Thomas Allin and the Dutch Smyrna fleet in December 1664

Sir Thomas Allin commanded a small squadron of ships operating in the Mediterranean Sea nad near Tangier. On 19 December 1664, they sighted 12-14 ships which proved to be the Dutch. The English cut their cables to try to get to them, but 6 reached the Puercas rocks on the south side of Cadiz, at the entrance. Captain Wager, in the Diamond, almost ran aground. Thomas Allin caught one of the larger Dutch ships. Other captains and ships were Clarke in the Antelope and Captain Seale in the Milford. Captain Mohun was in the Oxford. There were also the famous former Royalist privateer Richard Beach in the Leopard and Captain Terne was in the Portsmouth. Captain Allin took possession of a large Dutch ship, the King Solomon. Captain Poole's ship, the Advice took damage and was driven to the leeward. They received word from a Venetian that Captain Utber and the Essex had arrived at Livorno on 26 November. Captain Clarke had the Maria Sanctus and a pink that he had taken. They sent the Abraham's Sacrifice with letters to England. On Christmas day, they heard that the Dover had gone in to Tangier. Allin's Journal is rather sketchy about events, and I have only summarized the events in December.