In an arrangement that seems contrary to the supposed Dutch-English cooperation to end the war between Denmark and Sweden, the English had sent Sir George Ayscue, Major Owen Cox, twelve other captains, 14 lieutenants, and about 300 sailors. On 6 July 1659, Owen Cox commanded a squadron that sailed from Landskrona, headed for the Little Belt. The Swedish Admiral Wrangel sent him to Ebeltoft, "on the Jylland coast". He was to attack a Danish-Dutch squadron that was going to attempt another attack on Fyen (Funen). The Danes and Dutch were greatly out-matched. These were the fleets:
Sweden: Mars (44 guns), Apollo (46 guns), Vestervik (44 guns), Fides (36 guns), Nordstjerna (40 guns), Fortuna (30 guns), Engel (24 guns), one fireship, and one bojort. The last three named ships were hired merchantmen.
Denmark: Graa Ulv (36 guns) and Johannes (20 guns).
Netherlands: Wapen van Enkhuizen (27 guns), Prins Willem (28 guns), and Monnikendam (32 guns).
A battle ensued that resulted in the Wapen van Enkhuizen exploding and the other four Danish and Dutch ships surrendering. All the transports were burnt and 1000 troops were captured. At Aarhus, Owen Cox took and burnt another 30 transports. The day after his return to the Sound ib 29 July, he "was promoted to Vice-Admiral".
Sources:
- Ailes, Mary Elizabeth, "Ships, Sailors, and Mediators: England's Naval Aid to Sweden 1658–1659", The Historian 67 (2), pages 275-298, 2005.
- R. C. Anderson, Naval Wars in the Baltic, 1910.
