Some new information about Witte de With

Luc Eekhout, in De Admiralenboek (1992), has a short bio of Witte Corneliszoon de With, which I have augmented. He was born in Brielle on 29 March 1599 and was killed in action at the Battle of the Sound on 8 November 1658. He served in the VOC from 1616 to 1619 and with the WIC from 1628 to 1629. He was punished for his role in the abortive expedition to Brazil to attempt to rescue the WIC position there. The squadron was unsupported and failed, with the loss of two ships. Witte de With was rehabilitated in 1651, after the death of Prince William II from smallpox. He was fleet commander in the Battle of the Kentish Knock. He also fought in the Battle of the Gabbard and the Battle of Scheveningen. His nickname was "Dubbel-With". He served the Admiralty of the Maze (Rotterdam) and was appointed lieutenant in 1619. He was promoted to captain in 1622. On 29 October 1637, he was promoted to Vice-Admiral.

Could the Dutch prize St. Jacob have been the vessel from the First Anglo-Dutch War?

I was looking at English fireships during the Restoration, and saw the Dutch prize St. Jacob listed. A St. Jacob served as a fireship during the First Anglo-Dutch War. I suppose that when the St. Jacob was captured, it was too long after the war to be credible. This St. Jacob was taken in 1666. There were still first war prizes serving in the English navy at this point, so it is not impossible. Surviving hired ships were turned over to their owners in 1654, after the end of the war. This St. Jacob was 65ft x 22ft-6in x 11ft long and of 175 tons burden. That would translate to Dutch dimensions of 86ft x 25ft x 12.5ft (about). The St. Jacob was sold out of the service to Sir Edward Spragge in November 1667. He seems to have owned a number of ships, and must have engaged in trade (or privateering?).

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.

English Captain: John Tyrrell

John Tyrrell served in the Restoration navy, including a long period as a lieutenant. In 1665, he was appointed lieutenant of the 3rd Rate Resolution. In 1672, he was appointed lieutenant of the Leopard. In 1674, the King appointed him lieutenant of the 4th Rate Dragon. Finally, on 16 January 1678 (under the old system, they called in 1677), the King appointed him as captain of the 6th Rate Drake. On 3 April 1680, he was given command of the prize Orangetree. On 13 April 1682, he was reappointed to command the Orangetree. On 18 April, he was switched to the Mermaid. On 23 February 1684 (again, they called in 1683), he was appointed to command the Oxford. On 1 June 1684, the King appointed John Tyrrell to command the Phoenix (42 guns). On 19 September 1685, he caught and sank a "Zanganian" pirate ship in an action notable for the boarding and survival of then Lieutenant John Byng. Then on 4 September 1688, he was appointed to command the Mordaunt (46 guns). He took part in the action on 4 October 1689, when a group of English cruisers fell in with 12 French warships, and the 6th Rate Lively prize was lost. He commanded the 3rd Rate Anne (70 guns) when she was beached and burnt after the Battle of Beachy Head in 1690. He had been assigned to the rear (Blue) squadron. He fought at the Battle of Barfleur, where he commanded the 2nd Rate Ossory (90 guns). Sources:

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

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

English Captain: William Younger

Willian Younger served in the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navy. From 1648 to 1649, he commanded the old 6th Rate Tenth Whelp. In 1652, he commanded the Mary Flyboat (24 guns). On 30 November 1652, he fought at the Battle of Dungeness, where the Mary Flyboat was credited with 32 guns. He fought in the Battle of the Kentish Knock on 28 September 1652. He also seems to have served in the Restoration navy, at least with subsidiary commands. In 1665, he commanded the Young Lamb prize. Later in 1665, he commanded the Bramble fireship. In 1666, he commanded the Horseman prize, a flyboat. The fireship Bramble was the best ship he commanded 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.
3. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: John Hayward

John Hayward served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. From 1651 to 1653, he commanded the Gilliflower (32 guns). In September 1652, he was in the Sound with Andrew Ball's squadron. He fought in the Battle of the Gabbard, where he was assigned to Lionel Lane's division. The Gilliflower must have been considerably damaged, as she was sent in after the battle, and did not rejoin the fleet until August. From 1653 to 1655, he commanded the Portuguese prize Convertine. From 1655 to 1657, he commanded the Entrance. From 1657 to 1659, he commanded the Essex. In 1660, he commanded the Plymouth. After the Restoration, he was continued as captain of the Plymouth. Like Henry Fenn, John Hayward was a protoge of the Earl of Sandwich. Later in 1660, he was given command of the Dover. In 1664, he was appointed to command the Reserve. In 1665, he was appointed to command the Dunkirk. He was assigned to the Earl of Sandwich's division at the Battle of Lowestoft, where he and Henry Fenn were the Earl's seconds. He fought in the Four Days Battle, where he was assigned to Sir Joseph Jordan's division. By July 1666, he was given command of the 2nd Rate St. George. He fought at the St. James's Day Battle, where he was assigned to Sir Thomas Teddiman's division. In 1667, he was appointed to command the Baltimore from 1 July until 12 September, when she was paid off. In 1668, he commanded the York. In 1669, he was given command of the Foresight. In 1672, he commanded the 2nd Rate Old James. He fought at the Battle of Solebay, where he was assigned to Sir Edward Spragge's van division. In 1673, he was appointed to command the Sovereign. Later in 1673, he was appointed as Flag Captain to Prince Rupert on the Royal Charles. He was killed in action at the Battle of the Texel on 11 August 1673. 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. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
7. 22 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: Sir Thomas Allin

During the English Civil War, Thomas Allin served in the King's naval forces. From 1644-1647, commanding ships from those fitted out for the Royalists by Sir Nicholas Crisp. In 1648, he served with the Royalists. From 1648-1649, he commanded the Royalist warship Charles, which was captured. In 1650, he was captain of the Royalist Convertine (the ship built as the Destiny by Sir Walter Raleigh, and eventually sold in Portugal). He was with Prince Rupert on his voyage to inflict damage on the Commonwealth trade. At this time, he was flag captain to the Vice Admiral. Later in 1650, he commanded the Charles Prize with the Royalists.

In 1660, he was appointed a captain in the Restoration navy of King Charles II. In 1660, he commanded the Dover. In 1661, he commanded the Plymouth. Later in 1661, he commanded the Foresight. In 1662, he commanded the 3rd Rate Lion. In 1663, he commanded the 2nd Rate Rainbow. Later in 1663, he was in the St. Andrew. He was commander-in-chief in the Downs, as he was in early 1664. In 1664, he commanded the Plymouth. He was Vice-Admiral of a fleet in the Channel under the command of the Earl of Sandwich. In December 1664, while he commanded the Mediterranean squadron, he caught the Dutch Smyrna convoy off Cadiz, and fought a sharp action with them. He commanded the Plymouth. At various times during this period, he was given an independent fleet to command on special operations. On 26 March 1678, the King appointed him to fly his flag on the 1st Rate Royal James. He died in the fall of 1685 at the age of 74.

Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.I 1660-1666, 1939.
2. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.II 1667-1678, 1940.
3. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
4. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
5. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: John Pointz

Captain John Pointz served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1657, he commanded the Mary Flyboat. In 1658, he commanded the old 4th Rate Providence. In 1660, he commanded the 5th Rate Wakefield. When the Wakefield was renamed Richmond, after the Restoration, John Pointz was continued in command. In 1664, he commanded the Maryland Merchant. John Pointz were her captain from 13 September 1664 until 20 January 1665. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: William Godfrey

William Godfrey definitely served in the Commonwealth navy. There was a William Godfrey, Senior, who served in the Restoration navy, as did his son, William Godfrey, Jr. From 1652 to 1653, William Godfrey commanded the Warwick (sometimes called Old Warwick, 22 guns). He fought at the Battle of the Kentish Knock in the Warwick. From 1653 to 1654, he commanded the Dutch prize Middelburg. From 1655 to 1657, he commanded the Marmaduke. In 1665, William Godfrey commanded first the Eagle, then the Satisfaction, and then the Marmaduke. The later would lead us to believe it is the same man as that who served in the Commonwealth navy, although it could be just a coincidence. It was not unusual for a captain to be posted to the same ship over a considerable period of time. In 1666, Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle appointed William Godfrey to command the Crown. In 1673, he was appointed to be 2nd Lieutenant of the 2nd Rate Unicorn, and again later in the year, he was appointed to the same position. 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. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

The Battle of Öland on 1 June 1676

In the previous action in May 1676, the Swedes had lost the storeship Konung David (10 guns) and the Leopard. They had 26 ships in the line as well as 12 frigates, 10 storeships, and 7 fireships. The Danish-Dutch fleet had 25 ships in the line, with 10 frigates, 10 small vessels, and 5 fireships. The Van was commanded by the great Nils Juel. The Center was commanded by Cornelis Tromp. The Rear was commanded by Philips Almonde, the latter two being Dutchmen. It would be nice to list the ships, but I don't have the time, right now, to do so.

English Captain: James Cadman

James Cadman served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. From 1651 to 1652, he commanded the Eagle shallop (6 guns). From 1652 to 1653, he commanded the 5th Rate Pearl. He fought at the Battle of the Kentish Knock in the Pearl (22 guns). At the Battle of the Gabbard, the Pearl carried 26 guns. She was damaged enought that she was at Dover, under repair, at the time of the Battle of Scheveningen. In 1664, James Cadman was appointed captain of the hired merchantman Hamburgh Merchant (a veteran of the First and Second Wars). He was in Sir George Ayscue's division at the Battle of Lowestoft. He also took part in the attack on the Dutch East Indiamen at Bergen on 2 August 1665. He was shot and killed while on board the Revenge temporarily, presumably because of his experience in Norwegian waters. 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: Henry Fenn

Henry Fenn served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1653, he commanded the hired merchant ship Roebuck (30 guns). At the Battle of the Gabbard, he was assigned to Joseph Jordan's division. He most likely was also at the Battle of Scheveningen. In 1654, he commanded the Gilliflower and the Dutch prize Augustine. In 1655, he commanded the Wildman. From 1656 to 1658, he commanded the 4th Rate Bristol. In 1660, he again commanded the Bristol. King Charles II continued Henry Fenn in command of the Bristol at the Restoration. In 1664, he was given command of the Montagu. He was again in command of the Montagu (58 guns) in 1665. The Earl of Sandwich was his patron, and had Henry Fenn and John Hayward were his "seconds" in April 1665. At the Battle of Lowestoft, the Earl of Sandwich and his seconds were in great distress. Bastiaan Centen put his ship the Oranje (76 guns) alongside Henry Fenn's ship and boarded. The Earl of Marlborough brought his ship the Old James to the rescue, and forced Bastiaan Centen to withdraw. Sadly, the Earl of Marlborough was killed later in the battle when the Dutch flagship Eendracht exploded. Later in 1665, Henry Fenn was assigned to Sir Jeremy Smith's fleet that went to Tangier from December 1665 to March 1666. At the time of the Four Days Battle, Henry Fenn's ship, the Montagu, was victualling at Portsmouth. By July 1666, he was succeeded in command of the Montagu by Daniel Helling. 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.

The attack on Teneriffe in April 1657

The Spanish Plate fleet was known to have anchored at Teneriffe, and Robert Blake intended to capture it there. The English Mediterranean force sailed for Teneriffe and arrived there on 18 April 1657. Saturday was a foggy day, so the attack was delayed to be delayed until the 20th. In the end, they attacked on Monday morning.

There was a strained council of war on board Blake's flagship, and he selected 12 ships to attack. He hoped to repeat the successful assault on Porto Farina. The ships chosen were the Speaker (Richard Stayner), Lyme (John Stokes), Langport (John Coppin), Newbury (Robert Blake, the younger), Bridgwater (Anthony Earning), Plymouth (uncertain captain), Worcester (Robert Nixon), Centurion (Anthony Spatchurst), Winsby (Joseph Ames), Newcastle (Edmund Curtis), Foresight (Peter Mootham), and Maidstone (perhaps Thomas Adams). In addition, the Nantwich (uncertain captain) joined late, along with the Plymouth. They had missed the council of war.

The town of Santa Cruz lay behind the roadstead and the shore was lined with forts and gun emplacements. There was a long mole for unloading ships, and there was a natural barrier behind which ships could safely shelter. The English believed that there were 16 ships in total, with 7 large galleaons being the prize. The actual plate fleet consisted of two warships and nine armed merchantmen, so there must have been five other ships, besides.

There was a semicircle of 10 ships in the lower bay, opposite Santa Cruz. The six largest ships were anchored at the entrance. Blake lead the attack on the forts while Richard Stayner lead the attack on the 6 large galleons. All the Spanish ships were taken, and Blake ordered the prized be burnt, as they were under heavy fire from the forts. Stayner's ship, the Speaker, was disabled. The English lost 40 men killed and 110 wounded. The offshore wind which made the attack so perilous aided the English escape back to Cadiz.

Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.
3. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.

More about David Swerius (Sweers)

Mr. Stapel passed on some information about David Swerius (Sweers, or Sweerts) that may correct some things that I have written about him in the past. I will paraphrase what Mr. Stapel wrote. David Swerius was a "distant cousin" of the famous admiral, Isaak Sweers (spellings are always difficult, as there are many different versions of the same names). David Swerius wrote abot the raid on Chatham from the position of secretary to the fleet. Isaak Sweers was off the mouth of the Thames when David Swerius informed him as to the results. On 30 September 1670, he was the schrijver (writer) for Willem Baron van Ghent. He wrote to the admiralty about his operations against "the Turkish pirates. Mr. Stapel has seen this note at the Scheepvaart Museum in Amsterdam. David Swerius was wounded in the Battle of Solebay. In the following winter, he fought on land with marines under Isaak Sweers command against the French. They fought in defense of the shoreline. David Swerius commanded a small unit of 8 officers and 47 sailors, fighting ashore. He fought in the Battle of the Texel, where he lost both legs. He was taken to his cabin. He tried to attract attention, but in the heat of the battle, he was not heard, and bled to death. He was buried in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam with "a simple gravestone". A "death coin" was struck in his honor, and this can be seen at the Scheepvaart Museum. I have followed Mr. Stapel's account quite closely, and I hope that I have given sufficient quote marks where I have directly quoted him. I thank him for his input.

English Captain: John Lloyd

Andrew saw that a John Lloyd served in the Restoration navy. He had also served in the Commonwealth navy, and commanded the Dutch prize Princess Maria from 1653 to 1655, and then the 4th Rate Diamond from 1656 to 1660. After the Restoration, he was given command of the 4th Rate Dragon, starting in 1664. At the Battle of Lowestoft, in 1665, he was in the Earl of Sandwich's division, in the Dragon (38 guns). Later in 1665, he commanded the Yarmouth (52 guns). He was in Sir William Berkeley's division at the Four Days Battle, in the Yarmouth. In 1666, he commanded the Plymouth (58 guns) in Sir Thomas Allin's division at the St. James's Day Battle. In 1668, he was back in command of the Yarmouth. In 1669, he commanded the Swallow. In 1672, he commanded the Triumph, apparently before the Battle of Solebay, as Willoughby Hannam commanded the Triumph at Solebay, where he was killed in action. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Peter Mootham

Peter Mootham served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1652, he commanded the Star (24 guns). He took part in the operation to the Sound in the fall of 1652, under the command of Andrew Ball. In 1653, he commanded the prize Bear, and then the Pelican (40 guns). At the Battle of the Gabbard, he was assigned to the Generals' division. He probably took part in the Battle of Scheveningen. From 1654 to 1660, he commanded the Foresight (42 guns). He sailed with Blake, in 1654, to the Mediterranean. He was left with the blockading squadron in front of Tunis in early 1655. In April, he took part in the attack at Porto Farina. He was with the ships sent back to England in September 1655. In March 1656, his was one of two ships sent to reconnoiter Cadiz. In April 1657, he took part in the attack at Teneriffe. On 9 July 1657, he set sail with Blake for England. The King continued Peter Mootham as captain of the Foresight, at the Restoration. In 1665, he commanded the Princess (52 guns). He was killed in action at the Four Days Battle in June 1666, where he was in Prince Rupert'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. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.
4. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
5. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Anthony Earning

Anthony Earning served in the Commonwealth navy. From 1651 to 1653, he commanded the hired merchantman Reformation (40 guns). He fought at the Battle of Portland in early 1653. At the Battle of the Gabbard, he was assigned to Thomas Graves' division. He was very likely at the Battle of Scheveningen. Fron 1653 to 1659, he commanded the 3rd Rate Bridgewater. He was with Blake in the Mediterranean Sea, and fought the castle at the Battle of Porto Farina in April 1655. He also took part in the attack on Teneriffe in April 1657. In 1660, he commanded the small 3rd Rate Worcester. 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.

The Dutch ship: Spiegel

The Spiegel was built in 1663, at Amsterdam, for the Admiralty of Amsterdam. She was a three-decked ship, although the uppermost deck was not completely armed. Her dimensions were 156ft x 41ft x 15ft.

When she was brand new, she was Michiel De Ruyter's flagship for his operations against the English in 1664. Her crew was nominally 315 men.

In June 1666, she was Vice-Admiral Abraham van der Hulst's flagship at the Four Days Battle. Captain Pieter Thomasz. de Sitter was his flag captain. In that battle, she carried 8-brass 24pdr, 16-iron 18pdr, 12-brass 12pdr, 12-iron 12pdr, 16-brass 6pdr, and 4-6pdr klokwijs guns. Her crew was 350 sailors and 47 land soldiers. She lost 35 killed, including Admiral van der Hulst, and had 66 wounded.

Dirck Schey commanded the Spiegel in the Raid on Chatham in May 1667 as well as in July 1667. Her crew for that operation was 325 sailors and 50 land soldiers. She carried 70 guns during that period. Dirck Schey still commanded the Spiegel in 1671, when she had a crew of 275 sailors and 60 land soldiers.

Jacob van Meeuwen commanded the Spiegel at the Schooneveld battles in 1673. Her crew was nominally 350 men. He also commanded her at the Battle of the Texel in August 1673, when she had a crew of 314 sailors and 12 land soldiers. In 1673, her armament was 70 guns.

In June 1674, the Spiegel was commanded by Engel De Ruyter. At that date, her crew was 296 sailors and 83 land soldiers.

In July 1675, Niklaas Verschuur commanded the Spiegel. Her crew was 360 men.

In 1676, Gilles Schey commanded the Spiegel. That is the last mention of the ship.

Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700", 2004.
2. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.

The East India Merchant (in 1666)

One of the hired merchantmen that was with the fleet at the Four Days Battle in 1666 was the East India Merchant. Her captain was William Porter. The dimensions were LK 96ft-10in and B 29ft-8in. She had been built in 1652. She was hired in August 1664 and fought at the Battle of Lowestoft. Frank Fox says that she was attached to the main fleet during the Norway operations and then was present for the actions on 3 and 9 September 1665. She was released in December but was rehired in April 1666. She apparently left Sheerness on 4 June 1666, too late for the Four Days Battle. 50 of her men were transferred to the Warspite, so she missed the St. James's Day Battle. Frank writes: "She rejoined the fleet before 22 August and was present for the minor action of 31 August. Her hire was extended for service in the West Indies". She sailed for the West Indies in March 1667, but arrived too late for the Battle of Nevis. Her armament was 44 guns, of which we only know that she had 20-demi-culverins (9pdr) and 6-sakers (5-1/4pdr). Sources:

1. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.
2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
3. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).

Blake's deployment to the Mediterranean Sea in 1654 (Updated)

On 29 September 1654, Robert Blake sailed for the Mediterranean Sea with a substantial squadron:

1. George, 60 guns Robert Blake, Admiral, John Stoakes, flag captain
2. Andrew, 54 guns Richard Badiley, Vice-Admiral
3. Unicorn, 54 guns Joseph Jordan, Rear-Admiral
4. Langport, 50 guns Roger Cuttance
5. Hampshire, 34 guns Robert Blake, the younger
6. Bridgewater, 50 guns Anthony Earning
7. Foresight, 36 guns Peter Mootham
8. Worcester, 46 guns William Hill
9. Plymouth, 50 guns Richard Stayner
10. Kentish, 40 guns Edward Witteridge
11. Diamond, 36 guns John Harman
12. Taunton, 36 guns Thomas Foules (or Foulis) <--
13. Ruby, 36 guns Edmund Curtis
14. Newcastle, 40 guns Nathaniel Cobham
15. Amity, 30 guns Henry Packe
16. Mermaid, 22 guns James Abelson
17. Pearl, 22 guns Benjamin Sacheverell
18. Maidstone, 32 guns Thomas Adams
19. Princess Maria, 34 guns John Lloyd
20. Elias, 32 guns John Symonds

The 6th Rate Merlin also seems to have been on the voyage. The squadron stopped a Cadiz, and then proceeded to Livorno. From there Blake had intended to go to Trapani, but news that there was a fleet at Tunis changed his plans, and they sailed directly for Tunis. They arrived at Porto Farina, where they blockaded the Turkish warships. They were in various states of disrepair, but an attack still looked difficult. They were short of water, so they sailed, leaving the Plymouth, Kentish, Mermaid, Foresight, Newcastle, and Taunton to maintain the blockade. Blake sailed to Cagliari to get water and decide how to proceed. He reached Tunis on March 18th. Blake attacked on April 4th, against 9 ships, backed by forts and shore batteries. Blake sent the smaller ships against the anchored ships (Newcastle, Kentish, Foresight, Amity, Princess Maria, Pearl, Mermaid, and Merlin, along with the Ruby and Diamond, although it is not clear where they were in the line) and fought the forts with his larger ships (apparently the Andrew, Plymouth, George, Worcester, Unicorn, and Bridgewater, in that order). The breeze blew towards the town, and sent the smoke from gunfire that way, keeping the line of fire clear. Boats were launched, commanded by John Stoakes. The English boarded the ships and fired them. Only 25 English were killed in the fight. The source for this was William Laird Clowes' The Royal Navy, A history from the earliest times to the present, Vol.II, pp.210-212 and Michael Baumber's book, General-at-Sea, pp.203-204

English captain: the second Robert Clarke

There were two Robert Clarkes who served in the navy prior to the Restoration. The second Robert Clarke commanded the Charles frigate, a hired merchantman, from 1645 to 1647. In the 1645 Summer Guard, he was in the Irish Guard. The record is confusing, as the first Robert Clarke was serving at the same time, and commanded other ships. The second Robert Clarke commanded the 6th Rate Martin (12 guns and a crew of 50 men) in February 1652. The record is unclear as to whether Robert Clarke was still in command of the Martin on 19 May 1652. The Martin was definitely present in the opening action of the First Anglo-Dutch War, off Dover. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
3. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

English Captain: Richard Beach

Richard Beach served in both the Royalist naval forces and the Restoration navy. In 1651, he commanded the Michael (24 guns), and was captured. In 1654, he commanded the Royal James (22+ guns), and was captured again. From 1657 to 1658, he again was a Royalist privateer and was captured at the end of that period. He was knighted for his services, and in 1661, he was given command of the Crown. In 1663, he was given command of the Leopard. He fought at the Four Days Battle, in command of the Leopard, while in Prince Rupert's division (Sir Thomas Allin was Rupert's flag captain). In 1666, he commanded the Fairfax at the St. James's Day Battle, where he was in the General's division. In 1667, he commanded the Greenwich. In 1669, he was given command of the Hampshire. In 1672, he was given command of the Monmouth. In 1673, he served as Rear-Admiral of the Blue, with his flag on the Monmouth. On 13 March 1683, he was given command of the Royal James. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
4. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Thomas Allin and the Dutch Smyrna fleet in December 1664

Sir Thomas Allin commanded a small squadron of ships operating in the Mediterranean Sea nad near Tangier. On 19 December 1664, they sighted 12-14 ships which proved to be the Dutch. The English cut their cables to try to get to them, but 6 reached the Puercas rocks on the south side of Cadiz, at the entrance. Captain Wager, in the Diamond, almost ran aground. Thomas Allin caught one of the larger Dutch ships. Other captains and ships were Clarke in the Antelope and Captain Seale in the Milford. Captain Mohun was in the Oxford. There were also the famous former Royalist privateer Richard Beach in the Leopard and Captain Terne was in the Portsmouth. Captain Allin took possession of a large Dutch ship, the King Solomon. Captain Poole's ship, the Advice took damage and was driven to the leeward. They received word from a Venetian that Captain Utber and the Essex had arrived at Livorno on 26 November. Captain Clarke had the Maria Sanctus and a pink that he had taken. They sent the Abraham's Sacrifice with letters to England. On Christmas day, they heard that the Dover had gone in to Tangier. Allin's Journal is rather sketchy about events, and I have only summarized the events in December.

English Captain: Sir John Chicheley

Sir John Chicheley served in the Restoration navy. He was the protégé of the Duke of York, to whom he owed his rapid advancement. In 1662, he was a lieutenant on the 2nd Rate Swiftsure. In 1663, he commanded the 5th Rate Milford. In 1664, he commanded first the 4th Rate Bristol and then the 4th Rate Phoenix. In 1665, he commanded the 4th Rate Antelope (46 guns). He was in William Penn's squadron at the Battle of Lowestoft. In 1666, he commanded the 3rd Rate Fairfax (60 guns) at the Four Days Battle. In 1668, he commanded the 3rd Rate Rupert. In 1671, he commanded the 3rd Rate Dreadnought. In 1672, he commanded the 2nd Rate Royal Katherine at the Battle of Solebay. Sir John and part of his crew were taken prisoner by the Dutch, but the remainder of the crew were able to retake the ship. In 1673, he commanded the 1st Rate Charles (96 guns). He was Rear-Admiral of the Red at the Schooneveld battles. At the Battle of the Texel on 11 August 1673, Sir John Chicheley's squadron "was driven to leeward", which allowed the Dutch to concentrate against Prince Rupert and Sir John Harman's divisions. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
3. Brian Lavery, The Ship of the Line, Vol.I, 1983.
4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Ships cruising between the Lizard and the Scilly Isles on 17 December 1653

A squadron of English warships was assigned to cruising duties between The Lizard and the Scilly Isles, as of 17 December 1653. This squadron consisted of 6 ships:

1. 4th Rate Bristol, 50 guns crew 200 men Captain Roger Martin
2. 4th Rate Assistance, 40 guns crew 180 men Captain William Crispin
3. 4th Rate Hampshire, 40 guns crew 180 men Captain Robert Blake (the younger)
4. Dutch prize Elias, 36 guns crew 140 men Captain John Best
5. Prize Hopewell pink, 20 guns
6. 4th Rate Nonsuch, 40 guns crew 170 men Captain Thomas Penrose

Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
2. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.

An Obscure Source: Corbett's small book about the Earl of Dartmouth's drawings

I am fortunate to actually own the full set of drawings as well as two copies of the booklet by 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" published by the Navy Records Society in 1908. The drawings are reproductions from drawings made in the production of tapestries illustrating the battles. The original drawings, from which these were made, were thought to have been done by Willem van de Velde the Elder. When I was preparing the Privateers Bounty scenario for the Battle of Solebay, I relied on this pamphlet, along with Anderson's book on the Third Dutch War. Corbett's booklet, for example, lists the French officer's names and the English frigates at the Battle of Solebay.

English Captain: Peter Foote (or Foot)

Peter Foote (or Foot) served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1653, he commanded the 4th Rate Adventure (40 guns). He was assigned to escort colliers. In 1654, he commanded the 5th Rate Bryer. In 1655, he commanded the 6th Rate Merlin. From 1656 to 1660, he commanded the 5th Rate Mermaid. In 1664, he commanded first the Bryer, again, and then the St. Paul (or Paul). In June 1665, he was assigned a scouting mission between Calais and Winterton. We only know that he died sometime before 1689. 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. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
5. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: William Rouse

From 1651 to 1652, William Rouse commanded the Love. Interestingly, the Love didn't show up on Anderson's radar for his Lists of Men of War, but did for the captains list. The Love may have been a Royalist prize. In 1653, he commanded the 4th Rate Portland (42 guns). Apparently, there is a "name" issue with William Rouse, as he seems to have been called William Rause in Anderson's article about fleet lists. There is a reference in The First Dutch War that calls him William Rowe. He arrived with the fleet on 30 May, right before the Battle of the Gabbard. He was killed in action at the Battle of Scheveningen. He commanded the Portland at both battles. 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.

English Captain: Thomas Graves

Andrew had found a good article about Thomas Graves. He was a settler in America, and that prompted the article. The article starts off:

Thomas Graves (1) was born 6 June 1605 at Ratcliff, England, near London (or at Stepney, England), was baptized 16 June 1605 at Stepney, part of the city of London, and died 31 July 1653 (31st day, 5th month, 1653, old style calendar) in a sea battle with the Dutch in the English Channel. (A number of sources say he died in Charlestown, MA, but this definitely appears incorrect; e.g., Tracy Genealogy, p. 177, and NEHGS Register.) His will was dated 13 June 1652 and probated 1 Oct. 1653.

R.C. Anderson has very little about Thomas Graves in the captain's list. He only says that he commanded the President from 1652 to 1653, and that he was on the Andrew in 1653, when he was killed. He also has a problem in that he sometimes calls him William Graves. Thomas Graves commanded the President at the Battle of the Kentish Knock, in 1652. He lists him as Thomas Graves, in command of the President, at the Battle of Portland. At the Battle of the Gabbard, he was Rear-Admiral of the White, with his flag on the Andrew (56 guns). He also fought at the Battle of Scheveningen, where he was killed. Mr. Atkinson, in Vol.VI, editor of The First Dutch War, notes the name problem, 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. VI, 1930.