English Captain: Francis Courtney

Francis Courtney served in the Restoration navy. In 1666, he was appointed to command the Dutch prize Gelder de Ruyter. He fought in the Four Days' Battle, where he was assigned to the Duke of Albemarles's division in the Red Squadron. Later in 1666, he commanded the Happy Return. He commanded her in the St. James's Day Battle. He was assigned to John Kempthorne's division in the Blue Squadron. In 1668, he was appointed to command the Sweepstakes. In 1669, he commanded the Garland. In 1672-1673, he commanded the Dunkirk. He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he was assigned to Sir Edward Spragge's division in the Red Squadron. He fought in the Battle of the Texel. He was killed in action on August 11, 1673. Sources:

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