English Captain: George Batts

George Batts served in the Restoration navy. In 1660, he was appointed as captain of the Great Gift. In 1661, the Duke of York appointed him to command the Little Gift. In 1663, he was appointed to command the Francis. In 1664, he was appointed to command the Hampshire. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft in June 1665, where he was assigned to Sir George Ayscue's division in the Blue Squadron. He hoined the fleet about 3rd or 4th June 1666, on the last days of the Four Days' Battle. In 1666, the Duke of Albemarle and Prince Rupert appointed him to command the 2nd Rate Unicorn (60 guns). On 25 July 1666, he fought in the St. James's Day Battle. He was assigned to Richard Utber's division in the White Squadron. He was dismissed from the service after the battle. In some ways, he was a victim of unhappiness with his division commander, Ricard Utber. 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.

The French squadron at the Battle of Solebay

The French squadron at the Battle of Solebay on 7 June 1672 (new style) was commanded by the Comte d'Estrées. The squadron consisted of 30 ships fit to fight in the line, 5 light frigates, and 8 fireships. This is the listing compiled by Julian S. Corbett:

Van Division commanded by Lt-General Abraham du Quesne

Ship                     guns  commander
1)  Illustre                 70    Marquis de Grancy
2)  Téméraire                50    M. de Larson
3)  Admirable                68    M. de Beaulieu
4)  Terrible                 70    M. de Quesne, Vice-Admiral
5)  Conquérant               70    M. de Thivas
6)  Prince                   50    Marquis d'Amfreville
7)  Bourbon                  50    M. de Kervin
8)  Hasardeux                38    M. de la Vigerie
9)  Alcyon                   46    M. Bitaut de Bléor
10) Vaillant                 50    Chevalier de Nesmond

Center Division commanded by Comte d'Estrées

11) Foudroyant               70    M. Louis Gabaret
12) Brave                    54    Chevalier de Valbelle
13) Aquilon                  50    Chevalier d'Hally
14) Tonnant                  58    M. Desardans
15) Saint-Philippe           78    Comte d'Estree, Admiral
                                 M. de Cou, Capitain de Pavillon (flag captain)
16) Grand                    70    M. Gombaud
17) Duc                      50    Chevalier de Sepville
18) Eole                     38    Chevalier de Cogolin
19) Oriflamme                50    M. de Kerjean
20) Excellent                50    M. de Magnon
21) Arrogant                 38    M. de Villenueve-Ferriére

Rear Division commanded by M. des Rabesnières

22) Fort                     60    Comte de Blénac
23) Rubis                    46    M. de Saint Aubin d'Infreville
24) Galant                   46    Chevalier de Flacourt
25) Sanspareil               66    M. de la Clocheterie
26) Superbe                  70    M. des Rabesniéres, Rear-Admiral
27) Le Sage                  50    M. de Tourville
28) Le Hardi                 38    M. de la Roque-Garseval
29) Heureux                  50    M. Pannetier
30) Invincible               70    Commandeur de Verdille

Corbett does not give the names of the smaller vessel. Sources:

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: Thomas Ayliffe

Thomas Ayliffe served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, Thomas Ayliffe was captain of the Yarmouth (52 guns). He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he was assigned to the Duke of York's division in the Red Squadron. By 1666, someone else commanded the Yarmouth. He next appears much later, in 1671, when he was appointed as Lieutenant of the 3rd Rate Edgar. 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: Daniel Helling

Daniel Helling served in the Restoration navy. In 1664, the Duke of York appointed him Captain of the Colchester. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft in the Colchester (28 guns). He was assigned to Christopher Myngs' division in the White Squadron. In 1665, he was appointed to command three ships in turn: the Centurion, the Lion, and the Dragon. In June 1666, he fought in the Four Days' Battle where he was assigned to Sir Christopher Myngs' division in Prince Rupert's squadron. Later in 1666, the Duke of Albemarle and Prince Rupert appointed him to command the Montagu. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle on 25 July 1666. He was assigned to Sir Thomas Allin's division in the White Squadron. In 1668, they appointed him to command the Bristol. In December 1668, he was in the Mediterranean under the command of Sir Thomas Allin. Sir Thomas Allin's journal says that in July 1669, Daniel Helling commanded the Bristol in Sir Thomas Allin's squadron that set sail from Spithead, headed for the Mediterranean Sea. In January 1670 (they called in 1669 in the old style), Sir Edward Spragge appointed him to command the 3rd Rate Mary, after Captain Clark died. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.II 1667-1678, 1940.
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: Leonard Harris

Leonard Harris served in the Restoration navy. In 1666, he commanded the fireship Dolphin.

In 1668, he commanded the Little Victory (12 guns), which was used as a fireship by that date. On 17 July 1669, an English squadron set sail from Spithead for the Mediterranean Sea. The squadron was commanded by Sir Thomas Allin, and consisted of the following ships:

• Resolution, Sir Thoms Allin
• St. David, Sir John Harman
• Mary, Robert Clarke
• Hampshire, Richard Beach
• Bristol, Daniel Helling
• Portsmouth, William Coleman
• Jersey, William Poole
• Deptford ketch, John Ashby
• Little Victory fireship, Leonard Harris

He was in the Mediterranean Sea in December 1670 under the command of Sir Edward Spragge, who was in the Revenge. They were cruising off Formentera, when they sighted two Algerine warships with a prize. They chased the Algerines for three days, but the Revenge was slow. Spragge put an extra 100 men into the Little Victory to work the sweeps. They were able to overhaul an Algerine warships with 28 guns and forced it ashore. They boarded the ship and got it off, undamaged. The other Algerines were able to escape.

In May 1671, Leonard Harris was again under Sir Edward Spragge's command. Some Algerines were lying in Bugia Bay, and the English atatcked in the night of 2 May with boats and the fireship Eagle. Due to some subordinates misunderstanding the attack failed, and the Eagle was expended needlessly. A different plan was tried, and the English attacked in daylight on 8 May. The Algerines had built a boom across the harbour entrance. The boats severed the boom, and the Little Victory went in to attack. Leonard Harris was seriously wounded, but Sir Edward Spragge "had ordered Henry Williams, a young master's mate, to be at hand to assume the command at a moments notice; and Williams, after not only Harris, but also the proper master's mate, and the gunner of the Little Victory, had been disabled, brought the business to a triumphant conclusion". The Algerine warships were all destroyed. The English names for them were the While Horse (34 guns), Orange Tree (34 guns), Three Cypress Trees (34 guns), Three Half-Moons (28 guns), Pearl (26 guns), Golden Crown (24 guns), and Half-Moon (24 guns). Three Algerine prizes "were also burnt".

In 1672, he commanded the Castle fireship. In 1673, Prince Rupert appointed him captain of the old 2nd Rate St. George. Later in 1673, the Duke of York appointed him as captain of the Guernsey. On 29 November 1673, the King appointed Leonard Harris to command the Success. The King appointed him to command the hired ship Massenbird on 12 April 1678. Later in the year, on 30 November 1678, the King appointed him to command the old 2nd Rate Rainbow, now functioning as a guardship. On 22 August 1679, the Commissioners appointed him to command the Mary guardship. 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: George Watson

George Watson served in the Restoration navy. In 1660, the Duke of York appointed him Lieutenant of the Princess. In 1665, the Duke appointed him Captain of the Mermaid. On 25 July 1666, he was stationed with the Mermaid in Ireland. In 1670, the Duke appointed him as Captain of the Success (30 guns). He was assigned to Sir John Kempthorne's division in the Red Squadron in August 1672. In 1673, the Duke appointed him as Captain of the Swallow. Later in 1673, Prince Rupert appointed him to command the Phoenix. Sources:

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

I received two books today

Today, two books that I had recently purchased arrived in the mail. They were:

1. Frank C. Bowen, Men of the Wooden Walls, 1952.
2. Dr. S. C. van Kampen, De Rotterdamse Particuliere Scheepsbouw in de Tijd van de Republiek, 1953.

English Captain: Edward Grove

Edward Grove served in the Restoration navy. In 1661, the Duke of York appointed him to command the Merlin. In 1663, the Duke appointed him to command the Martin. In 1664, the Duke appointed him to command the Success. In May 1665, Edward Grove had been part of an group of ships sent to Norway to attempt to intercept a Dutch naval stores convoy. On they way back, they had put into Lowestoft. When gunfire was heard, three of the ships set sail for the battle. Edward Grove did not, and he was courtmartialed. They had found that he was "dead drunk" at the time. He was dismissed from the service by the courtmartial. Sources:

1. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
2. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Richard Swanley

In 1660, at the Restoration, Richard Swanley was appointed to command the Eaglet ketch. An earlier Richard Swanley had served in the navy of Charles I and in the Parliamentarian navy. In 1661, Richard Swanley served in the Mediterranean Sea in the Eaglet ketch, under the command of Sir Thomas Allin. In 1663, he was operating near to home, often being in the Downs. This Richard Swanley was lieutenant of the Anne in 1666. Later in 1666, the Duke of Albemarle and Prince Rupert appointed him lieutenant of the 2nd Rate Triumph. Sir Thomas Allin's journal indicates that Richard Swanley was captain of the York in September 1666, during the Gerat Fire of London. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.I 1660-1666, 1939.
2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Richard James

Richard James served in the Restoration navy. In 1660, he was appointed lieutenant of the Plymouth. In 1664, the Duke of York appointed him lieutenant of the Happy Return. Later in 1664, he was appointed lieutenant of the Centurion. In 1666, he was appointed as lieutenant of the Dover. Later in 1666, he was promoted to captain and given command of the old 4th Rate Providence (34 guns). He fought in the Four Days' Battle, where he was assigned to Sir Thomas Teddiman's division in the Blue Squadron. On 25 July 1666, he fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was assigned to John Kempthorne's division in the Blue Squadron. In 1672, he was appointed captain of the 2nd Rate Unicorn (56 guns). He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he was assigned to Sir Joseph Jordan's division in the Blue Squadron. In August, he was assigned to Sir John Harman's division in the Blue Squadron. In 1673, he was appointed to command the Foresight. Finally, on 4 April 1677, the King appointed him as captain of the Portland. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. 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.
3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Francis Sanders

Francis Sanders served in the Restoration navy. On 13 February 1665, he was appointed captain of the hired ship Constant Katherine (40 guns). He commanded her until 12 December 1665, and fought in the Battle of Lowestoft. At Lowestoft, he was assigned to Robert Sansum's division in the White Squadron. The Constant Katherine was intended to be part of the attack on Bergen, but was not able to reach the harbour due to the weather. Francis Sanders and the Constant Katherine did take part in the actions on 3 September and 9 September 1665. The Duke of Albemarle appointed him to command the Sweepstakes (36 guns) in late 1665. At the Four Days' Battle, Francis Sanders distinguished himself on the fourth day, when he joined Sir Robert Holmes, and others, who helped defend the Duke of Albemarle and the Royal Charles against attack by Michiel De Ruyter, Adriaan Bankert, and many others. He was assigned to the Duke of Albemarle's division in the Red Squadron. He also fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was assigned to the General's division in the Red Squadron. On 9 and 10 August, he took part in the attack on the Vlie, under the command of Sir Robert Holmes. 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. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Thomas Leggatt

Thomas Leggatt (or Legat) served the Restoration navy. In 1665, he was appointed as captain of the Fountain prize (30 guns). He apparently replaced the troublesome Jean Baptiste du Tiel. In June 1666, the Fountain, still under his command, was at the island of Jersey. In July 1666, he was at Harwich with his ship, which was ready for sea. He joined Sir Robert Holmes for the attack on the Vlie. In that action, the Fountain carried 36 guns. In 1670, he was appointed as captain of the Norwich. In 1672, he was appointed captain of the Nonsuch. 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.

The capture of the French Rubis by the English

In early September 1666, the French fleet, commanded by the Duke of Beaufort, set sail from Belle-Ile. The fleet consisted of about 40 warship and 15 fireships. The goal was to join the Dutch fleet under De Ruyter. The only problem was that De Ruyter had sailed for the shallows off Dunkirk on 8 September 1666. He warned the Duke of Beaufort to get his fleet back in port as soon as he could. The Duke had stopped at Dieppe to take on some 600 soldiers. On 14 September, he received De Ruyter's warning and headed for Brest. Th English were at sea off of Dungeness, and if the French had encountered them, they would have been defeated. Seven French warships did not receive the orders to withdraw, and they had an encounter with Sir Thomas Allin's White Squadron, thinking that the white flags were French. Most of the French escaped, but the Rubis (60 guns) was taken in a hard fight with Allin's Royal James, along with the Adventure, Foresight, and Monck. Frank Fox says that Sir Thomas Allin's ship lost more men than in the Four Days' Battle. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.I 1660-1666, 1939.
2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Dutch Naval Officer: Johan (or Jan) Taalman (or Taelman)

Johan (or Jan) Taalman (or Taelman) started his service with the Admiralty of Maze and served for a while with the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He was born at Gouda on 11 January 1675 and died there on 26 May 1755. He was the son of Abraham Taalman. In 1695, he was appointed as a lieutenant by the Admiralty of the Maze. In 1706, he was promoted to extra-ordinary captain. In 1708, he joined an English detachment near Dunkirk. He commanded the Kampen (44 guns). He was then sent to Ostende. In 1717, he was promoted to captain. On 8 May 1744, the Admiralty of Amsterdam appointed him as Lieutenant-Admiral. From 1744 to 1748, he commanded the naval force on the Scheldt. In 1748, he commanded in the Holland and Zeeland tidal waters ("the flows"). On 8 March 1750, the Admiralty of the Maze appointed him as Lieutenant-Admiral. Sources:

1. Luc Eekhout, Het Admiralenboek: De Vlagofficieren van de Nederlandse marine 1382-1991, 1992.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1861.

Dutch Captain: Maurits Sels

Maurits Sels served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1698, he was appointed as an extraordinarie-kapitein-ter-zee. On 19 May 1705, he was with Commandeur Jacobus Teengs, on the return voyage to Hull, convoying 20 merchant ships. They encountered three French ships commanded by the Chevalier de Saint Pol. The three consisted of one of 56 guns, one of 52 guns, and one of 36 guns. Captain Sels and Commandeur Teengs continued through the night, hoping to bring the merchant ship in safely, and to avoid an unequal fight. They finally decided to fight to give the merchant ships a chance to reach the Texel. In the fight, Sels' ship lost its foremast and bowsprit and was forced to anchor. Commandeur Teengs continued the fight against the second French ship and three times repelled borders. After fighting through the night, both ships were practically powerless and had part of their armament disabled. In 1707, Captain Sels served in the Mediterranean near Livorno. In 1712, he was promoted to ordinaris-kapitein. Sources:

1. Anthonie Heinsius (Institut voor Nederlandse Zeegeschiedenis), Brieven van Anthonie Heinsius 1702-1720
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1860.
3. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1861.

A Noorderkwartier list from 25 May 1629

This list of Noorderkwartier ships and captains is based on a document from the Nationaal Archief dated 25 May 1629.

On the coast of Flanders

Ship

Neptunis          28 guns  crew  85  240 lasts  Gover Albertssen 't Hoen
Hollandsche Tuin  28 guns  crew  85  200 lasts  Jan Eliasz. of Enkhuizen
Neptunis          24 guns  crew  85  200 lasts  Mieeus Sandersz. of Enkhuizen
Kat, jacht         8 guns  crew  56   40 lasts  Tijman Thijssen of Monnikendam
Eenhoorn          30 guns  crew  85  200 lasts  Cornelis Jansz. Schilling
Groene Draeck     30 guns  crew  85  240 lasts  Claes Jansz. Haai of Hoorn
Eendracht         36 guns  crew 100  300 lasts  Willem Jansz. Codde
Vliegende Draeck  24 guns  crew  85  180 lasts  Cornelis Huijt of Alkmaar
Dido, jacht       10 guns  crew  59   48 lasts  Harman Block of Enkhuizen

on a convoy to France

Goude Leeuw       24 guns  crew  85  180 lasts  Jacob Sijmonsz. Dolphijn

On a convoy to the Sound and Norway

Sampson           26 guns  crew  85  220 lasts  Jan Thijssen of Hoorn
Swaerte Bul       20 guns  crew  75  160 lasts  Jacob Fransz. of Alkmaar
Medemblik         24 guns  crew  85  230 lasts  Pieter de Vries of Medemblik
Hoop              22 guns  crew  75  150 lasts  Gerrit Claesz. Guijter

Dutch Naval Officer: Willem 't Hooft

Willem 't Hooft served the Admiralty of the Maze. He was born in Rotterdam about 1674. He died there on 7 May 1752. He was appointed as a lieutenant on 6 May 1692. He is listed again as a lieutenant on 19 November 1692. He was promoted to captain on 8 November 1713. He left the service in 1717. He served in the Portuguese navy from 1717 to 1725. He returned to the Dutch navy and was appointed as a captain in 1725. In 1729, he served in a squadron sent against the Algerians. He commanded the ship Twickelo (52 guns). In 1743, he was with a fleet sent to the Baltic. He commanded the ship Hof Sint-Janskerk (40 guns). On 8 May 1746, he was appointed as Vice-Admiral. In 1747, he was a member of the high sea war council in Zeeland. On 8 March 1750, he was appointed as Lieutenant-Admiral. Sources:

1. Luc Eekhout, Het Admiralenboek: De Vlagofficieren van de Nederlandse marine 1382-1991, 1992.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1861.

Dutch Naval Officer: François Ewout Spiering

François Ewout Spiering served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He was born about 1660 and died at Hoorn on 13 March 1740. He was promoted to captain in 1702. About 1713, he ship, the Wapen van Utrecht (64 guns) was driven ashore by the wind at Port Mahon. He was appointed as a Schout-bij-Nacht in 1719. He cruised with his squadron in the Channel in 1726. He asked for his discharge from the service on 8 January 1728, when he was about 67 years old. He was burgomeester of Hoorn from 1729 until 1740. Sources:

1. Luc Eekhout, Het Admiralenboek: De Vlagofficieren van de Nederlandse marine 1382-1991, 1992.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1861.

The Dunkirk Admiral Michiel Doorn

Charles Boxer says that Michiel Doorn was actually a Spaniard, Miguel de Orna (or d'Orna), born at Pamplona in the Navarra province in Northern Spain. He typically used a Dutch name, however.

On 18 February 1639, 12 Dunkirk warships, 3 pinnaces, and 5 fluits sailed for La Coruña under command of Michiel Doorn. The fluits carried 2000 Walloon soldiers for the Armada. The Dutch were warned ahead of time, and Tromp set sail to intercept them with 12 ships. A hard-fought battle ensued. The result was that Doorn was forced to return to Dunkirk. The Dutch were heavily damaged and had to withdraw.

In July 1639, when Tromp had gone to the Shetlands, We saw how the Vice-Admiral de With was sent to the Channel with seven ships. He joined a squadron there under commandeur Ham, so his ship strength had grown to eleven ships. Shortly after the meeting, eleven sails came into view. It was the Dunkirk fleet, which came from the Shetlands. The commander was Michiel Doorn, who the Spaniards called De Horna. His vice-admiral was Mathijs Rombout. They had two prizes with them, of the ships found at the Shetlands, and a later prize, a Straatsvaarder of the Rotterdam burgemeester Coulster.

On 27 August 1639, when the Spanish Armada sailed from La Coruña, Michiel Doorn was on board Admiral Oquendo's flagship Santiago to advise him. Doorn's Vice-Admiral, Mathijs Rombout, was on board the Nuestra Senora de Monteagudo.

Sources:

1. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Duinkerkers, 1949.
2. Charles R. Boxer, The Journal of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp Anno 1639, 1930.

Dutch Captain: Constantijn van Langenhoven

Constantijn van Langenhoven served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He lived from 1662 to 1719. He was appointed a captain in 1698. In 1711, he protected the Spanish Queen in Barcelona. He commanded the ship Loosdregt (or Loosdrecht) (64 guns). He was there with Captain Deyman, who commanded another 64-gun ship, the Leeuw. Sources:

1. Anthonie Heinsius (Institut voor Nederlandse Zeegeschiedenis), Brieven van Anthonie Heinsius 1702-1720.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1861.