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.