visscher |
| Wapen van Enkhuizen | 72 | Schout-bij-Nacht David Vlugh |
| Wapen van Hoorn | 62 | Claes Pieterszoon Wijnbergen |
| Helena Leonora (fireship) | ? | Pieter Syvertsen Bokker |
| Admiralty of Zealand | Guns | Captain |
| Walcheren | 70 | Lt-Admiral Adriaen Banckert Adriaen Banckert Adriaen van Trappen Banckert was a Dutch admiral. In English literature he is sometimes known as Banckers. His first name is often rendered in the modern spelling Adriaan. Van Trappen was the original family name, but the family was also and better known under the name of Banckert... |
| Kampveere | 50 | Adriaan van Cruiningen |
| Zierikzee | 60 | Vice-Admiral Cornelis Evertsen de Jonge Cornelis Evertsen the Younger Cornelis Evertsen the Younger was a Dutch Admiral from the 17th century.Cornelis was the son of Lieutenant-Admiral Johan Evertsen and the nephew of Lieutenant-Admiral Cornelis Evertsen the Elder... |
| Zwanenburg | 44 | Cornelis Evertsen de Jongste Cornelis Evertsen the Youngest Cornelis Evertsen the Youngest is a Dutch admiral from the 17th century.Cornelis was the second son of Lieutenant-Admiral Cornelis Evertsen the Elder, nephew of Lieutenant-Admiral Johan Evertsen and cousin of the latter's son Vice-Admiral Cornelis Evertsen the Younger, with whom he is very often... |
| Middelburg | 50 | Willem Hendrikszoon |
| Oranje | 70 | Schout-bij-Nacht Jan Matthijszoon |
| Vlissingen | 50 | Salomon Le Sage |
| Visscher Harder (frigate) | 26 | Barent Martenszoon Boom |
| Delft (frigate) | 34 | Simon Loncke |
| Ter Goes (frigate) | 34 | Karel van der Putte |
| Bruinvisch (advice) | 6 | Cornelis Hollardt |
| Zeehond (advice) | ? | Anteunis Matthijszoon |
| Zwaluw (advice) | 6 | Karel de Ritter |
| Middelburgh (fireship) | ? | Willem Meerman |
| Prinsje (fireship) | ? | Cornelis Ewout |
| Hoop (fireship) | ? | Antony Janssen |
| Admiralty of Friesland | Guns | Captain |
| Elf Steden | 54 | Wytse Johannes Beyma |
| Prins Hendrik Casimir | 70 | Schout-bij-Nacht Hendrik Bruynsvelt |
| Westergo | 56 | Yde Hilkeszoon Kolaart |
| Groningen | 70 | Vice-Admiral Enno Doedes Star |
| Vredewold | 60 | Christiaan Ebelszoon Uma |
| Oostergo | 62 | Jan Janszoon Vijselaar |
| Windhond (frigate) | 34 | Joost Michelszoon Kuik |
| ? (advice yacht) | ? | snauw, Pieter Pauw |
See also
- Seven ships of the Royal NavyRoyal NavyThe Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
have been named HMS SolebayHMS SolebaySeven ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Solebay after the battle of Solebay on 7 June 1672, the first battle of the Third Anglo-Dutch War.* Solebay, launched in 1694, was a sixth-rate of 32 guns, wrecked in 1709 near Boston, Massachusetts....
after this battle.