English Captain: Robert Sparks

Robert Sparks fought in both the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navies. In 1645, he commanded the Anne and Elizabeth, a hired merchant ship which was captured. In the summer of 1645, he was assigned to the "particular service" squadron. In 1653, he commanded the Exeter Merchant. From 1653 until 1654, he commanded the Benjamin (32 guns and a crew of 120 men), also a hired merchant ship. He fought in the Battle of the Gabbard, where he was assigned to Joseph Jordan's division in the Blue Squadron. 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