English Captain: Sir John Ernle (or Ernley)

Sir John Ernle served in the Restoration navy. He started his career as lieutenant of the Rainbow in 1664. The next we see is that he was appointed lieutenant of the Hampshire in 1670. Finally, Sir Edward Spragge appointed him as lieutenant of the Rupert in 1671. Finally, in 1672, he was appointed captain of the Dover (48 guns). He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he was assigned to Sir John Harman's division. Later in the year, he commanded the Revenge (60 guns). In August 1672, he commanded the Revenge in Sir John Harman's division. In 1673, Prince Rupert appointed him captain of the 2nd Rate Henry. He probably fought in the Schooneveld battles and surely fought in the Battle of the Texel in August 1673. On 21 July 1674, the King appointed him captain of the 4th Rate Foresight. On 2 April 1677, he was appointed to command the Woolwich. Finally, on 12 March 1678 (they called in 1677, under the old calendar), the King appointed Sir John Ernle to command the Defiance. I thought that he might be referenced by Clowes, but he is not. 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: Peter Bowen

Peter Bowen served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. He served long, but had relatively few commands. From 1653 to 1657, he commanded the Irish prize Mayflower. From 1658 to 1660, he commanded the 5th Rate Bradford (renamed Success after the Restoration), so he was continuously employed during the Commonwealth, from 1653 on to the Restoration. He was continued in command of the now renamed Success in 1660. In 1666, he was appointed to command the Dutch prize Mathias (54 guns). He fought in the Four Days Battle, where he was assigned to Sir Joseph Jordan's division. Later in 1666, he was appointed by the Duke of Albemarle and Prince Rupert to command the Newcastle (50 guns). He fought in the St. James's Day Battle and was assigned to Sir Robert Holmes' division. In 1669, he was appointed to command the Centurion. He was serving under Sir Thomas Allin's command. In 1672, he was appointed to command the Leopard (54 guns). He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he was assigned to the Earl of Sandwich's division. He survived the Battle of Solebay, and in August 1672, he was assigned to Richard Beach's division in the fleet. He died in 1672, but it must have been after January, as he was given command of a group of ships in February 1673 (they called the year 1672, under the old calendar). I don't have a source that mentions the circumstances of his death. 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. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

4. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.

5. 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.

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

English Captain: Butler Noades

Butler Noades served in the Commonwealth navy. He commanded the Success (36 guns and a crew of 150 men) from 1651 to 1652. On 30 October 1651, he was involved in convoying ships and operating off of Scotland. He was killed in action. We know almost nothing about him. He commanded the French prize Success in February 1652, but he doesn't appear afterwards. He was assigned to the Summer Guard for 1652, which was made inoperative by the start of the war in May. Anderson only notes that Butler Noades was killed. By the Battle of Plymouth, William Kendall commanded the Success. 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. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

4. House of Commons Journal Volume 7 30 October 1651
5. House of Commons Journal Volume 7 14 January 1652

English Captain: Sir Richard Munden

Sir Richard Munden, Andrew says, was elder brother of Sir John Munden, who also served in the Restoration navy. In 1666, Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle appointed him to command the Swallow ketch. In 1667, he commanded the Portsmouth sloop. In 1672, he was appointed to command the 3rd Rate Princess (54 guns). He was assigned to Richard Beach's division in August 1672. In 1673, he commanded the 4th Rate Assistance. On 14 April 1677, he was appointed to command the St. David. Andrew found more about him:

He was a naval captain, the elder brother of Sir John Munden. He first commanded at sea in 1666. He was a naval captain in 1672. He was knighted for capturing St. Helena from the Dutch in 1673. He was governor from 1673 to 1674. He convoyed trade in the Mediterranean from 1677 to 1680. He also seized three very richly laden Dutch East Indiamen.

Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.

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

English Captain: John Tyrwhitt

John Tyrwhitt served in the Restoration navy. On 20 September 1660, he was appointed to command the Happy Return. In 1661, he commanded the 4th Rate Assurance. In 1663, he was appointed to command the old 4th Rate Providence. In 1665, he was appointed to command the Reserve. In 1666, the Duke of Albermarle and Prince Rupert gave him command of the Henrietta. In 1668, he was appointed to command the Swallow. Later in 1668, he commanded the Speedwell. In 1669, he was given command of the Falcon. In 1670, he commanded the 4th Rate Adventure. On 11 July 1686, the King appointed him to command the 4th Rate Tiger. On 22 April 1687, he was appointed by the King to command the Nonsuch. Then, on 15 September 1688, the King appointed him to command the 3rd Rate Cambridge. 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: John Wilgress

John Wilgress served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1656, he commanded the Blackmoor ketch (12 guns). In 1660, he commanded the Dutch prize Bear. After the Restoration, the King commissioned him to continue commanding the Bear. In 1664, he commanded the prize Hector (22 guns). Later in 1664, he commanded the East India Merchant (44 guns), which he commanded from 5 September 1664 until 12 December 1665. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, and then operated with the main fleet during the operation to Norway. He also fought in the engagements on 3 September and 9 September 1665. Late in 1665, he again he was appointed to command the Bear and then the Marmaduke, although this seems unlikely from the dates supplied by Frank Fox for his command of the East India Merchant. In 1666, Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle appointed John Wilgress to command the House of Swedes (70 guns). He fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was assigned to Sir Jeremy Smith's division. In 1670, he commanded the Dutch prize Welcome. In 1671, he was appointed to command the Assistance. Andrew reports that John Wilgress was one of those men who had paid Samuel Pepys 30s. for an officer's commission. John Wilgress was one of those who was in the Edward Montagu's squadron that brought Charles II back to England for the Restoration. 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. 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: William Poole

William Poole (Senior) served in the Restoration navy. In 1660, he commanded the 6th Rate Martin. In 1661, he commanded the Charity. In 1663, he commanded the Advice, and then in According to Thomas Allin's journal, William Poole was captain of the 2nd Rate London in 1664, and acted as senior officer of the fleet, when Admirals Teddiman and Allin were absent. 1665, he was reappointed to command the Advice (40 guns). He fought at the Battle of Lowestoft, where he was assigned to Rear-Admiral Robert Sansum's division. Somewhat later in 1665, he was said to have commanded the 2nd Rate St. George, but Frank Fox has him still in the Advice in June 1666, in the Thames, repairing, during the Four Days Battle. In 1666, he commanded the 3rd Rate Mary. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle in the Mary (58 guns), where he was assigned to Sir Jeremy Smith's division. In 1667, he commanded the Crown. In 1669, he was appointed to command the Jersey. In 1672, he was appointed to command the Plymouth, and then the St. David. On 27 February 1676, the King appointed him to command the Leopard. On 11 September 1678, the King appointed him captain of the Happy Return. Then, on 21 June 1685, the King appointed him captain of the Samuel and Mary. 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
3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Sir John Wetwang

Sir John Wetwang served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he commanded the 5th Rate Norwich. He took part in the attack on Bergen on 2 August 1665. In 1666, he commanded the Tiger. At the time of the Four Days Battle, he was at Plymouth in the Tiger. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle on 25 July 1666, where he was assigned to Robert Holmes' division. In 1668, he commanded the Dunkirk and then the Edgar. In 1672, he was again given command of the Edgar (70 guns). He fought in the Battle of Solebay in the Edgar, where he was assigned to the Earl of Sandwich's division. In August 1672, he was assigned to Sir Edward Spragge's division. Later in 1672, he was in the Warspite. In 1673, he was in the 2nd Rate Henry, then the 1st Rate Sovereign in July as Prince Rupert's flag captain. He was given command of the Newcastle on 10 November 1673. In January 1678, he commanded the Monmouth. On 28 March 1678, he was given the 1st Rate Royal James. On 21 June 1679, he was given command of the Northumberland. On 21 October 1679, he was given command of the Woolwich. He was knighted on 20 November 1680. He died in 1684. 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 Battleof the Texel August 11, 1673”, 1908.
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 RoyalNavy 1660-1815, 1994.
5. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in thePepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Wapen van der Vere

I had not picked up on the last item that I hope to be receiving soon: "the account of the directors of Veere concerning the extraordinary equipment of the warship 'Wapen van der Vere'." I suspect that the name of Jan Olivierszoon's ship was Wapen van der Vere, given this, as he served the Veere Directors during the First Anglo-Dutch War. Perhaps there are even specifications and armament, if this is anything like what I have from the Amsterdam Directors.

English Captain: Sir William Reeves

Sir William Reeves served in the Restoration navy. In 1664, he was lieutenant of the Henrietta. Later in 1664, he was appointed captain of the Mary Rose (48 guns) and fought at the Battle of Lowestoft in Prince Rupert's division. In 1665, he commanded the Essex (56 guns). At the Four Days Battle, his ship had become tangled with the Black Bull, and they both were taken by Hendrick Bruynsvelt in the Prins Hendrick Casimir (72 guns). Apparently, in the battle, Captain Reeves had been shot in the head, while his ship had been severely damaged. He could not speak, and the Essex fouled the Black Bull, which was also all but disabled. In 1668, he commanded the Monck. In 1673, he first commanded the Edgar and then the Sovereign. He was appointed Prince Rupert's flag captain on 1 July 1673. He died of wounds from the Battle of the Texel on 11 August 1673. He had been a Royal favorite, and was extremely well regarded. 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. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

I am waiting anxiously for a package from the Zeeuws Archief

Hopefully, I have a package coming from the Zeeuws Archief with copies relating the the Zeeland Directors' ships and captains from 1652-1653. I have known about them for about a year-and-a-half, and finally was able to order them. They were described to me as:

At the Zeeuws Archief you can find information about 'director's ships' in the accounts in the archives of the Rekenkamer van Zeeland (Zeeland auditor's office) (Zeeuws Archief, Arch. Rekenkamer II, inv.nrs. 1179a en 1179b). You can in these archives you can also consult the following accounts (both approved by the Generaliteitsrekenkamer): - the account of the directors of Vlissingen concerning the extraordinary outlay for the equipment of warships for the actions against England by the order of the States General. - the account of the directors of Veere concerning the extraordinary equipment of the warship 'Wapen van der Vere'.

Who knows what is there, but I have high hopes for it. I have also attempted to order the search in the Nationaal Archief for the "Staet van Oorlog te Water" for the year 1648. A careful reading of Dr. Elias' work Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen indicates that it was in existence in the period 1916 to 1930 in what was then the Rijksarchief. There also appear to be other lists that I have not seen, primarily from 1652.

English Captain: Jeffrey Dare

Jeffrey Dare served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1653, he commanded the hired merchantman Prosperous (42 guns). He was in Robert Blake's squadron which arrived late at the Battle of the Gabbard. He probably fought at the Battle of Scheveninge, as well. From 1653 to 1654, he commanded the hired merchantman Mary Rose. In 1654, he commanded the Dutch prize Tulip. From 1655 to 1657, he commanded the Dutch prize Bear. In 1660, he commanded the Great Gift. In 1666, he commanded the House de Swedes, and was killed in action at the Four Days Battle in June 1666. 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. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Thomas Page

Thomas Page served in the Restoration navy. In 1661, he was appointed to command the 5th Rate Nightingale. In 1664, he commanded the 5th Rate Pearl and then the Newcastle (48 guns). He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he was assigned to Christopher Myngs' division. He was assigned to John Coppin's division at the Four Days Battle, still in the Newcastle, now carrying 50 guns. He was wounded in the battle. Later in 1666, he commanded the Breda. In 1667, he was appointed to command the Dutch prize West Friesland. In 1668, he commanded the Falcon. For whatever reason, after that, he was a lieutenant on the Foresight. In 1669, he was back in command of the Pearl. In 1672, he commanded the Wivenhoe pink and boats at Sheerness DY. In 1673, he commanded the Francis. 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: Richard Trevanion

In 1665, he was appointed Lieutenant on the 4th Rate Providence. In July 1666, he was appointed captain of the Marmaduke. At the time of the St. James's Day Battle, the Marmaduke lay either in the Thames or Medway for want of a men for the crew. Later in 1666, he was given command of the Dartmouth. In 1670, he commanded the Richmond. In 1672, he commanded the Bonaventure (46 guns) and then the Dreadnought. He commanded the Bonaventure at the Battle of Solebay, where he was assigned to Sir John Kempthorne's division. He was closely engaged in the battle around the Earl of Sandwich. By August 1672, he commanded the Dreadnought (58 guns) and was in Sir Joseph Jordan's division. On 9 March 1674, he was given command of the Dartmouth. On 22 April 1675, he was appointed as captain of the Jersey. Almost immediately, on 28 April, he was reassigned to the Yarmouth. On 21 July 1677, he was given command of the 6th Rate Saudadoes. On 12 May 1678, he was given command of the Montagu. Later in the year, on 26 October, he was moved back to the Saudadoes. On 22 October 1681, he was again appointed captain of the Saudadoes. Then, on 2 April 1685, the King appointed him to again command the Saudadoes. On 22 April 1687, he was given command of the Hampshire. Finally, on 17 September 1688, he was given command of the Henrietta. 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. 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: Thomas Salmon

Thomas Salmon served in the Commonwealth navy. In 1653, he commanded the Great Gift (34 guns), and was killed in action. He fought at the Battle of Portland from 18 February to 20 February 1653. He was assigned to Joseph Jordan's division at the Battle of the Gabbard. Thomas Salmon may have been killed at the Battle of Scheveningen, although I have not been able to confirm that. Certainly be December, someone else commanded the Gift. 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.V, 1912.
4. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.

I've been slowed down, yesterday, as my wireless router went down

I have some new material, but my wireless route went down yesterday, and he earliest that I may be up again (at home) will be later tonight. There seems to be plenty of new material about English captains and admirals from the Commonwealth and Restoration navies.

English Captain: Thomas Adams

Thomas Adams definitely served in the Commonwealth navy, and it may have been him who served in the Restoration navy, as well. It turns out that Thomas Adams had served with Robert Blake, in the Parliamentarian army, at Taunton. In May 1652, he was Blake's lieutenant. From 1652 to 1653, he commanded the Dutch prize Paul (30 guns). He took part in the operation into the Sound under the command of Andrew Ball in September 1652. From 1654 to 1657, he commanded the Maidstone. He apparently behaved very badly at Teneriffe, in 1657, when many of the men were greedy for prizes. Blake finally had to order the ships burnt. In 1665, the King appointed Thomas Adams as lieutenant on the King Ferdinando. In 1666, he was promoted to First Lieutenant of the 2nd Rate Unicorn. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.
3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Edward Witheridge

Edward Witheridge served in the Commonwealth navy. From 1651 to 1652, he commanded the hired merchantman Success (30 guns). He fought at the Battle of Plymouth, under the command of Sir George Ayscue. From 1652 to 1653, he commanded the Dutch prize Princess Maria. In 1653, he commanded the Dutch prize Middelburg. From 1653 to 1655, he commanded the 4th Rate Kentish. He set sail with Blake from Plymouth, bound for the Mediterranean Sea, in October 1654. In February 1655, he was with the blockading fleet at Tunis. In April, he took part in the attack at Porto Farina. In September, he was with the ships dispatched to England. In 1659, he commanded the Plymouth. 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.

English Captain: William Hill, after the Restoration

Andrew noticed that William Hill had served in the Restoration navy. In 1661, he was appointed by the King to command the Dutch prize Augustine. In 1663, he was appointed to command the Dutch prize Elias. In 1664, he was appointed to command the 5th Rate prize Coventry. In May 1665, the Coventry was at Portsmouth, and did not participate in the Battle of Lowestoft. In June 1666, he was on a convoy to Barbadoes at the time of the Four Days Battle. He was at Barbadoes on 25 July 1666, when the St. James's Day Battle was fought. 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: William Hill

William Hill served in the Commonwealth navy. From 1652 to 1653, he commanded the 4th Rate Sapphire (34 guns). He fought at the Battle of Dungeness in the Sapphire. In early 1653, he was at the Battle of Portland. In 1653 he commanded the 4th Rate Diamond (42 guns) and fought at the Battle of the Gabbard in the Generals' division. He was also very likely at the Battle of Scheveningen. From 1653 to 1655, he commanded the small 3rd Rate Worcester. In November, he commanded a squadron of 6 frigates which were assigned to look for the French squadron. Blake was dissatisfied with his performance and replaced him with another squadron of 5 ships. In early 1655, he reconnoitered Tunis and considered a boat attack, but eventually settled for a blockade. In 1656, he commanded the Speaker, and then resigned, as he refused to fight the Spanish, except in the Channel. 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 Frisian ship: Stad en Lande

The Stad en Lande that served the Admiralty of Friesland was built in 1653 at Groningen. Her dimensions were 134ft x 34ft x 14ft. In August 1665, she was Vice-Admiral Rudolf Coender's flagship. She carried 54 guns and had a crew of 215 sailors and 42 land soldiers. At the Four Days Battle in 1666, Joost Hermanszoon Clant commanded her. She was ared with 52 guns consisting of 12-18pdr, 16-12pdr, 14-8pdr, 4-6pdr and 6 of unknown size. Her crew was 200 sailors and 28 land soldiers. In June 1667, Roelof Janszoon Ketelaar commanded the Stad en Lande. At that date, she carried 50 guns and had a crew of 265 sailors and 35 land soldiers. By July 1667, she carried 54 guns and was still commanded by Captain Ketelaar. She was last mentioned in 1676. 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 Dutch prize Slothany (ex-Sloot Hooningen)

The English had captured the VOC ship Sloot Hooningen in 1665. She had fought at Bergen, when an English attack was repulsed. On the way back home, she was bagged, as part of the "Indian Prize". She was renamed Slothany, and fought at the Four Days Battle. She was in Sir Joseph Jordan's division at the St. James's Day Battle. In 1667, she was hulked. She was finally sold in 1686. She had been built at Rotterdam in 1654 and had Dutch dimensions of 160ft x 38ft x 18-1/2ft. Her English dimenions were LK 112ft B 36ft D 16ft-10in. She was built to the 160ft Retourschip charter. At the Four Days Battle, she carried 22-demi-cannon (32pdr), 2-culverins (18pdr), 24-12pdr, and 12-demi-culverins (9pdr). Her crew was 280 men. She was commanded by Thomas Rand for the Four Days Battle. 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.

English Captain: Richard White

Richard White served in the Restoration navy. He was a lieutenant on the Royal James in 1664. In 1665, he was given command of the 6th Rate Martin. From there, he was given command of the Milford later in 1665. In 1668, he was the Sovereign's lieutenant, and then lieutenant on the Falcon. In 1669, he was the Speedwell's lieutenant. He 1671, he commanded the Algier. In 1672, he commanded the Warspite. He fought at the Schooneveld battles, where he was killed in action in June 1673 in the second battle. Sources:

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

English Captain: Nathaniel Cobham

Nathaniel Cobham served in the Commonwealth navy. In 1652, he commanded the 6th Rate Sun. From 1653 to 1655, he commanded the 4th Rate Newcastle. On 31 March 1655, Nathaniel Cobham lead the attack on the Turks in Tunisia at Porto Farina. It was a route, as the Turkish crews abandoned their ships, when the attack occurred. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.

English Captain: Robert Mohun

In 1660, Robert Mohun was appointed Lieutenant of the Resolution by King Charles II. In 1661, he was promoted and given command of the Fairfax. In 1662, he commanded the Satisfaction. In 1663, he was given command of the Oxford. In 1665, he commanded the 4th Rate Portsmouth (38 guns) and fought at the Battle of Lowestoft. Later in 1665, he went to Tangier with Sir Jeremy Smith. He fought in the Four Days Battle, still in the Portsmouth, in Sir Edward Spragge's division. In 1666, he commanded the Dreadnought (58 guns) and fought in the St. James's Day 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.

The English in the Mediterranean Sea in 1671

Early in the year, a "disgraceful event" happened with Captain John Pearce ran the Sapphire (38 guns) ashore on Sicily, after sighting 4 ships which he supposed were Algerines. Pearce and his lieutenant were court martialed and shot for their trouble. In May, Arthur Herbert (later Lord Torrington), in the Dragon, was in a running fight for three days, chasing two Algerines. Later in May, Sir Edward Spragge lead an attack on Algerine pirates in Bugia Bay. An attempt was made on May 2, but it failed with the futile expenditure of the fireship Eagle. A second attempt was made on May 8th, "in broad daylight". The Little Victory was used as a fireship (under the command of Leonard Harris). Lieutenants Edward Pinn of the Mary and John Pearce of the Dragon, "who commanded the boats" and the survivors on the Little Victory succeeded in destroying all the Algerines. The Algerines sued for peace, and while negotiations proceeded, Captain John Holmes, in the Diamond, took and burnt one Algerine and drove another ashore. Source:

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

English Captain: Thomas Vallis

Thomas Vallis served in the Commonwealth navy. From 1650 to 1651, he commanded the 6th Rate Nicodemus. From 1651 to 1654, he commanded the old 4th Rate Expedition (32 guns and a crew of 140 men). He fought in the Battle of the Gabbard, where he was assigned to Lionel Lane's division. We can presume that he also fought at the Battle of Scheveningen. He and his ship were in the active list for September 1653. In December 1653, his ship was with those lying at Chatham. From 1654 to 1655, he commanded the new 4th Rate Taunton. 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.

Abraham DuQuesne's division at Solebay

The greatest French naval officer of the 17th Century was Abraham DuQuesne, who was a Huguenot. At the Battle of Solebay, the French formed the Van or White Squadron. DuQuesne's division was in the lead of the White Squadron. The following ships were in his squadron, presumably in this order:

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

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: Benjamin Gunston

Benjamin Gunston served in the Commonwealth navy. In 1653, he commanded the hired merchantman Chase (22 guns). He likely fought in the Battle of Portland from 18-20 February 1653. On March 30th, 1653, he sailed the Chase with William Penn's squadron from Portsmouth. From 1656 to 1657, he commanded the 6th Rate Truelove (12 guns). 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. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.

English Captain: John Grimsditch

John Grimsditch served in the Commonwealth navy. I don't believe that the John Grimsditch who was a lieutenant in April of 1685 was the same man. In 1651, he commanded the Alexander prize. From 1657 to 1658, he commanded the Dutch prize Princess Maria. From 1658 to 1659, he commanded the Dutch prize Elias. From 1659 til 1660, he commanded the 4th Rate Elizabeth. 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. 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.

English Captain: Thomas Large

Thomas Large served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. From 1656 to 1660, he commanded the 6th Rate Lark (10 guns). The Lark was probably a Royalist prize. Upon the Restoration, King Charles II appointed to continue commanding the Lark. In one more general ship list in Tanner, the Lark is shown as a 6th Rate of 10 guns with a crew of 40 men. I see that the Lark was "sold as useless" in October 1663. The Lark (or Larke) was 52ft x 17ft-6in x 8ft-8in. Her navigational draft was about 8ft-10in. The more detailed list gives the armament as only 8 guns. The Lark was Thomas Large's only command in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. 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.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Richard Swanley

Richard Swanley served in the Parliamentarian navy and King Charles's navy before that. From 1640 to 1641, he is known to have commanded the Mary Rose. From 1642 to 1643, he commanded the 2nd Rate Charles (250 men) in the Summer Guard for 1642. In 1643, he was Admiral commanding the ships of the Irish Guard with his flag on the 3rd Rate Bonaventure (36 guns and a crew of 170 men). From 1644 to 1645, he flew his flag, as Admiral commanding the Irish Guard, on the 3rd Rate Leopard (38 guns and a crew of 160 men). Powell only lists him as commanding the Leopard in the Summer Guard for 1644. He does list him as commanding the Irish Guard, as Admiral, for the Summer Guard for 1645, with his flag on the Lion. Anderson says he was "suspended", although I'm not sure of the result, for he was back as Admiral commanding the Irish Guard from 1646 to 1647, with his flag on the Lion. Powell has him commanding the 2nd Rate Charles, in the Summer Guard for 1646, at Chatham, which seems like a mistake. For the Winter Guard in 1646, he was definitely Admiral commanding the Irish Guard, with his flag in the Lion, as he was for the Summer Guard for 1647 (in this list as a Vice-Admiral). In 1648, he may have commanded the 2nd Rate Unicorn, although I can't verify that in Powell's work. Michael Baumber says that Richard Swanley died in 1650. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-At-Sea, 1989.
3. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

English Captain: Richard Rooth

Richard Rooth served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1655 he commanded the Hound and then the Bear. From 1656 to 1660, he commanded the 5th Rate Dartmouth. At the Restoration, he was reappointed by King Charles II as captain of the Dartmouth. In 1663, he was given command of the 6th Rate Harp. In 1664, he was again given command of the Dartmouth. In 1667, he was appointed to command the 4th Rate St. David. In 1668, he was given command of the Garland. From there, he became First Lieutenant of the 2nd Rate Victory in 1672. In 1673, he was given command of the 3rd Rate Lion, and then was moved to the newly completed 3rd Rate Swiftsure. On 9 March 1674, he was appointed by the King to command the 4th Rate Adventure. On 12 April 1678, he was appointed to command the 3rd Rate Monmouth. He died before 1688, after having a long career in the navy. 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.

7 of the 36 ships of 1651

I still don't have a complete list of the 36 "cruisers" funded by the "36 ships of 1651". We do know the names of the 7 ships provided by the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier:

1. Prinses Roijael, 34 guns Captain Albert Corneliszoon 't Hoen crew 140
2. Jonge Prins, 28 guns Captain Cornelis Barentszoon Slordt crew 115
3. Eendracht, 40 guns Captain Jacob de Boer crew 140
4. Alckmaar, 28 guns Captain Jan Warnaertszoon Capelman crew 95
5. Monnikendam, 36 guns Captain Pieter Florissen crew 138
6. Wapen van Enkhuizen, 34 guns Captain Gerrit Femssen crew 110
7. Stad van Medemblick, 30 guns Captain Pieter Schellinger crew 110

English Captain: Richard Newberry

Richard Newberry served in the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navies. In 1648, he commanded the Hunter dogger. He was appointed, in Parliament, on 13 April 1648. In 1649, he commanded the Irish prize Dolphin (6 guns). From 1650 to 1651, he commanded the 6th Rate Lily (12 guns). From 1651 to 1652, he commanded the 5th Rate Swan (22 guns). He fought in the Battle of Dungeness, in command of the Swan. In 1653, he commanded the 3rd Rate Entrance (43 guns). He commanded the Entrance in the Battle of the Gabbard, where he was in Vice-Admiral Joseph Jordan's division. He probably fought at the Battle of Scheveningen, as well. From 1653 to 1654, he commanded the 4th Rate Laurel (48 guns). From 1654 to 1656, he commanded the 4th Rate Portland (about 40 guns). From 1656 to 1657, he commanded the 3rd Rate Gloucester. 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. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.

English Captain: Robert Dennis

Robert Dennis served in the Commonwealth navy. In 1649, he commanded the 2nd Rate George. In 1650, he commanded the hired merchantman Peregrine. From 1651 to 1652, he commanded the John (32 guns and a crew of 120 men). He had Edmund Curtis under his command, in the Guinea frigate (32 guns and a crew of 140 men), and was sent to Virginia in 1652. Robert Dennis apparently stayed in America, as a colonist. If you search for him in Google, you will find more ("Robert Dennis" 1652 john virginia). Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Dr. S. R. Gardiner, The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
3. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930. (index)
4. House of Commons Journal Vol.7: 14 January 1652

English Captain: Thomas Heath

Thomas Heath served in the Commonwealth navy. He commanded the hired merchantman Brazil frigate from 1651 to 1653. He had been with Sir George Ayscue on the voyage to Barbadoes. At that point she carried 24 guns and had a crew of 70 men. He was probably at the Battle of Plymouth, with Ayscue, on 16 August 1652. He fought at the Battle of Portland in early 1653. By that time, the Brazil frigate carried 30 guns. He was in John Lawson's division at the Battle of the Gabbard. John Lawson was Admiral of the Blue. The Brazil frigate was paid off after the battle, as the owner wanted her for a commercial voyage. 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. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

English Captain: Peter Strong

Peter Strong served both the Parliametarian and Commonwealth navies. From 1642 to 1643, he commanded the hired merchantman Peter (14 guns, with a crew of 81 men and having a 270 ton burden). He was in the Summer and Winter Guards for 1642, assigned to the Irish Sea and Irish coast. In the winter, he was under command of Mr. Thompson. In 1643, he continued in the Summer Guard, assigned to the Irish coast. In 1653, he successively commanded the 2nd Rates George, Unicorn, and Rainbow. He joined the fleet on May 30, 1653, before the Battle of the Gabbard (in the Unicorn, 50 guns). He was probably present for 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. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

I'm working on an updated OOB for the Battlle of the Kentish Knock

I am relooking at my OOB for the Battle of the Kentish Knock, and bringing it up to date, with the latest information that I have. For one thing, we now know that William Badiley was at the battle, in command of the Dolphin, a vessel of 470 tons. I estimate her armament to be 34 guns, based on comparable ships. William Badiley was removed after the battle, as he showed a lack of judgment, despite having a reckless courage that in some ways mimicked that of Robert Blake. Michael Baumber tells the story reasonably well in General-at-Sea.

I will be analyzing Hainsworth's and Churches' book

Hainsworth's and Churches' book about the Anglo-Dutch Wars, The Anglo-Dutch Naval Wars 1652-1674 (1998), is currently the most accessible work for most English-speakers. I am thinking that I will at least address their coverage of the First Anglo-Dutch War, and compare it with a somewhat older book, Michael Baumber's General-at-Sea (1989). The overlap between these books is the First Anglo-Dutch War, and both have maps and descriptions of the battles. I will be looking at the Battle of the Kentish Knock first, as that has some immediate interest.

The Dutch prize "Land of Promise"

The Dutch ship, the Land van Beloften (Land of Promise or Promised Land) (24 guns) was captured on July 21, 1652, when Robert Blake attacked the Dutch fishing fleet and their accompanying escort. Her captain was Jan Noblet. The Land van Beloften was a ship hired by the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier, and was one of the "1oo ships of 1652". After the Restoration, she was used as a fireship (if not before that). Her English dimensions were LK=68ft-0in B=23ft-0in D=11ft-0in and a navigational draft of 10ft-8in. Her Engish burden was 191 tons. My estimate of her Dutch dimensions is: L=90ft B=26ft H=12-1/2ft. Depending on the rake, the length could be as great as 94ft. The Dutch dimensions are in Amsterdam feet. The key is:

• LK=length on the keel
• B=beam (English is outside the planking, Dutch is inside)
• D=depth in hold (keel to center of deck)
• L=length from stem to sternpost
• H=hold (the Dutch measured from the keel the height at which the deck connected to the side)

Hired ships that fought in the First Anglo-Dutch War

Thanks to Frank Fox, we know something about a few of the hired ships that fought in the First Anglo-Dutch War. His full article with details (in Part II) is in The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998), pp.152-172. Here are some of the ships:

• Exchange, built 1650, LK=74ft-9in B=28ft-11in Tons=332 18 main deck gun ports (32 guns, crew 120 in 1653)
• John & Abigail, built 1653, LK=79ft B=29ft-2in Tons=357 22 main deck gun ports (in Blake's squadron at the Gabbard)
• King Ferdinando, built 1650, LK=81ft-0in B=30ft-6in Tons=4o1 (36 guns, crew 140 in 1653)
• Prudent Mary, built 1652, LK=76ft-6in B=26ft-6in Tons=284 20 main deck gun ports (28 guns, crew 100 in 1653)
• Society, built 1652, LK=82ft-0in B=27ft-6in Tons=330 18 main deck gun ports (44 guns, crew 140 in 1653)

English Naval Officer: Sir John Pennington

Sir John Pennington served in the navy before the Civil War, and in the Royalist service, after the start, although not at sea. In 1617, he commanded the hired merchantman Star. In 1620, he commanded the hired merchantman Zouch Phoenix. He commanded the 2nd Rate Victory from 1621 to 1622. In 1625, he commanded the 2nd Rate Vanguard. He acted as Admiral in the operation in support of France against the Huguenots. He commanded the 3rd Rate Lion from 1626 to 1627. In 1627, he lead the operation at La Rochelle. Apparently, in 1626 and 1627, the ere were great difficulties in supplying the fleet. They also had trouble manning the ships. In 1631, he commanded the 3rd Rate Convertine. From 1633 to 1634, he commanded the 2nd Rate Unicorn. In 1635, he was Rear-Admiral with his flag on the 2nd Rate Swiftsure. From 1636 to 1638, he was Vice-Admiral with his flag on the 2nd Rate St. Andrew. In 1636, Edward Popham was his flag lieutenant. In 1639, he flew his Admiral's flag on the 2nd Rate Rainbow, and was notable for having witnessed the Dutch attack the Spanish armada in English home waters at the Battle of the Downs. In 1640, he flew his admiral's flag on the 2nd Rate James. In 1641, he was back in the St. Andrew. He obviously sided with the Royalists in the Civil War. Sir John Pennington was notable for consulting his officers when making difficult decisions. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.
3. N.A.M. Rodger, The Safeguard of the Sea, 1997.

English Captain: John Day

John Day served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. Andrew says that he saw a reference that shows that John Day commanded the Old Warwick (20 guns and a crew of 80 men) in 1651. In 1652, he was captain of the Advice (42 guns) and fought at the Battle of the Kentish Knock. R. C. Anderson lists John Day as the captain of the hired merchantman Sapphire in 1650. Michael Baumber says that John Day was wounded at the Battle of Portland, while commanding the Advice. In 1938, Anderson did not list John Day and the Advice as being at the Kentish Knock. He writes that George Deakins was in command at the Kentish Knock. The Advice was not present at the Gabbard, and at Scheveningen, Jeremy Smith was captain. In 1664, John Day was Lieutenant of the Royal Katherine. In 1666, he was appointed as captain of the Baltimore (48 guns). Sir Thomas Allin criticized John Day at the St. James's Day Battle for not bringing his ship into the line, along with others. He was in Sir Thomas Teddiman's division in the battle. 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: Richard Owen

Richard Owen served in the Parliamentarian navy. In 1642, he commanded the 3rd Rate Entrance (with a crew of 160 men), and was assigned to the Summer Guard. In 1643, he commanded the 2nd Rate St. George (46 guns and a crew of 260 men), and was a Rear-Admiral. He was assigned to the Summer Guard for 1643. From 1644 to 1645, he commanded the 3rd Rate Garland (40 guns and a crew of 170 men), and was still a Rear-Admiral. He was in the Summer Guard for 1644 and commanded a squadron of 7 ships and a ketch in the Summer Guard for 1645. In 1647, he commanded the 2nd Rate Henrietta Maria, as Rear-Admiral, and commanded the Western Guard. 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.

English Captain: Richard Pittock

Richard Pittock served in the Commonwealth navy and commanded many small vessels. In 1649, he commanded the Galliot hoy. From 1650 to 1653, he commanded the Hare ketch (12 guns and a crew of 30 men). He is listed in September 1653, as still being in command. In 1654, he commanded the 5th Rate Swan (22 guns). In 1656, he commanded the Cat pink. From 1657 to 1660, he commanded the Swallow pink. The same vessel could be rigged as a pink, a ketch, or shallop. The often had a round stern in the early 1650's. 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.

English Captain: Edward Greene

Edward Greene served in the Commonwealth navy. He commanded the Adventure (38 guns), a hired merchantman, in 1653. At the Battle of the Gabbard, he was assigned to John Lawson's division. John Lawson was Admiral of the Blue at the Gabbard. He probably fought at the Battle of Scheveningen, as well. By December, the Adventure as assigned to escorting colliers, but Edward Greene had been replaced by Joseph Taylor. 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.

Colorful characters

The English and Dutch navies, in the First Anglo-Dutch War, were filled with colorful characters, like Witte de With, Michiel De Ruyter, Robert Blake, and William Penn. In the Netherlands, the environment was fired by the ongoing conflict between the Royalists (the Orangists) and the Republicans. Witte de With was a rabid Republican, which made him a very unpopular man. Often, his ill temper is blamed, but more important factors were his demand for every man to fight bravely, without regard for risk to his person, his rivalry with the Orangist Maarten Tromp, and his ardent Republicanism.

On the English side, there were the radical supporters of Cromwell, especially Richard Deane, and less so, Robert Blake. Then there were closet Royalists, such as William Penn. At one point, William Penn had offered to bring ships and men over to the Royalists. He was a suspect, and at one point was imprisoned, but he survived until the Restoration, where he was a trusted advisor to the Duke of York. After his death, Charles II deeded land in America to the Penn family, in honor of the elder William Penn's service to the Royal family, the navy, and England.

English Captain and Admiral: Thomas Teddiman

Thomas Teddiman served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. He was the cousin of Henry Teddiman. From 1659 to 1660, he commanded the3rd Rate Tredagh. He continued in command after the Restoration, when the ship was renamed Resolution. In 1661, he took command of the 3rd Rate Fairfax. In 1663, he took command of the 4th Rate Kent. In 1664, he took command of the 3rd Rate Revenge, and then was transferred to the 2nd Rate Swiftsure. In 1665, he took command of the new 2nd Rate Royal Katherine. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he was Rear-Admiral of the Blue, with his flag on the Royal Katherine (70 guns). In August, he led the attack on the Dutch in Bergen, flying his flag on the Revenge. The attack went very badly, and a combination of Danish shore batteries and Dutch East Indiamen badly damaged the English ships, which were forced to withdraw. Thomas Teddiman, as Vice-Admiral of the Blue, again with his flag on the Royal Katherine, fought at the Four Days Battle. At the St. James's Day Battle, he was Vice-Admiral of the White, still with his flag on the Royal Katherine. In 1668, he took command of the 3rd Rate Cambridge. He died in 1668. 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, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

I spoke with Frank Fox, and he pointed out the captains list in "Pepys"

I spoke with Frank Fox over the weekend, and he pointed out the list of captains who served during the period of 1660 to 1688 in the Navy Records Society publication: A DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE NAVAL MANUSCRIPTS IN THE PEPYSIAN LIBRARY AT MAGDALENE COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. Volume I: General Introduction; Register of Ships; Register of Sea Officers. I have already used it once, since then, in writing about an English captain (Edmund Cubitt, I believe).

English Captain: Edmund Curle

Edmund Curle served in the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1653, he commanded the Mary flyboat (24 guns). Form 1655 to 1657, he commanded the Sparrow pink. In 1658, he commanded the Vulture (a Dunkirker). From 1659 to 1660, he commanded the Maria (Mary Prize). After the Restoration, he was appointed captain in 1661. He died sometime before 1688 (a notation in Pepys). Pepys says that Edmund Curle commanded the Little Mary (the Mary Prize, 14 guns) in 1661. The Little Mary was a Spanish prize captured in 1654. She was taken by the Dutch in 1666. 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. 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.

English Captain: Charles Wager

Charles Wager served in the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1659, he commanded the captured Dutch East Indiaman, the Indian (ex-Amsterdam VOC Roos). In 1660, he commanded the 4th Rate Yarmouth. He was appointed Captain at the Restoration. Frank Fox writes that inn May 1665, Charles Wager commanded the 4th Rate Crown at Tangier. Syrett writes that Charles Wager died on 24 February 1665. The 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. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.

English Captain: Willoughby Hannam (or Hannum)

Willoughby Hannam served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. R.C. Anderson consistently calls his last name "Hannum". Frank Fox calls his name "Hannam". From 1653 to 1654, he commanded the Katherine (36 guns). He was in command of the Katherine in September 1653. His ship was lying "in the Ellice Road" in December. From 1654 to 1656, he commanded the Dutch prize Half Moon (captured at the Gabbard). From 1656 until 1660, he commanded the Kentish (Kent). He was appointed as captain in 1660. In the Battle of Lowestoft, in 1665, he commanded the 2nd Rate Rainbow (56 guns), which was assigned to Prince Rupert's division. In June 1666, he was assigned to the Western Station, and missed the Four Days' Battle. He now commanded the 3rd Rate Resolution. At the St. James's Day Battle, his ship, the Resolution (68 guns) was disabled and burned by the Dutch. Captain Hannam and 1oo of his crew were rescued. He was killed in action on 28 May 1672 (at Solebay), while commanding the 2nd Rate Triumph (70 guns). He was in Vice-Admiral of the Blue, Joseph Jordan's squadron. He obviously had a distinguished career in the navy. 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. 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.

One thing we need is an OOB for the Dutch in the Battle of the Downs in 1639

We have a less-than-adequately detailed OOB for the Spanish side in the Battle of the Downs, thanks to C. R. Boxer, but the Dutch side is even worse. We mostly have a list of captains, with no clear notation even as to what admiralty they served. From a variety of sources, we could assign a few ship names (even some guns) to some of the Dutch list. The booksw about Tromp and the campaign leading up to the Battle of the Downs are some of the available sources. There is the "Staet van Oorlogh te Water" for 1633, but it is probably of little help, except for some ship data. Many ships which undoubtedely fought are not in that list, apparently having been built later. For example, there was the Deventer (28 guns). That was a name apparently not used again until the 1660's. There is a small amount in Doeke Roos' new book, and there may be some other, newer sources (only in Dutch, though). Perhaps I could at least start such a list, and fill in as much as I can find, just to make a start on the project.

English Captain: John Mann

John Mann served in the Parliamentarian navy, and before that was a privateer. In 1644, he commanded the privateer Achilles. In 1645, he commanded the 6th Rate Cygnet in the Summer Guard, for sure, and possibly in the Winter Guard (the captain's name is omitted, but his ship was in the Winter Guard). From 1646 to 1648, he commanded the 3rd Rate Convertine (the former Destiny of Sir Walter Raleigh, not the later Portuguese ship). He was in the Summer Guard for 1646, 1647, and 1648. In 1647, he was assigned to the Downs. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.
3. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

This is another biography of Thomas Rainsborough

Andrew found two biographies of Thomas Rainsborough, the Parliamentarian. This is the second of the two, and can be found at the English Civil War Society of America. The other one is linked and excerpted at 17th Century Naval Wargaming blog. This one starts off:

"Thomas Rainsborow (alias Rainsborough or Rainborowe) was a son of a distinguished sea captain, William Rainsborow (died 1642), and was himself bred to the sea. One of Thomas' sisters married John Winthrop (1588-1649), Governor of Massachusetts, and another married the governor's fourth son, Colonel Stephen Winthrop (1618-58). Thomas had a brother, who was another parliamentarian, Captain William Rainsborow, who was in Colonel Thomas Sheffeild's Regt. of Horse of the New Model Army, and became a major by July 5th, 1647, but was dismissed in 1649.

In 1643 Thomas Rainsborow was in command of the ship 'Swallow', and took a royalist ship that was carrying reinforcements to the King. Then as captain of the ship 'Lion' he landed 100 (possibly 180) of his crew to help Lord Fairfax's defense of Hull, and while himself leading a column of 500 musketeers, was captured in the great sally which terminated the siege (Oct. 11th, 1643). In his account of the fight Lord Fairfax described Rainsborow as a Colonel, which he was continually described as, with his later service as a colonel being all on land."

Dutch Captain: Jan Pieterszoon Tant

Jan Pieterszoon Tant served the Admiralty of Zeeland in the 2nd Anglo-Dutch War. In June 1665, he commanded the advice yacht Dieshoek (6 guns). She had a crew somewhere between 20 and 26 men. In August 1665, he commanded the frigate Zeelandia (36 guns). At the Four Days Battle and St. James's Day Battle, he commanded the Zeeland warship Utrecht (50 guns). The Utrecht had been built in 1653, and carried 2-24pdr, 6-18pdr, 18-12pdr, 22-6pdr, and 2-bases (an archaic swivel gun). The Utrecht had dimensions 134ft x 33ft x 13.5ft, so she was a good bit larger than the smaller and more numerous 130ft ships. I have no further information about him after 1666.

English Captain: Thomas Harrison

Thomas Harrison served in the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navies. From 1647 to 1648, he commanded the 4th Rate Mary Rose. He was assigned to the Winter Guard in 1647 and the Summer Guard in 1648 (and possibly, the Winter Guard). In 1649, he commanded the 4th Rate Phoenix. In 1650, he commanded the 2nd Rate Rainbow. In 1652, he commanded the 2nd Rate Vanguard, but he was superseded by Vice-Admiral William Haddock. In early July 1652, he was ordered by Sir George Ayscue to keep vessels from leaving the Thames, as Tromp was off the Downs. 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. J. J. Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy, 2nd Ed., 1987.
5. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

More thoughts about Zachary (Zacharia) Brown

When you see that Zachary Brown served through the Second Angl0-Dutch War, and fought in all the major battles, it seems clear that his problems in the First Anglo-Dutch War were not representative of what sort of naval officer he was. King Charles II, the Duke of York, Prince Rupert, and the Duke of Albemarle generally did not keep incompetents around. A nasty feature of the Restoration navy was that if you were someone's "favorite", it could still happen, although it was not very likely. I'm not sure if I could give a counterexample. I would need to study A Distant Storm more closely, to be sure.

I am relatively sure that Zachary Brown took part in the Battle of Plymouth and possibly the Battle of the Kentish Knock, before his mishap on the way to join the fleet, after the Battle of Dungeness (which he had missed). I will check this evening, as I don't have access to my copy of Anderson's article about fleet lists.

English Captain: Zachariah Brown

Zacharia (or Zachary) Brown served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. From 1650 to 1652, he commanded the hired merchantman Hercules (34 guns). The Hercules was intercepted and driven ashore after the Battle of Dungeness by Bastiaan Centen in the ship Haes. The Dutch were able to get the ship off, and took it home to the Netherlands. Zacharias Browne was courtmartialed, convicted, and dismissed for incompetence. He seems to have done better in the Restoration navy. He was appointed as a Captain in 1664. Frank Fox says that "Zachary Brown" commanded the 4th Rate Assistance (40 guns) at the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665. He was with Sir Jeremy Smith at Tangier from December 1665 until March 1666. At the Four Days Battle in 1666, Captain Brown still commanded the Assistance and was in Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Teddiman's division. At the St. James's Day Battle, he was in Sir Thomas Allin's division. Sir Thomas Allin was Admiral of the White. In this battle, the Assistance carried 46 guns. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.
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.

Dutch spoken: 17th Century Dutch captains and ships

Marco Schuffelen now has his page with clips of him pronouncing names of 17th Century naval officers and ships. I have heard some of the clips, pre-launch, but I won't be able to listen to all the new material until tonight. I really appreciate his work, as I have wondered about the correct pronunciation for a long time. I had started to learn from my former manager, who is South African, but I have been gone from the spot for 7 months, so I am not getting new input from him. I always think it is better to know how the straight information, and I'm indebted to Marco for his work.

English Captain: Benjamin Firmase

Benjamin Firmase served towards the end of the Commonwealth. From 1659 to 1660, he commanded the 6th Rate Truelove (14 guns). Later in 1660, he commanded the 6th Rate Henrietta pinnace (6 guns). He did not serve after the Restoration (I checked sources to verify that). Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. J. J. Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy, 2nd Ed., 1987.
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.

English Captain: Thomas Rainsborough

Thomas Rainsborough served in the Parliamentarian navy. Michael Baumber calls him "Colonel Thomas Rainsborough". In 1643, he commanded the 3rd Rate Lion, when he was captured while on shore, and freed in a prisoner exchange. From 1647 to 1648, he served as a Vice-Admiral with his flag in a 3rd Rate (either the Happy Entrance or Leopard). In 1648, he flew his Vice-Admiral's flag on the 2nd Rate Constant Reformation, one of the ships that went over to the Royalist side. He was not well-liked, and he was thrown off his ship in the Downs, in April 1648, when the rebellion happened. He had been appointed Vice-Admiral when William Batten was removed from command for conspiring with Royalists and Presbyterians. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.

Breaking the chain at Chatham in the "Raid"

I just read the Netherlands navy history website, as Marco Schuffelen asked me a question about Jan Daniëls van Rijn, captain of the fireship Pro Patria, at the Raid on Chatham in 1667. I was confused by reading the Dutch, but I cheated and used the Systran translation box to translate most of the text. As I had thought, Jan van Brakel, in the Rotterdam ship Vrede (34 guns) had broken the chain. I had not remembered that he had made a misstep at Sheerness.

Friesland in the First Anglo-Dutch War

Friesland started with war with a limited number of hired merchant ships, along with the Omlandia (30 guns), an old ship built in 1628. Friesland was the first admiralty to augment their forces with a new, larger ship. Sometime in the summer of 1652 (presumably), they purchased the Groenewold, and renamed her Groningen. She became the flagship of Hendrick Janszoon Camp in the Battle of Dungeness. The Groningen was heavily damaged in a sharp fight with two English frigates after Dungeness. De Sneuper says that he was back in time for Portland (the Three Days Battle). His lieutenant, Frederick Stellingwerf was proposed to replace him, but he was probably not appointed. Instead, Frederick Stellingwerf was given command of the newly acquired Zevenwolden (38 guns). He fought at the Gabbard and Scheveningen, where his ship was captured and sunk, and he was taken as a prisoner. He later died in the prison. The other, new large Frisian ship was the Kameel (42 guns). This probably was a ship belonging to the Groningen Directors (de Stad en Lande), although at least one contemporary list as well as Dr. Elias, say the ship belonged the Admiralty of Friesland. In The First Dutch War, Vol.V, there are translations of documents that make it seem that the ship was named "Stad en Lande" (a good Frisian ship name).

English Captain: John Burley

John Burley served the navy of King Charles I, and in the navy during the Civil War. In 1636, he commanded the 6th Rate 5th Whelp. In 1638, he commanded the 6th Rate 6th Whelp. In 1639, he commanded the 6th Rate 2nd Whelp. In 1642, he commanded the 3rd Rate Antelope, when he was in the Summer Guard. He was a Royalist, and was executed by the Parliament in 1647. 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.

More about William Badiley

William Badiley was, of course, Richard's brother. Richard was a squadron commander in the Mediterranean Sea during 1652 to 1653. His brother, William, seems to have been reckless, and was not employed after the Battle of the Kentish Knock. Recklessness is practically an unknown quality among English naval officers during the First Anglo-Dutch War. About the only man who could be credibly charged as being reckless, besides William Badiley, was Robert Blake, General-at-Sea. The usual problem among English naval officers in the 17th Century was timidy. Compared to Robert Blake, some normally brave officers were considered to have been over-timid at the Battle of Dungeness (30 November 1652, Old Style).

At the Battle off Dover on 19 May 1652, Blake's rashness was rewarded, as the Dutch, under Maarten Tromp, were so out-matched by the English 2nd Rates, that they could not stand and fight. At the Battles of the Kentish Knock, Dungeness, and Portland, Robert Blake showed a lack of judgment and basic tactical knowledge. Fortunately for him, the strong core of 2nd and 3rd Rates (with the occasional 1st Rate) were more than the Dutch could handle. He was also backed by very capable men, such as William Penn, John Lawson, George Monck, and many others. At the Battle of Dungeness, two brave men sacrificed themselves to save him (the captains of the Garland and Anthony Bonaventure). At Portland, he was saved again, until he threw away the opportunity to annihilate the Dutch at the end of the third day. An apologist might say that the English had suffered considerably, as well, but if you read the account of what happened from Blake's letter and what Michael Baumber and Peter Padfield wrote about him, you would know better. What you can say is that Robert Blake was focused and intent on engaging the Dutch, under most circumstances. Perhaps it was his wound at Portland that caused him to vary from his usual reckless style.

English Captain: William Badiley

William Badiley served in the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navies. In 1646, he commanded the hired merchantman Anne (which R. C. Anderson said was in reserve). In the summer of 1646, the Anne was one of those ships that were to be docked and fitted out for sea, in case they were needed. In 1652, he commanded the Dolphin. He fought at the Battle of the Kentish Knock, and the Dolphin was one of the leading ships in Nehemiah Bourne's squadron. Michiel De Ruyter lead his squadron in to aggressively engage them. They came close to getting in trouble, but were rescued because the Dutch ships had trouble tacking, as they had suffered storm damage, and some Dutch captains avoided battle. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.
3. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

The decline of the Netherlands in the 17th Century

I have wondered how much the decline of the Netherlands in the 17th Century was due to Louis XIV and how much was due to William III (William of Orange). They both were brilliant men.

Louis XIV energized France, upon taking control of the government. Under his leadership, France was like a rocket. It rose to great heights, before crashing at the end of the flight. His reign setup France for the revolution at the end of the 18th Century, and put people into the frame of mind where Socialism looked pretty good to them. When Louis XIV took an interest in the Netherlands, the Netherlands developed a big problem.

When the French attacked the Netherlands (in the form of the Dutch Republic, the United Provinces), he brought down the government of Jan De Witt, and caused his death at the hands of a mob, along with his brother Cornelis. The "Young Prince", William III (or Willem III), Prince of Orange, stepped up to save the country. I suspect that William III was trained by the French during the 1660's, when the Dutch and French were nominally allied. The French were supreme on land. They had the greatest generals, perhaps of all time, in Prince Conde and Turenne. They had a fine army, and Vauban was advising Louis XIV in the field, and was revolutionizing military fortifications in a way that was copied for the next 250 years or more.

The bad thing about the regime change in the Netherlands was that Jan De Witt had achieved an understanding of naval warfare, while William III was totally ignorant, and remained so for the rest of his life. He also had no interest, perhaps accounting for his ignorance. Yet, naval power is what saved the nation in the Third Anglo-Dutch War, as much as the valiant defence and William III's statement about "the last ditch" ("There is one certain means by which I can be sure never to see my country's ruin -- I will die in the last ditch").

The Netherlands was sustained past 1673 as an independent nation largely due to the efforts of Michiel Adriaanszoon De Ruyter and the navy. There are not enough superlatives to describe Michiel De Ruyter. I consider him the greatest admiral of all time. If you compare him with someone like Horatio Nelson, De Ruyter towers over him. If you look at their careers, Nelson never really commanded in a battle that was critical to the defense of his nation. Even Trafalgar was not very important, as France had rebuilt its fleet in a short time. De Ruyter, on the other hand, fought in battles that determined the continued existence of his country. He won the Third Anglo-Dutch War, which knocked England off the field by 1674. De Ruyter was a flag officer for a great number of battles in the First Anglo-Dutch War, the war with Sweden in 1658 and 1659, and the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch Wars. He died at an age when few of his contemporaries were still alive (at 69 years) in a fight against the great Huguenot admiral Abraham Duquesne, during the extended war against France that lasted until 1678.

When the Glorious Revolution took place in 1688, William was eager to enter the fray against his old enemy Louis XIV and his uncle, James II. He fought the War of the English Succession to secure his throne, and then in the following War of the League of Augsburg. His wife, Mary II died of Smallpox, as had his mother and father. His sister-in-law, Queen Anne would also die of Smallpox. William III died from a fall from his horse. He left the Netherlands in shambles. They were shorn of trade and capital. The English gladly took over from their allies as the premier commericial empire and naval power. With William III as king, England's navy had suffered as well, due to his lack of interest and knowledge. This was in sharp contrast with Charles II and James II, who were both knowledgable and had a keen interest in the navy.

At the Gabbard and Scheveningen, Witte de With flew his flag from the second-most powerful ship in the fleet

Since before the beginning of the First Anglo-Dutch War, Witte de With had flown his flag from the rather small ship Prinses Louise (36 guns). She had been built relatively recently (1646), but was only 120ft long. By the end of 1652, she was overgunned with 46 guns (according to Dr. Elias). Witte de With missed the battles of Dungeness and Portland, but after Portland played an important operational role. He commanded a very active squadron during the intervening period between Portland and the Battle of the Gabbard. He flew his flag on the Vrijheid, with Abraham van der Hulst as his flag captain. This was the second most powerful ship in the fleet, after the Brederode. She later carried as many as 60 guns. She also was the prototype for new construction patterned after the English (where ships were broader for the length). Amsterdam blocked her from being used in the First Anglo-Dutch War building program, but by 1664, new construction was patterned after her. Michiel De Ruyter's famous flagship, the Zeven Provinciën was 3.79 times as long as broad. The Brederode was much narrower for the length, having a length to beam ratio of 4.125. De With was trying to ready his brand new flagship, the Huis van Swieten (60 guns) for the battle, but was unsuccessful, probably due to lack of armament and stores. She was his flagship after Scheveningen to the end of the war. By July 1654, he had reclaimed his beloved Brederode from Egbert Meuwssen Kortenaer. Witte de With had been the Brederode's original captain, and had commanded her during the operation in 1645 to force a fleet of merchant ships past the Sound without paying the toll to the Danes. She was also his flagship for the abortive attempt to recover control of Brazil from the Portuguese.

English Captain: John Jeffreys (or Jeffries)

John Jeffreys (Jeffries) served both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. From 1652 to 1653, he commanded the Dutch prize Falmouth (26 guns). He very likely fought in the Battle of the Kentish Knock. Again, he may have fought in the Battle of Portland, still in the Falmouth. R. C. Anderson believed that John Jeffreys fought in the Battle of Scheveningen, while still in command of the Falmouth (by then, 28 guns). By December 1653, he commanded the Little Charity (38 guns), lying at Chatham. From 1654 to 1655, he commanded the 5th Rate Nightingale. From 1655 to 1656, he commanded the 4th Rate Nantwich (48 guns). At the Battle of Lowestoft, he commanded the 4th Rate Assurance (32 guns) in Prince Rupert's division. In June 1666, he was designated as captain of the new 3rd Rate Cambridge (64 guns), which was under construction. At the St. James's Day Battle, his new ship was completed, and was assigned to Robert Holmes' division. His name was spelled many different ways, which was not unusual for the time. The most creative spelling was "Gifferyes", when he was in command of the Little Charity in the Winter Guard for 1653. 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. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
5. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

For those of us who want to learn to pronounce Dutch...

I had seen this site, quite a long time ago (maybe as long ago as 2000) that had audio clips of Dutch being spoken. The pages are part of the author's site that includes "Dutch Pronounced". I found it useful, as it complemented what I had heard from my former manager (an Afrikaans speaker who read and spoke Dutch, as well). While my first interest is in expanding my ability to read Dutch, I also would like to be able understand spoken Dutch and to speak, as well. Marco Schuffelen has a lot of good clips that help a lot in knowing how to pronounce naval officer's namea and the names of their ships. Marco says that he will be posting some new clips oriented towards our specialized interest, for which I am very grateful.

The Bridge to Modernity

One of my central theses is that the 17th Century was the start of modern times. In many ways, the English Civil War was the turning point. During the reign of James I, people still dressed like the Elizabethans. One other aspect, tied to the Stuarts, is that the present British royal family is where they are because they are decedents of the Stuarts, however obliquely. The key person was Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of James I and Anne (daughter of Frederick II of Denmark). She was married to Frederick V, the Elector Palatine and for a short time, King of Bohemia. Elizabeth outlived many of her younger relatives. One of her children, Sophia, was married to Ernestus Augustus, the first Elector of Hannover. Their son, George, became king upon the death of Queen Anne from smallpox in 1714. I had not realized that there were ties between the Stuarts and the Bourbons, as well. Henriette Marie, mother and grandmother of kings and queens, was a Bourbon princess. Henriette Marie was daughter of Henri IV, King of France and Navarre.

Much of what was happening in early 17th Century Europe was driven by religion, and the English Civil War was no exception. The Thirty Years War was still raging when the situation in England grew ugly. The Civil War started in 1642, and I believe that the ostensible reason that the conflict was over the ship money really misses the point. Henriette Marie was raising her children to be Catholics. James II actually declared his Catholocism by 1669. Charles II kept his hidden until he received the Last Rites on his deathbed. James II's Catholocism is what pushed his opponents into staging the Glorious Revolution, putting his nephew William III and his daughter Mary II on the throne in his place.

Religion caused chaos and war on the continent. Many of the great generals of all time learned their trade in the Thirty Years War. The giants in France, Prince Conde and Turenne were Huguenots, as was the best admiral Abraham Duquense. On the Catholic side was Raimondo de Monteccucoli, who fought for the Holy Roman Empire. Naval buffs recognize his name, as the Italians named a light cruiser for him.

Many of the 17th Century Stuarts died from smallpox. That was true for Mary Stuart, wife of William II (Prince of Orange), as it was for him. Mary II and her sister, Queen Anne also died of smallpox.

Science and mathematics were greatly advanced during this period. This was the time when Leibnitz, Newton, and others lived. The Royal Society was formed in England, at the Restoration. In England you had giants like Robert Boyle, Isaac Newton, Robert Hooke, and others. It was men like Robert Hooke and Robert Boyle who essentially invented the "Scientific Method".

These were exciting times, and there were important forces at work in government, religion, and science. What we have built stands on top of what they started. There were many other areas of advancement, as well, including economics, business, and finance. I really have only scratched the surface, as the developments were so widespread and important.