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.