English Captain: John Best

John Best served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. From 1653 to 1654, he commanded the Dutch prize Elias (captured at the Battle of the Gabbard). From 1655 to 1656, he commanded the 4th Rate Adventure. In 1665, John Best commanded the 4th Rate Marmaduke. He died before 1688. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Sir George Ayscue's squadron sent to Barbados

Sir George Ayscue actually helped to fuel the start of the First Anglo-Dutch War while on his voyage to the West Indies. He took some Dutch ships and further aggravated relations. Sir George's squadron consisted of 7 ships:

1. Rainbow, 52 guns Sir George Ayscue crew 280
2. Amity, 36 guns Michael Packe crew 150
3. Success, 30 guns Edward Witheridge crew 90
4. Ruth, 30 guns Edward Thompson crew 80
5. Brazil frigate, 24 guns Thomas Heath crew 70
6. Malaga merchant, 30 guns Henry Collins crew 90
7. Increase of London, 36 guns Thomas Varvell crew 100

English Captain: George Swanley

George Swanley served the Parliamentarian, Commonwealth, and Restoration navies. In 1642, he commanded the hired merchantman Bonaventure. In 1646, he was nominally in command of the hired merchantman George Bonaventure, although the ship was in reserve. From 1651 to 1653, he commanded the hired merchantman Providence (24 guns and a crew of 84 men). On 29 April 1652, he was mentioned as being involved with convoying merchantmen in the Providence. On 30 May, he and the Providence were ordered to the Downs to provide local defense. On30 March 1653, he and others were ordered to sail with William Penn for London, as they needed stores. It does seem likely that he is the George Swanley who commanded the Princess (52 guns) in 1664. He fought at the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665. 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. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
4. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
5. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Information about Robert Blake and his brother, Benjamin

Andrew drew this to my attention. There is a page (CustomerServiceCareers.com, oddly enough) that has a page on Robert Blake, which contains information about his brother, Benjamin Blake. It turns out that Benjamin emigrated to America (South Carolina), late in life. Benjamin had served in the Commonwealth navy during the First Anglo-Dutch War.

English Captain: Thomas Sparling (Updated)

Thomas Sparling served in the Parliamentarian, Commonwealth, and Restoration navies. I will need to add more about his service in the Restoration navy, later. In 1648, he commanded the shallop Spy (6 guns). From 1650 to 1653, he commanded the 5th Rate Little President (22 guns). He fought at the Battle of the Kentish Knock, as captain of the Little President. On 3 September 1653, he still commanded the Little President. That was also true on 17 December. From 1654 to 1660, he commanded the 4th Rate Assistance. King Charles appointed him to continue to command the Assistance after the Restoration. He died before 1688. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
4. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
5. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

More information about the Earl of Warwick (thanks to Andrew)

Andrew found more information about Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick, who served in the Parliamentarian navy, as well as in King Charles I's navy. A similar article is on the "British Civil Wars" website. This is the link to the article about the Earl of Warwick. I suspect that Andrew has seen the similar, Britannica article, as there are subtle differences. The article starts off:

"The eldest son of Robert Rich, 1st Earl of Warwick and of his wife Penelope Rich. He succeeded to the earldom of Warwick in 1619 and was active in colonial ventures in New England and the West Indies during the 1620s and '30s. Warwick also financed and sometimes took part in unofficial privateering expeditions against the Spaniards. A staunch Puritan, he became increasingly alienated from Court life and was associated with the opposition to the King's policies led by Lord Saye and Sele at Broughton Castle."

And finally...

"The new republican government in England regarded Warwick's actions against the Royalists as over-cautious. His brother the Earl of Holland was at this time facing trial for fighting against Parliament in the Second Civil War. It was impossible to allow Warwick to retain control of the Navy. In February 1649, his commission was revoked and he was replaced by the three Generals-at-Sea Popham, Blake and Deane. Thereafter, Warwick retired from public life."

I highly recommend the British Civil War site. As I have noted before, their page on the First Anglo-Dutch War is a good summary. What Andrew saw must be at "The Extinct Essex Barringtons" website. This is the place that has the exact words he quoted to me. The British Civil Wars article is longer, and contains some of the same words, even.

English Captain: John Wadsworth

John Wadsworth served in the Commonwealth navy. From 1650 to 1652, he commanded the 4th Rate Phoenix (36 guns and a crew of 150 men). He was definitely in command in February 1652. He was under Richard Badiley's command, with the group sent to the Mediterranean Sea. He fought at the Battle of Monte Cristo (Elba), in Badiley's squadron. This was the battle where Anderson says:

"The Phoenix had been 'lost in a most sudden and strange manner'. Trying to come to the help of the Paragon she ran across the bows of the Eendracht, was boarded and taken."

John Wadsworth was taken prisoner by the Dutch. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "The First Dutch War in the Mediterranean," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.49, No.4, November 1963.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

English Naval Officer: Sir Henry Mervyn

Gary Danvers, on the web has a mention of Sir Henry Mervyn:

Frequent references are made in the ‘Calendar of State Papers (Domestic)’ to Danby, especially in connection with the defence of the Channel Islands. In a letter to Secretary Coke, in August 1627, Danby ‘thinks it not for the king’s honour, nor suitable to his own reputation, that he, who was appointed general against anticipated foreign invaders in Ireland, should go to Guernsey to be shut up in a castle; but, if it be the king’s pleasure, he will be at Portsmouth before Sir Henry Mervyn can bring round a ship for his transport’ (ib. 1627-28, pp. 321-22).

Another source (The Story of Shoreham) says of him:

In November, 1629, Sir Henry Mervyn, Admiral of the Narrow ,Seas, from his ship the " Lion," then in the Downs, reported that he had " stayed the Peter." She was laden with barley, and her master, Richard Graseden, " had no papers and gave contradictory accounts of himself." Sir Henry prayed for immediate instructions, as the corn " began to heat." These were given and the vessel was ordered to London, from which port, ten days later, he informed the Admiralty that " the master of the bark has brought certain papers from Shoreham " which he (Sir Henry) encloses, and he thinks they are not counterfeit, "' whatever was the cause of the master's double tales."

Later, he was involved with rescuing captives from the Barbary Pirates:

Many alliances and their origins can be established looking at Giles Penn. In February 1635/6 Earl Algernon makes a request that the captains pay be raised and that they each be assigned a lieutenant. Among those serving under Algernon Earl of Northumberland as Admiral, are Sir John Pennington as Vice Admiral, Sir Henry Mervyn as Rear Admiral, George Carteret, captain of the Mary Rose, and Captain Rainborow. These men become irreversibly linked with Giles Penn. Giles grandson is the founder of Pennsylvania William Penn. William Penn marries the stepchild of Pennington’s. George Carteret’s widow transfers property to Founder Penn. The family of Rainsborough has established kinships with the New England families of Ball, Coytemore, Gray, and Wynn. There are certainly relationships between these families and the family of George Penn, brother of Giles Penn to be defined in the future.

My published source about Sir Henry is N.A.M. Rodger's The Safeguard of the Sea. In the 1620's, there was great difficulty in both manning ships and paying the men. There were mutinies and desertions, because of this. Sir John Pennington said their condition was so poor, that he sympathized with them, and felt bad that he was not able to help. (p.401) Upon the return of the fleet from the operation in France (at the Îsle of Ré), Sir Henry Mervyn lost 40 men from his ship, the Vanguard. The men were treated abominably. They had no hammocks and had to sleep on the bare deck. They were exposed to the weather, without adequate clothing, and lost appendages from frostbite and being cold and wet. In 1629, conditions were still poor. Sir Henry Mervyn was commander of the Narrow Seas, and had six ships in the Downs. They lacked food and pay. The overall problem was the lack of funding for the navy. Sir Henry also complained about the quality of captains, and he asked for John Mennes, as he was educated, unlike most of his peers.

The Battle of the Kentish Knock, per The Anglo-Dutch Wars 1652-1674

There are several noteworthy items from The Anglo-Dutch Wars 1652-1674 with respect to the Battle of the Kentish Knock. One is that one Dutch ship carried 62 guns. This must be the Brederode, although I have not found a reference that says that she ever carried more than 59 guns. Given that the Dutch packed 46 guns onto the little Prinses Louise for a while, 62 on the Brederode is not out of the question. The drawing I have seen doesn't indicate to me that this is true, but I need to recount gun ports. She was probably carrying at least 58 guns by the end of 1652, as she carried four smaller guns on the forecastle, on either side of the foremast shrouds. Another tidbit was that the East Indiamen were used as a rearguard for the retreating fleet (presumably the Prins Willem and the Vogelstruis). The Prins Willem was a 170ft ship while the Vogelstruis was a 160ft ship, and they were the largest Dutch vessels present at the Kentish Knock. The next largest ship was the Brederode, and she was about 144ft long (in Amsterdam feet, not the 132 Maas feet usually quoted). I currently believe that the Brederode was commanded at the Kentish Knock by Abel Roelants, with Egbert Meeuwssen Cortenaer still as the "Stuurman". Of course, a year later, Egbert Meeuwssen Cortenaer was a squadron commander of 16 ships, with his flag on the Brederode.

A first impression of Hainsworth's and Churches' bibliography

I notice that Hainsworth and Churches (The Anglo-Dutch Naval Wars 1652-1674)have pretty complete coverage of the literature, with several, major exceptions. The greatest omissions are the two books by Dr. Johan E. Elias: Schetsen Uit de Geschiedenis van Ons Zeewezen (6 volumes) and De Vlootbouw in Nederland in de Eerste Helft der Zeventiende Eeuw, 1596-1655. Another omission is J.C. de Jonge's 6-volume work Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen (5 volumes). The latter work is mainly useful for the appendices, but the text is worth scanning, at the minimum. They were able to use sources to which I have not found access, such as Barlow's journal. I do have many of the others, but not all, by any means.

D. K. Brown's article "The Form and Speed of Sailing Warships"

Frank Fox had told me about this article a number of years ago. David K. Brown wrote an article for The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.3 (August 1998) called "The Form and Speed of Sailing Warships" (pp.298-307). His conclusions:

1. Hull form affects resistance only at the highest speed, and then, only marginally
2. Speed is not affected by trim to any great degree
3. Yaw will noticeably affect ships, especially at low speeds
4. Stern down trim helps sailing performance, as it increases directional stability
5. Sailing warships are unlikely to have achieved speed-length ratios as great as 1.0 (V/SQRT(L))
6. If conclusion 5 is true, then many sailing reports are probably untrue

English Captain: Jonas Poole

Jonas Poole served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. He died in 1666. He was brother-in-law to William Penn, and served as his flag captain on the expedition to the West Indies in 1654 to 1655 (Pepys Diary). In 1652, he commanded the hired merchantman Mary Rose. From 1652 to 1653, he was temporarily in command of the 3rd Rate Leopard. From 1654 to 1655, he was flag captain to William Penn on the 2nd Rate Swiftsure. From 1656 to 1657, he commanded the 2nd Rate Unicorn. From 1658 to 1659, he commanded the 4th Rate Centurion. From 1659 to 1660, he commanded the 4th Rate Leopard (which took the name of the captured 3rd Rate). He continued in command after the Restoration. In 1661, he took command of the 3rd Rate Anne. In 1662, he commanded the Newcastle. In 1664, he commanded the Dover and London. In 1665, he commanded the 2nd Rate Vanguard at the Battle of Lowestoft. He cashiered after the battle, as it was thought that he had not fought hard enough and his ship had too little damage. Additional Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
3. Brian Lavery, The Ship of the Line, Vol.I, 1983.
4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Naval Officer: Sir John Mennes

Andrew found two online sources about Sir John Mennes. One is the Pepys Diary website, where there are two posts. The first by Pauline starts: "(1599-71). Comptroller of the Navy 1660-71. He entered the navy as a youth….During 1635-9 he was continuously at sea, attaining the rank of Vice-Admiral, and later (1642) Rear-Admiral. He served in the army in the Scottish war and commanded a troop of horse for the king in the Civil War…..and during the ’50s acted as a royalist agent abroad. At the Restoration he was commissioned to the 'Henry'". The other, by Vincent is more a collection of comments and links. That concludes: "MENNES (Minnes), Sir John (1591_1671), Comptroller of the Navy 1660_71, inappropriately promoted after an active naval career. Admiral, 1662. P regarded him as hopelessly ill-suited to naval administration. (03Oct65)". Apparently, there is also a Dictionary of National Biography entry for him, but I do not have access. I would summarize what Andrew wrote to me as:

• Recommended for naval command in 1626 by Sir Alexander Brett
• "Served in the Narrow Seas"
• In 1640, raised a troop of carabineers
• Knighted in 1642
• Governor of North Wales for Charles I in 1644
• Commanded the Royalist navy from 1645 to 1647
• Comptroller of the Navy in 1661
• Commander-in-Chief in the Downs in 1662
• Pepys considered him not fit for administrative duty

N.A.M. Rodger, in the Safeguard of the Sea, page 404, has a note that in 1630, Sir Henry Mervyn asked for John Mennes to be given command at sea, so that he could have someone who could read and write serving with him.

R.C. Anderson has some additional notes about his service:

• In 1626, captain of the French prize Esperance
• From 1628 to 1629, commanded the Adventure
• In 1630, commanded the 3rd Rate Garland
• In 1635, commanded the Lion and Vanguard
• In 1636 he commanded the 3rd Rate Convertine
• In 1637, he commanded the 2nd Rate Vanguard
• In 1638, he commanded the Nonsuch
• In 1639, commanded the 2nd Rate Victory
• In 1640, appointed to command of the St. George, but did not serve
• In 1642, he probably commanded the Rainbow and then the Victory as Rear-Admiral
• From 1645 to 1647, Admiral of the Royalist fleet
• From 1648 to 1650, Rear-Admiral in the 3rd Rate Swallow

English Captain: Sir David Murray

Andrew says that David Murray was a knight, so he was Sir David Murray. I was able to confirm that from Powell's book on the Civil War. Sir David Murray commanded the 2nd Rate Constant Reformation in 1642. He was listed as being assigned to the Summer Guard for 1642. Andrew says that the ship carried 40 guns and had a crew of 260 men at that date. Sir David Murray was only in command up to May 1642. He was dismissed from the service in October 1642, as he was a Royalist. Sadly, I have not been able to add much to what Andrew found. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

English Captain: Richard Lyons

Richard Lyons served in the Commonwealth navy. In 1653, he was flag captain of the 1st Rate Resolution (88 guns). He definitely commanded the Resolution in the summer of 1653. The usual sources only list the admirals, not the flag captains, so we can't be sure if Richard Lyons was at the Battle of Scheveningen. Anderson does not list him for the Gabbard, saying that John Bourne was captain. From 1653 to 1654, he commanded the Taunton. He was definitely the Taunton's captain in December 1653, when the Taunton was lying in the Thames. In 1656, he commanded the Taunton, but resigned from the service. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.

English Captain: William Beck

William Beck served in the Commonwealth navy. In 1652, he commanded the Galliot hoy. From 1652 until 1653, he commanded the Dutch prize Advantage (26 guns). He fought in the Battle of the Kentish Knock, and his ship went into Dover on 13 October for refitting. Later in the year, he fought in the Battle of Dungeness. In early 1653, he was probably at the Battle of Portland, although his name does not appear in any source after Dungeness. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

How to get a good feel for fighting in 1652

I would recommend procuring a copy of Privateers Bounty, downloading my scenarios from AngloDutchWarsBlog.com, and running them yourself. The English tactics under Robert Blake and Sir George Ayscue amounted to simply charging the Dutch. Dutch tactics under Maarten Tromp were little better, but Witte de With apparently fought the Battle of the Kentish Knock in an informal line. That was sufficient to save the Dutch from being overwhelmed by the big English ships, as the Dutch took fewer losses than you would predict, given the raw OOB's.

English Captain: Henry Teddiman (or Teddeman or Tiddeman)

Henry Teddiman (Pepys spells the name Teddeman, but usually spelled Tiddeman) served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. From 1652 to 1653, he commanded the hired merchantman Exchange (30 guns). Prior to that, in August 1652, he was lieutenant of the Sovereign, while she was fitting out. He fought in the Battle of Portland in early 1653, where he took the Dutch merchantman "Berck Howter Church of Saerdam" (250 tons), which he took into Dover. On 30 March, he and the Exchange were ordered to be part of a convoy to bring shot from Rye to London, along with the Old Warwick and the Gift. At the Battle of the Gabbard, he was in William Penn's (Admiral of the White) division. After the Restoration, he commanded the 2nd Rate Unicorn from 1664 to 1665. In 1665, his son, Henry Teddiman, Jr. was his lieutenant. Henry Teddiman fought in the battle of Lowestoft, and was in Sir George Ayscue's (Vice-Admiral of the Blue) division. He also fought in the Four Days Battle, where he was in Sir Thomas Teddiman's division (Vice-Admiral of the Blue). At the Four Days Battle, he made some grievous misbehavior and was sacked on the spot. Apparently, he was too timid in the battle. Andrew says that according to Pepys, Henry Teddiman was Thomas's cousin. 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. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
5. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.
6. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Part of my vision includes having a 3D model building tool for 17th Century ships

What we really need is a software tool that reduces warship 3D model building to "drag and drop". You would also have a set of prebuilt components that could have properties set to define dimensions at some level. I would want options to build models suitable for gaming or to build models suitable for high-quality illustrations. Right now, the only options are to use something like 3D Studio Max, Rhinocerous, or a lower end tool like Anim8or, and do a lot of work and take a lot of time (at least depending on your experience level). So far, the learning curve is winning, as I have made only minimal progress (despite a burning desire, held back by limited time). I hope to be able to procure at least an educational license for the two commercial products. Anim8or had be had for free. It is still quite capable, in experienced hands.

English Captain: John Cole

John Cole served in the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navies. In 1647, he commanded a hired merchantship, Mayflower (one of several of that name). He was in the Summer Guard for 1647. In 1650, he commanded the Peter of Waterford, another hired merchantship. The Peter of Waterford seems to have been a small vessel with a crew from between 40 and 50 men, from her position in Derrick's list. From 1652 to 1653, he commanded the hired merchantship John (of London) (34 guns). He went to the Sound with Andrew Ball in September 1652. During the Battle of Portland, his ship was in the Tilbury Hope, as he was not able to get men for the crew. A few weeks later, they were sent to the Downs. From there, the John and Elizabeth were sent to the coast of France to look for stragglers from the Dutch convoy, and captured what they found. Apparently, the Swan was sent along, as well. Anderson does not list him at Scheveningen, but he was obviously there, as John Cole was killed in the battle. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910
4. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
5. Charles Derrick, Memoirs of the Rise and Progress of the Royal Navy, 1806. (yes, I have a copy)
6. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

English Admiral: The Earl of Warwick (Robert Rich)

Robert Rich, the Earl of Warwick served in the Parliamentarian navy during the English Civil War, and in the navy before that. In 1642, he was Admiral, with his flag in the 2nd Rate James, in the Summer Guard. From 1642 to 1643, he flew his flag from the 2nd Rate Henrietta Marie, and was in the Winter Guard for 1642. In 1643, he was Lord High Admiral, with his flag on the 1st Rate Prince Royal (later renamed Resolution), in command of the Summer Guard. From 1644 to 1645, his flagship was the 2nd Rate James (50 guns and a crew of 260 men) again. He was Admiral of the Summer Guard in 1644. In May 1644, he arrived at Lyme with a squadron bringing supplies for the Parliamentarian forces. The Earl inspected the place, after the end of the siege. He was also present at Taunton in June. In 1648, he was still Lord High Admiral, with his flag on the 2nd Rate St. George. After the revolt in 1648, when many ships went over to the Royalists, he blockaded the Royalists at Hellevoetsluis. The Earl of Warwick was suspected of plotting treason, although it was actually William Batten who was doing so. He could not stay on, as he opposed the execution of King Charles I, and supported negotiations. He was replaced by the appointment of the Generals-at-Sea. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.
3. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

English Captain: Joseph Cubitt

Joseph Cubitt served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1653, he commanded the Dutch prize Tulip (32 guns). He fought at the Battle of Portland and the Battle of Scheveningen in her. He missed the Gabbard. He still commanded the Tulip in September 1653. From 1653 to 1664, he commanded the 4th Rate Portsmouth. By December 1653, he was in the Portsmouth (42 guns), cruising between the Isle of Wight and Cape Barfleur. He was appointed as Captain in 1661, in the Restoration navy. He probably died before 1673. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
4. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.

The Battle of the Downs might make a good Privateers Bounty scenario

The Dutch OOB would be a challenge, and we would have to invent a lot of data about Spanish ships, but the Battle of the Downs might make an interesting Privateers Bounty scenario. We could make more use of the archaic-looking merchant ship 3D model for the Dutch, in particular, as they had many small ships. The model has a beakhead and a high stern. One good thing to try, that I just thought of, would be to correlate the list of captains in C.R. Boxer's book about Tromp's journal in 1639 and the data in J. C. de Jonge's Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol. I, in the appendices.

English Captain: John Crowther

John Crowther served the Parliamentarian navy. From 1645 to 1647, he commanded the 3rd Rate Entrance and was Vice-Admiral, Ireland. He was in the Winter Guard for 1645, but is not listed as Vice-Admiral. He was in the Summer and Winter Guard for 1646, and is listed as Vice-Admiral. From 1647 to 1648, he commanded the 3rd Rate Bonaventure, and Anderson says that he was still Vice-Admiral, Ireland. He was in the Summer and Winter Guard for 1647, in Ireland (for summer 1647, he was in the Irish Guard and in the Irish Squadron for winter). In 1648, he was Vice-Admiral, Irish Guard, in the Summer Guard. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

One biography of Thomas Rainsborough

Andrew found this biography of Thomas Rainsborough, who was both the navy and army during the English Civil War at the Spartacus Educational website. The Blogger editor has captured the links in the text. It starts off: "Thomas Rainsborough, the son of Captain William Rainsborough, was born in about In 1610. A strong opponent of Charles I and after the outbreak of the Civil War he served in the parliamentary fleet. In 1643 he was given command of the Swallow, a 34 gun ship. Soon afterwards he helped General Thomas Fairfax in the defence of Hull.

Rainsborough joined the army and took part in the capture of Crowland in December, 1644. When the New Model Army was formed he was given command of a regiment. He fought at Naseby and participated in the sieges of Bridgwater, Sherborne and Bristol.

A radical in politics and religion he was elected to represent Droitwich in the House of Commons in 1646. In October 1647 Rainsborough took part in the Putney Debates. The debate was based on An Agreement of the People, a constitutional proposal drafted by the Levellers. Senior officers in the New Model Army such as Henry Ireton argued against the idea of universal suffrage. Rainsborough, was the highest ranking officer who supported the Levellers."

I had seen R. A. Barker's website in the last 6 months

Richard Barker has been a contributor to The Mariner's Mirror, and he has a website. I was reminded of him while I was searching for a Mariner's Mirror index online. Richard Barker has a partial index, which I think is still useful (since I don't have any index). I had been excited when I found a reference to an R. C. Anderson note in the 1946 volume (which I have a copy) about the English 2nd Rate Swiftsure in Dutch service. I was disappointed when I checked the reference, however. I know more new information than he published, although he did correct an error in Vreugdenhil's list of Dutch ships from 1938. There are two sources of information to which I have access. Jan Glete had given me a copy of papers he had found in France in the library and archives. There is also information in Brandt's biography of Michiel De Ruyter. At least from May to July 1672, Thomas Tobias commanded the Oudshoorn, which was the renamed Swiftsure. The Oudshoorn carried 76 guns and was 159ft x 39ft in Amsterdam feet. Her crew varied from 290 sailors and 70 soldiers to 316 sailors and 15 soldiers. Brandt says that she only carried 70 guns.

English Captain: Richard Badiley

Richard Badiley served in the Commonwealth navy. From 1649 to 1650, he commanded the 3rd Rate Happy Entrance (46 guns). In May, he was appointed commander in the Downs. In March 1650, he sailed from the Downs with Robert Blake for Portugal, in pursuit of Prince Rupert's squadron. In June, he was sent to Cadiz, with 8 ships, to resupply. In October, Blake sent Badiley home with most of the ships. From 1651 to 1653, he commanded the 2nd Rate Paragon, and from 1652 to 1653, he was commander-in-chief in the Mediterranean Sea. He was dispatched to the Mediterranean in late 1651. He fought in the Battle of Elba (Monte Christo) with mixed results. In March of 1653, his forces were engaged in the Battle of Livorno (Leghorn) with bad results. Henry Appleton's squadron was almost destroyed, and Badiley withdrew his squadron from the Mediterranean. He was exonerated, and stayed at sea. From 1653 to 1654, he was appointed Rear-Admiral with his flag on the 2nd Rate Vanguard. From 1654 to 1655, he was Rear-Admiral with his flag on the 2nd Rate Andrew. He returned to the Mediterranean with Robert Blake in the fall of 1654. In March 1655, his ship was the last one of out of Porto Farina, in an action with the Tunisians. In 1656, he was appointed Vice-Admiral of Blake's fleet in place of John Lawson, with his flag on the 1st Rate Resolution (86 guns). He returned to England with Edward Montagu in 1656, with the treasure from the Plate fleet. He did not serve after the Restoration, as he was too strong a Republican, but he was not arrested, either. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "The First Dutch War in the Mediterranean," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.49, No.4, November 1963.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.

My gaming philosophy

I don't believe in trying to find loopholes in rulesets so as to be able to "game the system". Instead, I believe that you should try to follow the spirit of how things actually worked/happened. I have generally applied that philosophy to miniatures gaming, but I would like to think that my solo gaming with Privateers Bounty is done in a similar spirit. I have tried to setup balanced scenarios for the Anglo-Dutch Wars that capture the balance of the real forces, despite having to scale them to the limitations of the game (about 82 total ships).

English Captain: William Kendall

William Kendall served the Commonwealth navy. From 1650 to 1652, he commanded the Mary flyboat (24 guns). From 1652 to 1654, he commanded the French prize Success (38 guns). He fought in the Battle of Portland in the Success. At the Battle of the Gabbard, he was in John Lawson's squadron. John Lawson was Admiral of the Blue. His ship was in the Thames during the Battle of Scheveningen. He was having trouble manning his ship in early August, and asked the Admiralty Council for help. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
4. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.

I really wish that we could fight battles with large numbers of ships

I'm not sure what it will take, but I would like to be able to fight the Battle of the Gabbard, the Battle of Scheveningen (Terheide), and the Battle of Lowestoft with actual numbers of ships (not limited to a total of 82). If we did have the ability to fight such battles, we would have to be prepared to mostly not be controlling individual ships. There is just to much to do for a single person to control 106 ships (as at the Gabbard). At best, you should be able to set policy for what to do, and then user-side AI should help. The main difficulty is that the present, state-of-the-art in PC's is insufficient to do all the work involved and still update the display.

English Captain: James Abelson

James Abelson served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. Fropm 1653 to 1656, he commanded the 5th Rate Mermaid (24 guns). In 1656, he commanded the 4th Rate Kent, but he resigned for some reason. He was back as a captain in 1660, when he commanded the Grantham. James Abelson was killed in action on 3 June 1665 (at the Battle of Lowestoft). Frank Fox must have his name wrong, as he lists "John Abelson", captain of the Guinea, as killed. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
3. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.

English Captain: Edward Popham

Edward Popham had served in the navy prior to the Civil War. In 1636, he was flag lieutenant to Sir John Pennington. In 1637, he was captain of the 6th Rate Fifth Whelp, when she sank off Guernsey. In 1639, he commanded the Unicorn (not the second rate, but a hired merchant ship). In 1640, he commanded the 3rd Rate Antelope. In 1648, he was assigned as captain of the Swallow, but she went over to the Royalists. In 1649, he commanded a string of ships, all for a short time: the 2nd Rate Charles, the 4th Rate Adventure, the 3rd Rate Entrance, and the 2nd Rate George. In 1650, he commanded the 2nd Rate Andrew and then the 1st Rate Resolution. In 1651, he was captain of the 2nd Rate James, when he died. He was appointed one of the three Generals-at-Sea. Of the three (Robert Blake, Richard Deane, and Edward Popham), Popham was the only experienced naval officer. In 1648, he was assigned to the Summer Guard, but did not actually serve at sea, according to Michael Baumber. Robert Blake was offering Popham encouragement in late 1649, as he was reluctant to serve. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.

The nasty thing may be that it is not possible, with state of the art technology, to do 17th Century battles with a game

The owner of a small game company that does a good bit of business in the more modern naval wargaming arena wrote about the issues involved with larger numbers of ships, even on his 3GHz+ machine with 2GB of RAM. The problem is that a game can't keep up with the necessary "frame rate" with more than something like 50 ships. I guess that Privateers Bounty being able to handle something like 82 ships is doing better than you might expect. There are several battles (the Battle of the Gabbard and the Battle of Scheveningen, as well as the Battle of Lowestoft) where there were more than 200 ships present. That is clearly beyond the realm of possibility, given where we currently are, with technology. To do even what Privateers Bounty does, it is necessary to use low-vertex count models that rely upon their skins more than on the detail in the model. I suspect that the situation will get better, but we are a ways off from being able to do the large battles. I have wondered if the reduced speed in age of sail combat might help the size issue, but I am not sure that it is true. The raw numbers seem to be an issue, and the amount of calculations involved, regardless of the movement.

English Captain: William Batten

William Batten served in the navy under Charles I, in the Parliamentarian navy, in the Royalist naval forces, and in the Restoration navy. We first know of him in 1625, when he commanded the Captain Salutation privateer. In 1628, he probably commanded the 6th Whelp. In 1638, he commanded the hired merchantman Confidence. In 1642, he flew his flag on the 2nd Rate St. George, as Vice-Admiral. From 1642 to 1643, he flew his flag on the 2nd Rate Rainbow as Vice-Admiral of the Summer Guard and the Winter Guard in 1642. Later in 1643, he flagship was the 2nd Rate St. Andrewas Vice-Admiral of the Summer Guard. In 1644, his flagship was the 2nd Rate Constant Reformation (46 guns) in the Summer Guard and Winter Guard. From 1645 to 1646, he was back in the St. Andrew, still as Vice-Admiral. He commanded as squadron of 11 ships and 2 ketches in the 1645 Summer Guard. He in fact was still in the St. Andrew in the Summer Guard of 1646. From 1646 to 1647, he flew his flag from the 3rd Rate Leopard. He was in the Winter Guard for 1646 in the Leopard. In 1647, he was back in the St. Andrew as Vice-Admiral of the Summer Guard. In 1648, he went over to the Royalists with his flag on the 4th Rate Constant Warwick as Rear-Admiral. After the Restoration in 1660, he became Surveyor of the Navy. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

I have used my Christmas gifts cards to buy books

I have greatly expanded my game programming-related library in the last week. I have also been scouting out about discounted 3D modeling tools. The key point is that if you are a student or teacher, you can get an educational discount for 3D Studio Max (especially if you shop around and can live with a one year license) and Rhinocerous ("Rhino").

English Captain: Francis Kirby

We have a limited amount of information about Francis Kirby. He served the Commonwealth navy. From 1650 to 1651, he commanded the Peter (10 guns). From 1652 to 1654, he commanded the Dutch prize Bear (46 guns and a crew of 200 men). He was in James Peacock's division at the Battle of the Gabbard. James Peacock was Vice-Admiral of the Red. He very likely fought in the Battle of Scheveningen, as well. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
4. J. J. Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy, 2nd Ed., 1987.

Egbert Meuwssen Kortenaer in the First Anglo-Dutch War

Egbert Meuwssen Kortenaer started the First Anglo-Dutch War as "Stuurman" for Tromp's flagship, the Brederode (54 guns). The flag captain was Abel Roelants. I had originally thought that Ebert Meuwssen Kortenaer might have commanded the Brederode at the Battle of the Kentish Knock, but I now believe that her commander in the battle was Abel Roelants. By May 1653, Abel Roelants was given command of Witte de With's old flagship, the Prinses Louise (36 guns). He also functioned as a Rear-Admiral (Schout-bij-Nacht), and he commanded a division. In at least one reference, he was called "Vader Abel". When Abel Roelants was promoted, Egbert Meuwssen Kortenaer becaome Tromp's flag captain. When Tromp was killed at Scheveningen, Captain Kortenaer guided the ship and Tromp's squadron through the remainder of the battle. Egbert Meuwssen Kortenaer was a favorite of people in high places, and by October 1653, he was a squadron commander of 16 ships, with Gideon de Wildt as his Vice-Admiral and Abel Roelants as Schout-bij-Nacht. Egbert Kortenaer also commanded his own ship, the Brederode.

English Captain: Anthony Archer

Anthony Archer served the Commonwealth navy. In 1651, he commanded the hired mechantship, the Merchant frigate (this was a 24 gun vessel of 200 tons). In 1652, he commanded the 6th Rate Paradox. From 1653 to 1654, he commanded the Fortune. From 1654 to 1656, he commanded the Pelican prize (perhaps the Dutch Vergulde Pelicaen). From 1657 to the Restoration in 1660, he commanded the 5th Rate Forester. In 1665, he commanded the hired merchantman Good Hope (34 guns), but while escorting a convoy with naval stored from Hamburg on May 20th, he lead them straight into the Dutch fleet. He had been drunk at the time he and his convoy were captured. That incident seems to have ended his career in the Restoration navy. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

We are taking another run at contacting Akella

Violet, builder and maintainer of KentishKnock.com, which is a major outlet for my writings and artwork, suggested that she could contact Akella for me, since they are also in Moscow. If they would actually be interested in allowing me and associates to modify Privateers Bounty for use in 17th Naval Warfare, it would be a challenge, as I am already overcommitted. It is such an important opportunity, however, it would force me to reorder my priorities, if Akella was interested. I suspect that I may lack credibility from a game programming perspective, to get the opportunity. Despite my background of 25 years in software development and 35 years around the edges of gaming, that might not be enough, in itself, to give them confidence.