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.