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.