English Captain: Lawrence Wright

Lawrence Wright served in the Restoration navy, and continued into the new regime, serving in the subsequent wars: the War of the English Succession, the War of the League of Augsburg, and the War of the Spanish Successsion. Andrew says that he served from 1665 until 1713, when he was an "extra commissioner" on the navy board. He had a long career as a lieutenant, before he was finally promoted to captain. He was appointed, in 1665, by the Duke of Albermarle, as lieutenant of the hired merchantman Baltimore. In 1666, he was lieutenant on the Royal Charles. In 1667, he was lieutenant on the Constant Warwick. In 1668, he was lieutenant on the Old James, the Victory, and the Sovereign. In 1670, he was appointed as lieutenant of the Newcastle. In 1672, he was lieutenant of the Mary and Prince. Later in 1672, he was appointed captain of the Nonsuch. In April 1673, he was with a squadron operating off the coast of Spain. On 28 January 1675, the King appointed him captain of the Phoenix. The next entry seems to have been misinterpreted. I would guess that instead of a 2, it was a 7 on the handwritten document. The entry probably should read that he was appointed to command the Antelope on 7 January 1677. On 27 March 1678, he was appointed second captain of the Charles. On 30 November 1678, he was appointed to command the guardship Unicorn at Chatham. On 27 May 1679, the commissioners appointed him to command the Reserve. Then on 19 June 1682, he was appointed to the Royal yacht Mary. On 29 July, he was switched to the John and Alexander. Then, just a short while later, on 8 August, he took command of the Algerine prize Golden Horse. On 27 April 1685, the King appointed him to command the Mary yacht, again. This time, he was in command for almost two years. Finally, on 6 March 1687, he was switched to the Foresight. Then on 12 Jujly 1687, he took command of the Assistance. In 1689 and 1690, he commanded the 3rd Rate Mary (62 guns). He sailed for Barbadoes in March 1690. He escorted as large convoy. Once there, he lead the attack to capture St. Kitts, then in French hands. They also took St. Eustatius, but had to leave St. Christopher due to sickness among the troops. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.

2. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.

3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English naval officer: Sir Richard Haddock

Sir Richard Haddock served in the Restoration navy and beyond. Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle appointed him captain of the 4th Rate Portland in 1666. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle where he was assigned to Sir Jeremy Smith's division. In 1672, he was appointed as captain of the Earl of Sandwich's flagship, the Royal James (100 guns). He fought at the Battle of Solebay, where he was wounded by a Dutch sharpshooter, probably from Van Ghent's ship. He was below being treated at the time that the Dutch fireship attacked. Eventually, the Royal James burnt to the waterline. The Earl was drowned by the indiscipline of his men, when he was being embarked on a boat. Panicked men jumped into the boat until it was swamped, and the Earl was drowned. Sir Richard Haddock and his lieutenant Thomas Mayo were among the half-dozen survivors. This was another sad example of the collapse of morale and discipline that plagued the the navy during this period. The loss of the Royal Prince at the Four Days' Battle was another example. After Solebay, Sir Richard Haddock was appointed to command the Lion. In 1673, he was appointed to command the Royal Charles, Prince Rupert's flagship. He commanded the Royal Charles and Sovereign in the first and second Schooneveld battles in May-June 1673. He acted as Prince Rupert's flag captain. On 1 June 1682, the commissioners appointed him to command the new 2nd Rate Duke (90 guns). In 1690, Admiral Haddock took part in the expedition to subdue Cork. The expedition landed their troops on September 23rd. The city surrendered 6 days later. After the Battle of Beachy Head, Sir Richard Haddock held joint command of the fleet with Henry Killebrew and Sir John Ashby. They were succeeded by Edward Russell in December 1691. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

I have a post about Richard Haddock that is at work, so I will have to post it in the morning

Blogger went down for a good deal of the day, and I ended up saving posts in Word documents to post later. I have a post about Richard Haddock that tries to augment what Andrew was able to find about the brave Richard Haddock. He was the Earl of Sandwich's flag captain at Solebay, and was one of 6 survivors when the Royal James burnt to the waterline (one source says she blew up).

William Penn's fleet to the Caribbean in 1654-1655

William Penn and his fleet set sail on Christmas Day in 1654 from Spithead, bound for the Caribbean. The fleet consisted of 38 ships, but 20 were transports, and we don't know their names. This is the fleet:

1. 2nd Rate Swiftsure, 60 guns 350 sailors and 30 soldiers William Penn, "General" and Jonas Poole flag captain
2. 2nd Rate Paragon, 54 guns 300 sailors and 30 soldiers William Goodson, Vice-Admiral
3. 3rd Rate Torrington, 54 guns 280 sailors and 30 soldiers George Dakins, Rear-Admiral
4. 3rd Rate Martson Moor, 54 guns 280 sailors and 30 soldiers Edward Blagg
5. 3rd Rate Gloucester, 54 guns 280 sailors and 30 soldiers Benjamin Blake
6. 3rd Rate Lion, 44 guns 230 sailors and 30 soldiers John Lambert
7. 3rd Rate Mathias, 44 guns 200 sailors and 30 soldiers John White
8. 3rd Rate Indian, 44 guns 220 sailors and 30 soldiers James Terry
9. 4th Rate Bear, 36 guns 150 sailors and 30 soldiers Francis Kirby
10. 4th Rate Laurel, 40 guns 160 sailors and 30 soldiers William Crispin
11. 4th Rate Portland, 40 guns 160 sailors and 30 soldiers Richard Newberry
12. 4th Rate Dover, 40 guns 160 sailors and 30 soldiers Robert Sanders
13. 4th Rate Great Charity, 36 guns 150 sailors Leonard Harris
14. 4th Rate Heartsease, 30 guns 70 sailors and 160 soldiers Thomas Wright
15. 4th Rate Discovery, 30 guns 70 sailors and 160 soldiers Thomas Wills
16. 4th Rate Convertine, 30 guns 75 sailors and 200 soldiers John Hayward
17. 4th Rate Katherine, 30 guns 70 sailors and 200 soldiers Willoughby Hannam
18. 20 ships for transports with 352 guns 1,145 sailors, 1,830 soldiers, and 38 horses
19. 6th Rate Martin, 12 guns 60 sailors William Vesey
20. 4 small craft

English Captain: John Ashby

John Ashby served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he was a lieutenant on the 4th Rate Adventure. In 1667, he was lieutenant on the Princess. On 4 October 1668, he was appointed captain of the Deptford ketch. In 1670, he was appointed to command the 4th Rate Advice. In 1671, he commanded the 2nd Rate Rainbow. In 1672, he commanded the 5th Rate Pearl. In 1673, Prince Rupert appointed him to command the Lion. On 12 September 1674, appointed him to command the Rose. On 26 March 1678, the King appointed him to command the Dunkirk.The commissioners appointed him to command the Constant Warwick on 8 April 1681. On 16 July, they moved him to the Mary Rose. In 1685, the King appointed him to command the Montagu. He was appointed to command the Henrietta guardship on 27 September 1685. He took command of the Mordaunt on 6 March 1687 (they called it 1686 in the old style). On 15 September 1688, he was appointed to command the Defiance. I will need to consult William Laird Clowes, as John Ashby doesn't appear in the sources I have along with me. Sources:

1. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain and Admiral: Christopher Myngs

Christopher Myngs served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. From 1653 to 1655, he commanded the 4th Rate Elizabeth (36 guns). In November 1653, he helped transport the English ambassador to Göteborg. From 1655 to 1659, he commanded the Marston Moor and may have been flag captain from 1656 to 1657. After the Restoration, he became captain of the Centurion in 1662. In 1663, he commanded the Gloucester, Portland, and Royal Oak. In 1665, he commanded the Triumph and Fairfax. In 1664, he was Vice-Admiral under the command of Prince Rupert. In 1665, he was Vice-Admiral of the White and Blue. He was Vice-Admiral of the White and fought at the Battle of Lowestoft, in Prince Rupert's squadron. In 1666, he flew his flag as Vice-Admiral of the White on the 2nd Rate Victory. he commanded the Van in Prince Rupert's squadron at the Four Days Battle, where he was mortally wounded and died a week later. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

2. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.

3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

The East Indiaman London

The East Indiaman London served in both the First and Second Anglo-Dutch Wars. Her burden was 601 tons and her dimensions were 99ft-3in on the keel and 33ft-9in beam. Frank Fox doesn't list the depth. She had 22 gun ports on the lower deck (11 per side). In the First Anglo-Dutch War, she may have fought at Plymouth, and definitely fought at the Gabbard and Scheveningen. At the Kentish Knock, she carried 40 guns. She was hired for service in the second war in April 1666, but was not ready for service until after the Four Days' Battle. She fought at the St. James's Day Battle, where she was heavily damaged and her captain William Martin was killed. She refitted at Harwich and was with the fleet for the "minor action" of 31 August. She was returned to the East India company in November. She was also involved, as the flagship of the East India Company's fleet in the debacle off Cape Masulipatam in August 1673. She carried 46 guns in 1666:

• own ship's guns: 3-culverins, 19-demi-culverins, and 2-saker cutts
• Navy guns: 12-12pdr, 6-demi-culverins, and 4-sakers

Source:

1. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).

The Duke of York's seconds at the Battle of Solebay

The Duke of York was well-served by his seconds at the Battle of Solebay. They were Thomas Butler, the Earl of Ossory, and Sir Robert Holmes. The Earl was captain of the 2nd Rate Victory (80 guns) and Sir Robert Holmes commanded the 2nd Rate St. Michael (90 guns). The Duke of York's ship captains were two men: Sir John Cox, first captain, and Sir John Narborough, second captain. The Duke's ship, the Prince was so badly shot up that he shifted his flag to the St. Michael, with Sir John Narborough commanding the Prince, after Sir John Cox was killed early in the battle. Julian Corbett calls the Earl of Ossory "his faithful second in the Victory". The Victory was eventually forced to fall out of line, and the 3rd Rate Fairfax took its place in support of the Duke. Meanwhile, the St. Michael severely damaged the Stavoren, which was taken by the Greenwich. Soon, the Duke had to shift his flag again, this time to Sir Edward Spragge's London, which had come up in support of the Duke. Source:

1. 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.

English Captain: William Booth

William Booth served in the Restoration navy, until he went over to James II's side, following The Glorious Revolution in 1688. He fled to France in 1689. Prince Rupert appointed William Booth to command the Pearl fireship in 1673. On 30 June 1673, the King appointed him to command the Eagle fireship. The King later appointed him to command the 5th Rate Richmond. This was on 13 May 1678. Later in 1678, the King appointed him to command the 4th Rate Adventure. On 14 April 1683, the Commissioners appointed William Booth to command the 3rd Rate Grafton (70 guns). King James II appointed him to command the 3rd Rate Pendennis (70 guns). This was on 25 September 1688. Andrew says that he had served in the Mediterranean against the Algerine pirates. By 1689, he had been appointed commissioner. An unsuccessful plot in 1689 to aid James II was his downfall, and he had to go into exile in France.

English Captain: William Davis

There were two William Davies in Pepys' list, who served in the Restoration navy. This one was probably more properly called "William Davis". This is about the second one in Pepys' list. He apparently was a captain in 1665 and died before 1689. He apparently commanded the hired merchant ship George of Bristol in 1665. This was a very small hired ship with 20 guns and a crew of 110 men. William Davies or Davis commanded the George of Bristol from 14 March 1665 until 22 January 1666, when she was wrecked in bad weather. In early June 1665, he was in the Bristol Channel, engaged in commerce protection. There was no loss of life in the wreck. In 1666, he commanded the Guinea frigate, although he does not appear in any of Frank Fox's lists for 1666. Sources:

1. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

2. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).

3. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.

4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

The Fountain, an Algerine prize

I was interested to read about the 5th Rate prize Fountain, which had been taken from the Algerines. The dimensions, English style, were: 88ft x 28ft-2in x 11ft-6in. The English armament was 36 guns: 20-12pdr, 2-demi-culverins (9pdr), and 14-6pdr. The crew, at the Four Days Battle, consisted of 130 men. Pepys says that the ship was taken in 1664. Her draft was 14ft. Her burden was 371 tons. Her peacetime crew was 100 men. Her 1670's nominal war complement for service abroad was 115 men. In home waters, the establishment gave her 150 men. Her armament in the latter 1660's and early 1670's was 34 guns in wartime at home and 30 guns in peacetime or in wartime when deployed abroad. She was converted to a fireship in 1672.

English Captain: Thomas Darcy

Thomas Darcy served in the Restoration navy. In 1662, he was lieutenant of the Monk. In 1663, he was appointed as lieutenant of the 4th Rate Kent. In 1664, he was appointed lieutenant of the 3rd Rate Revenge. Later in 1664, he was promoted and given command of the 5th Rate Pembroke (28 guns and a crew of 145 men). He fought at he Battle of Lowestoft, where he was assigned to the Duke of York's division. He In 1665 he was given command of the Mary Rose (48 guns and a crew of 190 men). He was with the English fleet at Bergen, in August 1665, but was one of 7 ships separated by bad weather, so he was not engaged during the debacle. He fought in the Four Days' Battle in June 1666, where he was assigned to Sir Edward Spragge's division. On 25 July, he fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was assigned to Richard Utber's division. Pepys says that in 1667, he assumed command of the 5th Rate Dartmouth. However, a note in Sir Thomas Allin's journal indicates that he still commanded the Mary Rose in June 1668, when he operated under the command of Sir Thomas Allin in the Western Mediterranean Sea. Perhaps Anderson's note is in error, as in July 1669, Thomas Darcy was clearly in command of the Dartmouth, under Sir Thomas Allin's command. In 1672, he was given command of the 3rd Rate Montagu (60 guns). In August of 1672, he was assigned to Sir John Harman's division. In 1673, he commanded the 2nd Rate St. George. He fought at the Battle of the Texel on 11 August 1673, where he was Sir Edward Spragge's flag captain. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.

2. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.II 1667-1678, 1940.
3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Andrew found some more about Robert Kirby

Andrew found that Robert Kirby was in command of the Nonsuch ketch as early as October 1650, while R.C. Anderson only lists him from 1651.

English Captain: John King

John King served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. From 1651 to 1652, he commanded the Nonsuch ketch. In 1653, he commanded the 5th Rate Mermaid (26 guns). He fought at the Battle of the Gabbard, where he was assigned to the Generals' division. He also probably fought at the Battle of Scheveningen. After the Restoration, he commanded the Giles ketch in 1661. Later in 1661, he was assigned to command the Hawk ketch. In 1663, he commanded the Hind ketch. In 1664, he was assigned to command the Mermaid again. Finally, he was assigned to command the 4th Rate Diamond (46 guns). He fought at the Battle of Lowestoft, where he was assigned to Sir John Lawson's division. He fought at the Four Days' Battle in June 1666, where he was assigned to Prince Rupert's division. He also fought in the St. James's Day Battle where he was in Sir Joseph Jordan's division. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.

2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Robert Hackwell

Robert Hackwell serve in the Commonwealth navy. From 1649 to 1650, he commanded the 3rd Rate Bonaventure. Later in 1650, he commanded the 2nd Rate Paragon. It seems likely that he took part in the pursuit of Prince Rupert, as the Bonaventure was part of Blake's squadron, but he had been relieved by Captain Harris by late March 1650. Andrew pointed out an online source that says:

Robert HACKWELL, vestryman of 1643, was a Captain in the East India Company's service and later in the Royal Navy. In 1623 he was the master of the 'Rose'

Another source suggests that he was the master of the ship Abigail in 1635, on a voyage to America with passengers. Published Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

2. J. R. Powell, Ed., The Letters of Robert Blake, 1937.

English Captain: William Wildey

William Wildey served in the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navies. In 1646, he commanded the hired merchantman Charles, which was kept ready, but not used. Powell calls him "Weldy" in the list of ships held in reserve. In 1649, he commanded the 2nd Rate Charles. Finally, in 1650, he was flag captain and commanded the 1st Rate Resolution. In August 1650, he was present at the pursuit of Prince Rupert. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

2. J. R. Powell, Ed., The Letters of Robert Blake, 1937.

3. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

English Captain: Nicholas Foster

Nicholas Foster (or Forster) served in the Commonwealth navy. In 1653, he commanded the hired merchantman Golden Fleece (44 guns). He fought in the Battle of the Gabbard, where he was assigned to the General's division. He very likely fought at the Battle of Scheveningen, as well. From 1653 to 1655, he commanded the 4th Rate Phoenix. In Vol. I of The First Dutch War, Richard Gibson described meeting Nicholas Foster in Plymouth, in 1659. Nicholas Foster described his taking a Dutch merchant ship in March 1654, and talking with him. Nicholas Foster knew Dutch and had served in the Dutch service in the East Indies. He regretted that England and the Netherlands had gone to war. In December 1653, he had gone to Göteborg, under the command of Christopher Myngs, to deliver the English ambassador. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.

2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

3. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.

4. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.

5. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

English Captain: Francis Penrose

Francis Penrose served in the Parliamentarian navy. From 1647 to 1648, he commanded the 5th Rate Hector. He served in the Winter Guard for 1647. In 1648, he also commanded the Satisfaction and the Fellowship. He commanded the Satisfaction in the Irish Guard for 1648. In the Winter Guard for 1648, he commanded the 4th Rate Fellowship. In 1649, he commanded the Mary Rose (26 guns). The Mary Rose was wrecked in 1650, off of Flanders. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

2. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.

3. J. J. Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy, 2nd Ed., 1987.

4. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

I expect that you will be able to see "photographs" of 17th Century ships

I have been doing photoart of early 20th Century warships for about 3 weeks. I expect that you will be able see photoart of ships from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Anglo-Dutch Wars before too long. I have not really done a survey, yet, of what photographic material that is available. The guys at Artitec already have some photoart on their site, showing the Hollandia (80 guns). This is their image. It seems very lifelike:

Artitec does really genius work on everything they do. I am most familiar with their 17th Century work, which I hope we will be able to purchase, as some point.

English Captain: William Ledgant

William Ledgant (or Ledgand) served in the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navies. From 1647 to 1648, he commanded the hired merchantman Increase. Powell called him "Ledgard". He called the Increase a 6th Rate. William Ledgant served in the Irish Guard for the summer and winter of 1647. From 1652 to 1654, he commanded the Nicodemus (10 guns). In early 1653, he fought at the Battle of Portland. He also fought in the Battle of the Gabbard, where he was assigned to William Goodson's division. In 1654, he commanded the Little President. From 1657 to 1658, he commanded the Dutch prize Elias. He died at the end of that time. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.

2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

3. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

English Captain: Rowland Bevans

Thanks to Roberto, we know that Rowland Bevan was born in 1625. R.C. Anderson's list only shows him as commanding the prize Convert from 1656 to 1660. That's pretty odd, because Anderson, in his Mariner's Mirror article lists Rowland Bevans as commanding the prize Sophia (38 guns) at the Battle of the Gabbard, where he was assigned to Samuel Howett's division. He was probably also at the Battle of Scheveningen. He seems not to have served after the Restoration. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

English Captain: Sir John Cox

Sir John Cox commanded the Mary in 1665. In 1666, he commanded the Sovereign. At the time of the Four Days Battle, the Sovereign was laid up, needing more men for the crew. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle in the Sovereign (102 guns), where he was assigned to the Generals' division. In 1668, he commanded the Charles (96 guns). In 1672, he was first captain of the Prince (100 guns), and was killed on 28 May 1672, at the Battle of Solebay. Sir John Narborough was second captain. The Prince was the Duke of York's flagship. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.

2. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.

3. 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.

4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Anthony Spatchurst

Anthony Spathurst served in the Commonwealth navy. In 1652, he commanded the Fortune. From 1653 to 1654, he commanded the Dutch prize Paul (ex-St. Paulus). He fought in the Battle of the Gabbard in June 1653, where he was assigned to Joseph Jordan's division. From 1656 to 1657, he commanded the Centurion. He served in the Mediterranean Sea under Robert Blake's command and took part on the attack at Santa Cruz de Tenerife. He apparently also fought in the Battle of Scheveningen. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.

2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

3. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.

4. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.

English Captain: William Dale

William Dale served at the end of the Commonwealth, and continued to serve in the Restoration navy. In 1660, he commanded the Royalist prize Francis. After the Restoration, he continued in the Francis. In 1665, he was appointed to command the Fox and then the Golden Lion. At the time of the Battle of Lowestoft, he was fitting out the prize Golden Lion. In 1666, he commanded the hired ship London (the East India London) from 30 May 1666 until 11 June 1666. At the time of the Four Days' Battle, he was fitting out the East India London. Finally, in 1673, he commanded the Hind dogger. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

2. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.

3. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).

4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

The Elias in Dutch and Engish service

The Elias entered naval service in early 1652, when she was hired by the Amsterdam Directors. Her first captain was Jacob Sieuwertszoon Spanheim. Her dimensions, in Amsterdam feet, were 132-1/2ft x 30ft x 13ft, with 6-1/2ft between decks. Her original armament consisted of 34 guns: 4-brass 24pdr, 14-12pdr, 10-8pdr, 4-6pdr, and 2-3pdr. Her crew varied from 112 to 121 men. Captain Spanheim was killed in the Battle of Portland (the Three Days Battle). Frans Franszoon Sluyter commanded the Elias at the Battle of the Gabbard, where she was captured by the English. Being a very good ship, she was quickly put into English service. Her first English captain was Edward Moorcock. He was succeed, later in 1653, by John Best. He commanded her from 1653 into 1654. From 1654 to 1655, she was commanded by John Simonds. From 1657 to 1658, she was commanded by William Ledgant. From 1658 to 1659, John Grimsditch commanded the Elias. Mark Harrison commanded her from 1659 to the Restoration. He was continued in command at the Restoration. There are not the same sort of lists after the Restoration. We have to scan the list of naval officers, looking for ships. For example, we know that Ralph Fox was her lieutenant in 1663. William Hill was her captain in 1663. From Pepys' list, we know that the Elias was "cast away" while returning home from New England on 19 October 1664.

English Captain: Thomas Bunn

Thomas Bunn served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1653, he commanded the 6th rate Greyhound. In 1654, he commanded the old 4th Rate Providence. In 1655, he commanded the Dutch prize Welcome. In 1656, he commanded the Dutch prize Great Charity (the former Groote Liefde, an Amsterdam Directors' ship). About 1658, he commanded the 4th Rate Phoenix. Finally, in 1660, he commanded the 3rd Rate Essex. He was continued in command of the Essex after the Restoration. In 1661, he commanded the Lion. He seems to have not served after the early 1660's. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

The Algerine prize, Algier

The Algerine prize Algier was captured in 1671. She was only in service a couple of years before being wrecked ("cast away on the Black Tayle, June 1673"). Her characteristics, using Pepys' descriptions:

• Length by the keel: 82ft-6in
• Breadth by the beam: 28ft-0in
• Depth in hold: 12ft-6in
• Draught of water: 13ft-6in
• Burden: 344 tons
• Crew in peacetime: 110 men
• Crew in wartime, abroad: 150 men
• Crew in wartime, at home: 160 men
• Guns in peacetime: 26 guns
• Guns in wartime, abroad: 26 guns
• Guns in wartime, at home: 32 guns

It's hard to know how she might have been armed, although we can guess: 18-demi-culverins (9dr), 10-sakers (5-1/pdr), and 4-minions (4pdr), for service at home in wartime. Sources:

1. Adrian B. Caruana, The History of English Sea Ordnance 1523-1875, Vol.I, The Age of Evolution 1523-1715, 1994.

2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

"Pepys' List"

Tanner's book, in the first volume, has Samuel Pepys' definitive list of ships that were in service from the Restoration in 1660 up until 25 March 1686. The sort of information in his list is very valuable, as there are things that can't be found elsewhere, such as navigational draft. For example, the entry for the St. Michael:

• Built at Portsmouth by Sir John Tippetts in 1669
• Length by the keel: 125ft-0in
• Breadth by the beam: 40ft-8-1/2in
• Depth in hold: 17ft-5in
• Draught of water: 19ft-8in
• Burden: 1,101 tons
• Peacetime crew everywhere: 370 men
• Wartime crew abroad: 460 men
• Wartime crew at home: 550 men
• Guns in peacetime anywhere: 82 guns
• Guns in wartime abroad: 82 guns
• Guns in wartime at home: 98 guns

The St. Michael was built as a 2nd Rate and was uprated to 1st Rate in early 1672 (under the old calendar, they still called the year 1671).

According to the Ordnance Establishment of 1677, the St. Michael was to carry 90 guns at war, 80 guns abroad, and 80 guns in peacetime. Her establishment was 26-demi-cannon (32 pdr), 26-culverins (18pdr), 26-6pdr, 10-sakers (5-1/4pdr), and 2-3pdr.

Sources:

1. Adrian B. Caruana, The History of English Sea Ordnance 1523-1875, Vol.I, The Age of Evolution 1523-1715, 1994.

2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: James Locke

James Locke (or Lock) served in the Commonwealth navy. He commanded the Constant Anne ketch in 1652. He seems to have disappeared after that, until the Restoration. Anderson did not acknowledge him as having served in the Restoration navy, but he seems to have made a brief reappearance in 1665. Pepys showed James Locke as being appointed to command the Roe ketch in 1665. Frank Fox shows that James Locke fought at the Battle of Lowestoft in the Roe ketch (8 guns and a crew of 55 men). He was attached to the Duke of York's squadron. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.

2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Philemon Bacon

Philemon Bacon served in the Restoration navy. In 1661, he was appointed lieutenant on the 4th Rate Assistance. In 1662, he became lieutenant on the Bonaventure. In 1663, he was lieutenant on the 2nd Rate St. Andrew. In 1664, he was lieutenant on the Plymouth. Later in 1664, he was appointed captain of the 4th Rate Nonsuch. In 1665, he commanded first the Oxford (24 guns), the Assurance, and then the Bristol. Frank Fox calls him "Phillip Bacon", but it is clearly Philemon. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft in the 5th Rate Oxford. He was assigned to the Earl of Sandwich's division. From December 1665 until March 1666, he was with Sir Jeremy Smith's squadron at Tangier. He commanded the Bristol (52 guns) in Sir Robert Holmes' division at the Four Days Battle. He was assigned to scout off the North Foreland, from 28 May. He had the honor of first sighting the Dutch fleet and notifying the Royal Charles. He was killed in action during the first two passes on the second day of the Four Days Battle. Sources:

1. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Peter Andrews

Peter Andrews served in the Parliamentarian navy. In 1642, he commanded the hired merchantman Mayflower (crew 121 men and 450 tons). He served in the Summer Guard for 1642. In 1643, he commanded the 2nd Rate Rainbow (42 guns and a crew of 240 men). He served in the Summer Guard for 1643 under the command of the Earl of Warwick. He may have temporarily commanded the Lion and Leopard in 1645, although he is not listed in Powell. From 1646 to 1647, he commanded the 2nd Rate Unicorn. He was only listed as being part of the Summer Guard in 1646. In 1648, he may have commanded the 2nd Rate George. Again, he does not appear in Powell's lists. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

2. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

What Andrew found about Robert Robinson

Andrew found a good deal of information about Robert Robinson. I'm not sure of the source, but it is an interesting supplement to what I had found in my usual sources:

It is a captain Robert Robinson. He commanded the frigate Plover (26 guns) at the battle of Portland (1653). I think that was a Sir Robert Robinson, that he lived from 1624 to 1705. A ship-owner of unknown origins, Robinson obtained a naval commission in October 1652. He had a long, active, and successful career in the Royal Navy, serving with distinction in the second Dutch War. He achieved command of a Channel squadron in 1668 and was knighted for his naval services in 1675. Robinson first came to Newfoundland in 1661 at the time of Lord Baltimore.s attempt to establish proprietary government. He returned as commodore of the annual convoys in 1665, 1668, and 1680. In 1682 a commission for Robinson's court-martial was issued after he had allegedly allowed the dispersal of the incoming convoy from Cadiz, but apparently no trial took place. In 1686 he was appointed governor of Bermuda. During an unhappy term of office there he was constantly charged with financial corruption, and was recalled at his own request in 1690. His active career was now over, though he put forward further tracts on Newfoundland in 1693 and 1696, merely restatements of his earlier views, and asked, without success, to be restored as governor of Bermuda. He died, on a rear-admiral's life-pension, at the age of eighty-one.

English Captain: Robert Robinson

Robert Robinson served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies and had a very distinguished career, although not as a flag officer. In 1653, he commanded the Dutch prize Plover (26 guns). He fought at the Battle of Portland in early 1653. From 1654 to 1655, he commanded the Greyhound. From 1655 to 1656, he commanded the Dartmouth. From 1656 to 1660, he commanded the Preston. In 1661, he was appointed to command the 4th Rate Ruby. In 1665, the Duke of Albemarle appointed him to command the 4th Rate Elizabeth. At the time of the Battle of Lowestoft, his ship was at Plymouth. In 1666, he commanded the Warspite (64 guns). At the date of the Four Days Battle, his brand new ship was still fitting out for service. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was assigned to Sir Joseph Jordan's division. In 1668, he was again in command of the Ruby. In 1670, he commanded the Greenwich. In 1672, he was again in command of the Warspite (66 guns). Robert Robinson fought at the Battle of Solebay, where he was assigned to Sir John Kempthorne's division. In late 1672 and early in 1673, he commanded the Monmouth, where he was involved with convoying. Later in 1673, he commanded the 4th Rate Diamond. In 1674, he commanded the Royal Oak. On 17 April 1676, he was appointed to command the 4th Rate Assurance. On 7 January 1678 (they called the year 1677, under the old system), he commanded the Harwich. On 3 January 1679, he was appointed to command the 4th Rate Foresight. Finally, on 13 May 1680, he commanded the 4th Rate Assistance. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.

2. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.

3. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

4. 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.

5. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

6. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.