English captain: the second Robert Clarke

There were two Robert Clarkes who served in the navy prior to the Restoration. The second Robert Clarke commanded the Charles frigate, a hired merchantman, from 1645 to 1647. In the 1645 Summer Guard, he was in the Irish Guard. The record is confusing, as the first Robert Clarke was serving at the same time, and commanded other ships. The second Robert Clarke commanded the 6th Rate Martin (12 guns and a crew of 50 men) in February 1652. The record is unclear as to whether Robert Clarke was still in command of the Martin on 19 May 1652. The Martin was definitely present in the opening action of the First Anglo-Dutch War, off Dover. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
3. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.