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.