English Captain: Richard Beach

Richard Beach served in both the Royalist naval forces and the Restoration navy. In 1651, he commanded the Michael (24 guns), and was captured. In 1654, he commanded the Royal James (22+ guns), and was captured again. From 1657 to 1658, he again was a Royalist privateer and was captured at the end of that period. He was knighted for his services, and in 1661, he was given command of the Crown. In 1663, he was given command of the Leopard. He fought at the Four Days Battle, in command of the Leopard, while in Prince Rupert's division (Sir Thomas Allin was Rupert's flag captain). In 1666, he commanded the Fairfax at the St. James's Day Battle, where he was in the General's division. In 1667, he commanded the Greenwich. In 1669, he was given command of the Hampshire. In 1672, he was given command of the Monmouth. In 1673, he served as Rear-Admiral of the Blue, with his flag on the Monmouth. On 13 March 1683, he was given command of the Royal James. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
4. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.