English Captain: Walter Wood

Walter Wood served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. From 1650 to 1651, he commanded the Guinea frigate (34 guns). In 1653, he commanded the 4th Rate Centurion, until he was dismissed. He fought at the Battle of Portland, in February 1653. On 30 March 1653, he sailed from Portsmouth with the ships commanded by William Penn. At the Battle of the Gabbard, Walter Wood was in the Lionel Lane's (Vice-Admiral of the White) division. R. C. Anderson notes that he was dismissed, but I have not been able to find the details in The First Dutch War. We only know for certain that by December 1653, Robert Nixon commanded the Centurion. Prior to that, the Centurion had poor masts, was in need of careening, and other repairs. After the Restoration, Walter Wood was employed. He commanded the 3rd Rate Henrietta (58 guns) in Prince Rupert's division at the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665. Walter Wood again commanded the Henrietta at the Four Days' Battle. He was still in Prince Rupert's division. Walter Wood was one of the English captains killed in the battle. A total of 25 captains were killed, wounded, or captured. Sources:

1. R.C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
3. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
4. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.VI, 1930.
5. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.