English Captain: Henry Bethell

Henry Bethell served in the Parliamentarian navy. In 1642, he was captain of the Mary Rose (26 guns). Robert Fox had preceded him in command, as Robert Fox had commanded the Mary Rose in the Summer Guard for 1642. This was the 300 ton ship built at Deptford in 1623. She was eventually wrecked on the Flanders coast in 1650. In 1643, he commanded the 2nd Rate James (50 guns and a crew of 260 men), and served in the Summer Guard for 1643. From 1644 to 1645, he commanded the 3rd Rate Bonaventure (557 tons, 36 guns, and a crew of 170 men). He was assigned to the Summer Guard for 1644. In the Summer Guard for 1645, he was assigned to the "North Squadron". He commanded the 3rd Rate Leopard in the Summer Guard for 1646. He was stationed in the Downs. From 1647 to 1648, he commanded the 3rd Rate Garland. In the Summer Guard for 1647, he was assigned to the Western Guard. For the Summer Guard of 1648, he was appointed as a Rear-Admiral as of 17 March 1648. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. House of Commons Journal, Volume 5, 17 March 1648.
3. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.