Battle of Solebay
The naval Battle of Solebay took place on 28 May Old Style, 7 June New Style[1][2] 1672 and was the first naval battle of the Third Anglo-Dutch War. The battle ended inconclusively, with both sides claiming victory.
| Battle of Solebay | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Anglo-Dutch War | |||||||
 The Fleets drawn up for Battle, tapestry by Willem van de Velde the Elder | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Dutch Republic |
 England France | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Michiel de Ruyter Adriaen Banckert Willem Joseph van Ghent † |
James, Duke of York Edward Montagu † Jean II d'Estrées | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 75 ships | 93 ships | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 ship destroyed, 1 captured | 1 ship destroyed | ||||||
The battle
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A fleet of 75 ships, 20,738 men and 4,484 cannon of the United Provinces, commanded by Lieutenant-Admirals Michiel de Ruyter, Adriaen Banckert and Willem Joseph van Ghent, surprised a joint Anglo-French fleet of 93 ships, 34,496 men and 6,018 cannon at anchor in Solebay (nowadays Sole Bay), near Southwold in Suffolk, on the east coast of England.[3]
The Duke of York and Vice-Admiral Comte Jean II d'Estrées planned to blockade the Dutch in their home ports and deny the North Sea to Dutch shipping. The Dutch had hoped to repeat the success of the Raid on the Medway and a frigate squadron under Van Ghent sailed up the Thames in May but discovered that Sheerness Fort was now too well prepared to pass. The Dutch main fleet came too late, mainly due to coordination problems between the five Dutch admiralties, to prevent a joining of the English and French fleets. It followed the Allied fleet to the north, which, unaware of this, put in at Solebay to refit. On 7 June the Allies were caught by surprise and got into disarray when the Dutch fleet, having the weather gauge, suddenly appeared on the horizon in the early morning. The French fleet, whether through accident or design, steered south followed by Banckert's fifteen ships and limited its action to long-distance fire. Nevertheless, the Superbe was heavily damaged and des Rabesnières killed by fire from Enno Doedes Star's Groningen; total French casualties were about 450.
This left the Dutch vanguard and centre to fight it out with the English, and the latter were hard pressed, as they had great difficulty to beat upwind to bring ships out. The Duke of York had to move his flag twice, finally to London, as his flagships Prince and St Michael were taken out of action. The Prince was crippled by De Ruyter's flagship De Zeven Provinciën in a two hours' duel. De Ruyter was accompanied by the representative of the States-General of the Netherlands, Cornelis de Witt (the brother of Grand Pensionary Johan de Witt) who bravely remained seated on the main deck, although half of his guard of honour standing next to him was killed or wounded.
Lieutenant-Admiral Aert Jansse van Nes on the Eendracht first duelled Vice-Admiral Edward Spragge on HMS London and then was attacked by HMS Royal Katherine. The latter ship was then so heavily damaged that Captain John Chichely struck her flag and was taken prisoner; the Dutch prize crew however got drunk on the brandy found and allowed the ship to be later recaptured by the English.
The flagship of Admiral Edward Montagu, 1st Earl of Sandwich, HMS Royal James, was first fiercely engaged by Lieutenant-Admiral Van Ghent, who in 1667 had executed the Raid on the Medway, on Dolfijn. Van Ghent was however killed by shrapnel. Then captain Jan van Brakel made his Groot Hollandia attack to the Royal James, incessantly pounding the hull of that ship for over an hour and bringing her into such a condition that Lord Sandwich considered to strike his flag but decided against it because it was beneath his honour to surrender to a mere captain of low birth. He then ordered sloops from other ships to board the Groot Hollandia; his upper deck soon swarming with Englishmen Van Brakel was forced to cut the lines and retreat between friendly vessels to drive the boarding teams off. The Royal James now drifted away, sinking, and was attacked by several fire ships. She sank two, but a third, Vrede, commanded by Jan Daniëlszoon van den Rijn, its approach shielded by Vice-Admiral Isaac Sweers's Oliphant, set her on fire. She burnt with great loss of life; Sandwich himself and his son-in-law Philip Carteret drowned trying to escape when his sloop collapsed under the weight of panicked sailors jumping in; his body washed ashore, only recognisable by the scorched clothing still showing the shield of the Order of the Garter.
During the battle the wind shifted, giving the English the weather gauge, and in the late afternoon the Dutch withdrew.
Losses were heavy on both sides: one Dutch ship, the Jozua, was destroyed and another, the Stavoren, captured, a third Dutch ship had an accident during repairs immediately after the battle and blew up. The battle ended inconclusively at sunset. Both sides claimed victory, the Dutch with the more justification as the English-French plan to blockade the Dutch was abandoned.
The fleets met again at the Battle of Schooneveld in 1673.
Ship list
Not all fireships are listed; there were about 24 of them on the Allied, 36 on the Dutch side.
England and France (The Duke of York and Albany)
| White Squadron (French) | Guns | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Terrible | 70 | (Rear Admiral Abraham Duquesne) |
| Illustre | 70 | Marquis de Grancey |
| Conquérant | 70 | M. de Thivas |
| Admirable | 68 | M. de Beaulieu |
| Téméraire | 50 | M. de Larson |
| Prince | 50 | Charles Davy, Marquis d'Amfreville |
| Bourbon | 50 | M. de Kervin |
| Vaillant | 50 | Chevalier de Nesmond |
| Alcion | 46 | M. Bitaut de Beor |
| Hasardeux | 38 | M. de la Vigerie |
| Saint Phillippe | 78 | (Vice Admiral Jean II, Comte d'Estrées; cp. M. Pierre de Cou) |
| Foudroyant | 70 | M. Louis Gabaret |
| Grand | 70 | M. Gombaud |
| Tonnant | 58 | M. Des Ardents |
| Brave | 54 | Chevalier Jean-Baptiste de Valbelle |
| Aquilon | 50 | Chevalier d'Hally |
| Duc | 50 | Chevalier de Sepville |
| Oriflamme | 50 | M. de Kerjean |
| Excellent | 50 | M. de Magnon |
| Eole | 38 | Chevalier de Cogolin |
| Arrogant | 38 | M. de Villeneuve-Ferriere |
| Superbe | 70 | (Chef d'escadre Des Rabesnières, killed in battle) |
| Invincible | 70 | Comodorre de Verdille |
| Sans-Pareil | 66 | M. de la Clocheterie |
| Fort | 60 | Comte de Benac |
| Sage | 50 | M. Anne Hilarion de Contentin, Comte de Tourville |
| Heureux | 50 | M. Francois Panetie |
| Rubis | 46 | M. de Saint Aubin d'Infreville |
| Galant | 46 | Chevalier de Flacourt |
| Hardi | 38 | M. de la Roque-Garseval |
| Red Squadron (English) | Guns | Captain |
| London | 96 | (Vice Admiral Edward Spragge) |
| Old James | 70 | John Haywood |
| Resolution | 70 | John Berry |
| Dunkirk | 60 | Francis Courtney |
| Monck | 60 | Bernard Ludman, killed in battle |
| Monmouth | 70 | Richard Beach |
| Royal Katherine | 86 | John Chicheley |
| Dreadnought | 62 | Arthur Herbert, 1st Earl of Torrington |
| Adventure | 44 | |
| Dartmouth | 32 | Richard Sadlington |
| Supply | 6 | |
| Prince | 100 | (James Stuart, Duke of York and Albany, Lord High Admiral; First Captain John Cox, killed in battle, Second Captain John Narborough) |
| St Michael | 96 | Sir Robert Holmes |
| Victory | 82 | Thomas Butler, Earl of Ossory |
| Cambridge | 70 | Frescheville Holles, killed in battle |
| York | 64 | Thomas Elliot, killed in battle |
| Fairfax | 60 | George Legge |
| Yarmouth | 54 | Robert Werden |
| Portland | 50 | Thomas Guy |
| Diamond | 50 | Thomas Foulis |
| Phoenix | 40 | Richard Le Neve |
| Robert | 26 | |
| Charles | 96 | (Rear Admiral Sir John Harman) |
| Rainbow | 64 | James Storey |
| Revenge | 62 | John Hart Sr. |
| Greenwich | 60 | Levi Greene |
| Anne | 58 | John Waterworth, killed in battle |
| Advice | 50 | Dominick Nugent |
| Dover | 48 | Sir John Ernle (or Ernley) |
| Forester | 40 | Henry Killigrew |
| Blue Squadron (English) | Guns | Captain |
| St Andrew | 96 | (Rear Admiral John Kempthorne) |
| French Ruby | 80 | Thomas R. Cole |
| St George | 70 | Jeffrey Pearce, killed in battle |
| Warspite | 70 | Richard White |
| Gloucester | 62 | William Coleman |
| Bonaventure | 48 | Richard Trevanion |
| Antelope | 48 | |
| Success | 32 | George Watson |
| Royal James | 100 | (Admiral Sir Edward Montagu, Earl of Sandwich (killed in battle); Captain Richard Haddock) |
| Henry | 82 | Francis Digby, killed in battle |
| Edgar | 72 | John Wetwang |
| Rupert | 66 | John Holmes |
| Montagu | 62 | Thomas Darcy |
| Leopard | 54 | Peter Bowen |
| Crown | 48 | William Finch |
| Falcon | 40 | Charles Montague |
| Alice & Francis | 26 | George Yennes, killed in battle |
| Royal Sovereign | 100 | (Vice Admiral Sir Joseph Jordan) |
| Triumph | 74 | Willoughby Hannam, killed in battle |
| Unicorn | 68 | Richard James |
| Mary | 62 | John Brooks |
| Plymouth | 60 | Sir Roger Strickland |
| Princesse | 54 | Sir Richard Munden |
| Ruby | 48 | Stephen Pyend |
| Mary Rose | 48 | William Davies |
| Tyger | 44 | John Turner |
The Netherlands (Michiel de Ruyter)
| Admiralty of Amsterdam | Guns | Captain |
|---|---|---|
| Akerboom | 60 | Jacob Teding van Berkhout |
| Woerden | 70 | Jacob Binckes |
| Jaersveld | 48 | Nicolaes de Boes |
| Stad Utrecht | 66 | Jan Davidszoon Bondt |
| Callantsoog | 70 | Hendrik Brouwer |
| Stavoren | 48 | Daniël Elsevier |
| Amsterdam | 60 | Anske Fokkes |
| Provincie van Utrecht | 60 | Jan Pauluszoon van Gelder |
| Dolphijn | 82 | Lt-Admiral Willem Joseph, Baron van Ghent (killed in battle), Flag-Cpt Michiel Kindt |
| Gouda | 72 | Schout-bij-Nacht Jan de Haan |
| Leeuwen | 50 | Jan Gijsels van Lier |
| Reigersbergen | 72 | Commodore Jacob van Meeuwen |
| Gideon | 58 | Pieter Middelandt |
| Essen | 50 | Philips de Munnik |
| Waesdorp | 72 | Francois Palm |
| Steenbergen | 68 | Jan Roetering |
| Deventer | 60 | Engel de Ruyter |
| Agatha | 50 | Pieter Corneliszoon de Sitter |
| Oosterwijk | 60 | Volckert Hendrikszoon Swart |
| Olifant | 82 | Vice-Admiral Isaac Sweers |
| Beschermer | 50 | David Swerius (Sweers) |
| Oudshoorn | 70 | Tomas Tobiaszoon |
| Komeetstar | 70 | Hendrik van Tol |
| Kruiningen | 56 | Balthazar van de Voorde |
| Edam (frigate) | 32 | Jacob Willemszoon Broeder |
| Bommel (frigate) | 24 | Pieter Klaaszoon Dekker |
| Asperen (frigate) | 30 | Barent Hals |
| Damiaten (frigate) | 34 | Jan Janszoon de Jongh |
| Popkensburg (frigate) | 24 | Mattheus Megank |
| Haas (frigate) | 24 | Hendrik Titus, Graaf van Nassau |
| Overijssel (frigate) | 30 | Cornelis Tijloos |
| Postijljon (frigate) | 24 | Roemer Vlacq |
| Brak (frigate) | 24 | Cornelis van der Zaan |
| Egmond (advice yacht) | 10 | Jan Bogaart |
| Triton (advice yacht) | 12 | Huibert Geel |
| Kater (advice yacht) | 8 | Jan Kramer |
| Walvis (advice yacht) | 12 | Jan Klaaszoon van Oosthuys |
| Eenhoorn (advice yacht) | 10 | Jacob Stadtlander |
| Kat (advice yacht) | 12 | Abraham Taelman |
| Galei (advice yacht) | 12 | Marcus Willemszoon |
| Velsen (fireship) | ? | Hendrick Hendricksen |
| Windhond (fireship) | ? | Willem Willemsen |
| Beemster (fireship) | ? | Hendrick Rosaeus |
| Sollenburg (fireship) | ? | Jan Janssen Bout |
| Draak (fireship) | ? | Pieter van Grootveldt |
| Leydtstar (fireship) | ? | Sybrant Barentsen |
| St. Salvador (fireship) | ? | Andries Randel |
| Sollenburgh (fireship) | ? | Klaas Pietersen Schuit |
| Admiralty of de Maze (Rotterdam) | Guns | Captain |
| De Zeven Provinciën | 80 | fleet flag, Lt-Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, 1st Lieutenant Gerard Callenburgh |
| Wassenaer | 56 | Philips van Almonde |
| Groot Hollandia | 60 | Jan van Brakel |
| Gelderland | 64 | Laurens Davidszoon van Convent |
| Zeelandia | 44 | Jan de Laucourt |
| Maagd van Dordrecht | 68 | Vice-Admiral Jan Evertszoon de Liefde |
| Reigersbergen | 72 | Jacob van Meeuwen |
| Schieland | 60 | Nicolaes Naalhout |
| Eendracht | 76 | Lt-Admiral Aert Janszoon van Nes |
| Ridderschap van Holland | 66 | Schout-bij-Nacht Jan Janszoon van Nes |
| Dordrecht | 50 | Barend Rees |
| Delft | 62 | Gerolf Ysselmuyden |
| Utrecht (frigate) | 36 | François van Aarssen |
| Schiedam (frigate) | 20 | François van Nijdek |
| Harderwijk (frigate) | 24 | Mozes Wichmans |
| Faam (advice yacht) | 12 | Cornelis Jacobszoon van der Hoeven |
| Rotterdam (advice yacht) | 5 | Wijnand van Meurs |
| Gorinchem (fireship) | 4 | Dirk de Munnik |
| Vrede (fireship) | 2 | Jan Daniëlszoon van den Rijn |
| Swol (fireship) | ? | Abraham Schryver |
| Eenhoorn (fireship) | ? | Pieter Besançon |
| Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier | Guns | Captain |
| Alkmaar | 62 | Klaas Anker |
| Wapen van Holland | 44 | Cornelis Jacobszoon de Boer |
| Jupiter | 40 | Jacob de Boer |
| Gelderland | 56 | Maarten Jacobszoon de Boer |
| Jozua | 54 | Jan Dick |
| Justina van Nassau | 64 | Jan Heck |
| Westfriesland | 78 | Johan Belgicus, Graaf van Hoorne |
| Wapen van Nassau | 62 | Peiter Kerseboom |
| Caleb | 48 | Jan Krook |
| Noorderkwartier | 60 | Jan Janszoon Maauw |
| Pacificatie | 76 | Vice-Admiral Volckert Schram |
| Drie Helden Davids | 50 | Claes Corneliszoon Valehen |
| Wapen van Medemblick | 46 | Hendrik Visscher |
| Wapen van Enkhuizen | 72 | Schout-bij-Nacht David Vlugh |
| Wapen van Hoorn | 62 | Claes Pieterszoon Wijnbergen |
| Helena Leonora (fireship) | ? | Pieter Syvertsen Bokker |
| Admiralty of Zeeland | Guns | Captain |
| Walcheren | 70 | Lt-Admiral Adriaen Banckert |
| Kampveere | 50 | Adriaan van Cruiningen |
| Zierikzee | 60 | Vice-Admiral Cornelis Evertsen de Jonge |
| Zwanenburg | 44 | Cornelis Evertsen de Jongste |
| Middelburg | 50 | Willem Hendrikszoon |
| Oranje | 70 | Schout-bij-Nacht Jan Matthijszoon |
| Vlissingen | 50 | Salomon Le Sage |
| Visscher Harder (frigate) | 26 | Barent Martenszoon Boom |
| Delft (frigate) | 34 | Simon Loncke |
| Ter Goes (frigate) | 34 | Karel van der Putte |
| Bruinvisch (advice) | 6 | Cornelis Hollardt |
| Zeehond (advice) | ? | Anteunis Matthijszoon |
| Zwaluw (advice) | 6 | Karel de Ritter |
| Middelburgh (fireship) | ? | Willem Meerman |
| Prinsje (fireship) | ? | Cornelis Ewout |
| Hoop (fireship) | ? | Antony Janssen |
| Admiralty of Friesland | Guns | Captain |
| Elf Steden | 54 | Wytse Johannes Beyma |
| Prins Hendrik Casimir | 70 | Schout-bij-Nacht Hendrik Bruynsvelt |
| Westergo | 56 | Yde Hilkeszoon Kolaart |
| Groningen | 70 | Vice-Admiral Enno Doedes Star |
| Vredewold | 60 | Christiaan Ebelszoon Uma |
| Oostergo | 62 | Jan Janszoon Vijselaar |
| Windhond (frigate) | 34 | Joost Michelszoon Kuik |
| ? (advice yacht) | ? | snauw, Pieter Pauw |
In popular culture
- The battle is described in the novel "An Affair of Dishonour" published in 1910 by William de Morgan who was also an artist in glass and ceramics. A wounded survivor becomes an important character in the story. [4]
- The Battle of Solebay forms the historic background to children's adventure novel The Lion of Sole Bay, the fourth book in the Strong Winds series by Julia Jones[5]
- The Adnams Brewery created a beer, named Broadside, in commemoration of the battle's tercentenary.[6][7]
See also
- Seven ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Solebay after this battle.
References
- "Battle of Solebay". Web.archive.org. 14 March 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
- John A. Lynn, The Wars of Louis XIV: 1667-1714 (Longman Publishing: Harlow, England, 1999) p. 113.
- William de Morgan, An Affair of Dishonour. Heinemann, London, 1910. Chapters 7 and 8.
- "The Lion of Sole Bay by Julia Jones" book review on The Bookbag website, viewed 2013-10-17
- "Adnams Broadside". Adnams.co.uk. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
- "Adnams Broadside (Bottle)". RateBeer.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
External links
- The Battle of Solebay at ship-wrecks.co.uk
- Lynn, John A., The Wars of Louis XIV: 1667-1714 (Longman Publishing: Harlow, England, 1999).