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.