English Captain: Robert Moulton, Sr.

The senior Robert Moulton served in the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navies. In 1643, he commanded the 2nd Rate Swiftsure. From 1643 to 1644, he commanded the 3rd Rate Lion. From 1645 to 1646, he was Admiral commanding forces off Ireland with his flag on the Lion. In 1647, he was captain of the Triumph, which was held in reserve. From 1648 to 1649, he commanded the St. George. Later in 1649, he commanded the Leopard and then the Victory. In January 1649, when the Royalists made an escape attempt in January 1649, Robert Moulton was Vice-Admiral in the Downs, but he only had the Leopard, Bonaventure, and Elizabeth, which were insufficient to stop the Royalists. He was soon joined by the Adventure, which gave him four good ships. The fleet had been dispersed in late 1648 in concern about its loyalty, and it made operations difficult. In 1650, he commanded the Leopard, and then was Vice-Admiral with his flag on the 2nd Rate Andrew. Michael Baumber says that on the expedition to Portugal, Robert Moulton flew his flag on the Happy Entrance. Our friend Andrew says that Robert Moulton was a commissioner of the navy, when he died in September 1652. He had just been dispatched to William Penn, to take part in the operations against the Dutch fleet which was reported to be sailing from the Rammekens. Sources:

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

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

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