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William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
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J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
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Monday, February 28, 2005
English Captain: John Tyrrell
Sunday, February 27, 2005
English Captain: William Younger
- R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
- J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
English Captain: John Hayward
- R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
- R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- Julian S. Corbett, “A Note on the Drawings in the Possession of The Earl of Dartmouth Illustrating The Battle of Solebay May 28, 1672 and The Battle of the Texel August 11, 1673”, 1908.
- Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
- Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
- 22 J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
Friday, February 25, 2005
English Captain and Admiral: Sir Thomas Allin
During the English Civil War, Thomas Allin served in the King's naval forces. From 1644-1647, commanding ships from those fitted out for the Royalists by Sir Nicholas Crisp. In 1648, he served with the Royalists. From 1648-1649, he commanded the Royalist warship Charles, which was captured. In 1650, he was captain of the Royalist Convertine (the ship built as the Destiny by Sir Walter Raleigh, and eventually sold in Portugal). He was with Prince Rupert on his voyage to inflict damage on the Commonwealth trade. At this time, he was flag captain to the Vice Admiral. Later in 1650, he commanded the Charles Prize with the Royalists.
In 1660, he was appointed a captain in the Restoration navy of King Charles II. In 1660, he commanded the Dover. In 1661, he commanded the Plymouth. Later in 1661, he commanded the Foresight. In 1662, he commanded the 3rd Rate Lion. In 1663, he commanded the 2nd Rate Rainbow. Later in 1663, he was in the St. Andrew. He was commander-in-chief in the Downs, as he was in early 1664. In 1664, he commanded the Plymouth. He was Vice-Admiral of a fleet in the Channel under the command of the Earl of Sandwich. In December 1664, while he commanded the Mediterranean squadron, he caught the Dutch Smyrna convoy off Cadiz, and fought a sharp action with them. He commanded the Plymouth. At various times during this period, he was given an independent fleet to command on special operations. On 26 March 1678, the King appointed him to fly his flag on the 1st Rate Royal James. He died in the fall of 1685 at the age of 74.
Sources:- R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.I 1660-1666, 1939.
- R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.II 1667-1678, 1940.
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
- J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
English Captain: John Pointz
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
- J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
English Captain: William Godfrey
- R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
- J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
Monday, February 21, 2005
The Battle of Öland on 1 June 1676
English Captain: James Cadman
- R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
- J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
English Captain: Henry Fenn
- R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
- J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
The attack on Teneriffe in April 1657
The Spanish Plate fleet was known to have anchored at Teneriffe, and Robert Blake intended to capture it there. The English Mediterranean force sailed for Teneriffe and arrived there on 18 April 1657. Saturday was a foggy day, so the attack was delayed to be delayed until the 20th. In the end, they attacked on Monday morning.
There was a strained council of war on board Blake's flagship, and he selected 12 ships to attack. He hoped to repeat the successful assault on Porto Farina. The ships chosen were the Speaker (Richard Stayner), Lyme (John Stokes), Langport (John Coppin), Newbury (Robert Blake, the younger), Bridgwater (Anthony Earning), Plymouth (uncertain captain), Worcester (Robert Nixon), Centurion (Anthony Spatchurst), Winsby (Joseph Ames), Newcastle (Edmund Curtis), Foresight (Peter Mootham), and Maidstone (perhaps Thomas Adams). In addition, the Nantwich (uncertain captain) joined late, along with the Plymouth. They had missed the council of war.
The town of Santa Cruz lay behind the roadstead and the shore was lined with forts and gun emplacements. There was a long mole for unloading ships, and there was a natural barrier behind which ships could safely shelter. The English believed that there were 16 ships in total, with 7 large galleaons being the prize. The actual plate fleet consisted of two warships and nine armed merchantmen, so there must have been five other ships, besides.
There was a semicircle of 10 ships in the lower bay, opposite Santa Cruz. The six largest ships were anchored at the entrance. Blake lead the attack on the forts while Richard Stayner lead the attack on the 6 large galleons. All the Spanish ships were taken, and Blake ordered the prized be burnt, as they were under heavy fire from the forts. Stayner's ship, the Speaker, was disabled. The English lost 40 men killed and 110 wounded. The offshore wind which made the attack so perilous aided the English escape back to Cadiz.
Sources:- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.
- William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
Friday, February 18, 2005
More about David Swerius (Sweers)
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
English Captain: John Lloyd
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
- J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
English Captain: Peter Mootham
- R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.
- Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
- J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
Monday, February 14, 2005
English Captain: Anthony Earning
- R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
The Dutch ship: Spiegel
The Spiegel was built in 1663, at Amsterdam, for the Admiralty of Amsterdam. She was a three-decked ship, although the uppermost deck was not completely armed. Her dimensions were 156ft x 41ft x 15ft.
When she was brand new, she was Michiel De Ruyter's flagship for his operations against the English in 1664. Her crew was nominally 315 men.
In June 1666, she was Vice-Admiral Abraham van der Hulst's flagship at the Four Days Battle. Captain Pieter Thomasz. de Sitter was his flag captain. In that battle, she carried 8-brass 24pdr, 16-iron 18pdr, 12-brass 12pdr, 12-iron 12pdr, 16-brass 6pdr, and 4-6pdr klokwijs guns. Her crew was 350 sailors and 47 land soldiers. She lost 35 killed, including Admiral van der Hulst, and had 66 wounded.
Dirck Schey commanded the Spiegel in the Raid on Chatham in May 1667 as well as in July 1667. Her crew for that operation was 325 sailors and 50 land soldiers. She carried 70 guns during that period. Dirck Schey still commanded the Spiegel in 1671, when she had a crew of 275 sailors and 60 land soldiers.
Jacob van Meeuwen commanded the Spiegel at the Schooneveld battles in 1673. Her crew was nominally 350 men. He also commanded her at the Battle of the Texel in August 1673, when she had a crew of 314 sailors and 12 land soldiers. In 1673, her armament was 70 guns.
In June 1674, the Spiegel was commanded by Engel De Ruyter. At that date, her crew was 296 sailors and 83 land soldiers.
In July 1675, Niklaas Verschuur commanded the Spiegel. Her crew was 360 men.
In 1676, Gilles Schey commanded the Spiegel. That is the last mention of the ship.
Sources:- James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700", 2004.
- H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
The East India Merchant (in 1666)
- H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.
- Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
- Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
Friday, February 11, 2005
Blake's deployment to the Mediterranean Sea in 1654 (Updated)
- George, 60 guns Robert Blake, Admiral, John Stoakes, flag captain
- Andrew, 54 guns Richard Badiley, Vice-Admiral
- Unicorn, 54 guns Joseph Jordan, Rear-Admiral
- Langport, 50 guns Roger Cuttance
- Hampshire, 34 guns Robert Blake, the younger
- Bridgewater, 50 guns Anthony Earning
- Foresight, 36 guns Peter Mootham
- Worcester, 46 guns William Hill
- Plymouth, 50 guns Richard Stayner
- Kentish, 40 guns Edward Witteridge
- Diamond, 36 guns John Harman
- Taunton, 36 guns Thomas Foules (or Foulis) <--
- Ruby, 36 guns Edmund Curtis
- Newcastle, 40 guns Nathaniel Cobham
- Amity, 30 guns Henry Packe
- Mermaid, 22 guns James Abelson
- Pearl, 22 guns Benjamin Sacheverell
- Maidstone, 32 guns Thomas Adams
- Princess Maria, 34 guns John Lloyd
- Elias, 32 guns John Symonds
Thursday, February 10, 2005
English captain: the second Robert Clarke
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
- J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
English Captain: Richard Beach
- R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
- Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Thomas Allin and the Dutch Smyrna fleet in December 1664
Monday, February 07, 2005
English Captain: Sir John Chicheley
- R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
- Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
- Brian Lavery, The Ship of the Line, Vol.I, 1983.
- J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Ships cruising between the Lizard and the Scilly Isles on 17 December 1653
- 4th Rate Bristol, 50 guns crew 200 men Captain Roger Martin
- 4th Rate Assistance, 40 guns crew 180 men Captain William Crispin
- 4th Rate Hampshire, 40 guns crew 180 men Captain Robert Blake (the younger)
- Dutch prize Elias, 36 guns crew 140 men Captain John Best
- Prize Hopewell pink, 20 guns
- 4th Rate Nonsuch, 40 guns crew 170 men Captain Thomas Penrose
- R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
- C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
An Obscure Source: Corbett's small book about the Earl of Dartmouth's drawings
Friday, February 04, 2005
English Captain: Peter Foote (or Foot)
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
- Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
- David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
- J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
English Captain: William Rouse
- R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
English Captain: Thomas Graves
Thomas Graves (1) was born 6 June 1605 at Ratcliff, England, near London (or at Stepney, England), was baptized 16 June 1605 at Stepney, part of the city of London, and died 31 July 1653 (31st day, 5th month, 1653, old style calendar) in a sea battle with the Dutch in the English Channel. (A number of sources say he died in Charlestown, MA, but this definitely appears incorrect; e.g., Tracy Genealogy, p. 177, and NEHGS Register.) His will was dated 13 June 1652 and probated 1 Oct. 1653.R.C. Anderson has very little about Thomas Graves in the captain's list. He only says that he commanded the President from 1652 to 1653, and that he was on the Andrew in 1653, when he was killed. He also has a problem in that he sometimes calls him William Graves. Thomas Graves commanded the President at the Battle of the Kentish Knock, in 1652. He lists him as Thomas Graves, in command of the President, at the Battle of Portland. At the Battle of the Gabbard, he was Rear-Admiral of the White, with his flag on the Andrew (56 guns). He also fought at the Battle of Scheveningen, where he was killed. Mr. Atkinson, in Vol.VI, editor of The First Dutch War, notes the name problem, as well. Sources:
- R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
- R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
- C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.