English Captain: Henry Collins

Henry Collins served in the Commonwealth navy. From 1651 to 1654, he commanded the hired merchantman Malaga Merchant. He had been with Sir George Ayscue in his voyage to Barbadoes. He was still operating with Sir George Ayscue during the summer of 1652. He fought in the Battle of Plymouth, where the Malaga Merchant carried 30 guns.By late March 1653, he was operating with the fleet. He sailed from Portsmouth with William Penn's squadron. Henry Collins also fought in the Battle of the Gabbard. The Malaga Merchant by this time carried 36 guns. He was assigned to the Generals' division. He almost certainly fought in the Battle of Scheveningen, as well. 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.IV, 1910.
4. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.