Four Days Battle

The Four Days Battle was a naval battle of the Second Anglo-Dutch War. Fought from June 1 to June 4, 1666 off the Flemish and English coast, it remains one of the longest naval engagements in history.

Related Topics:
Naval battle - Second Anglo-Dutch War - June 1 - June 4 - 1666

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In June 1665 the British had soundly defeated the Dutch in the Battle of Lowestoft, but failed to take advantage of it. The Dutch Spice Fleet, loaded with fabulous riches, managed to return home safely. The Dutch navy was enormously expanded through the largest building programme in its history. In August 1665 already the British fleet was again challenged, though no large battles resulted. In 1666 the British became anxious to destroy the Dutch navy completely before it could grow too strong and were desperate to end the activity of Dutch raiders as a collapse of British trade threatened.

Related Topics:
1665 - Battle of Lowestoft

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On learning that the French fleet intended to join the Dutch at Dunkirk, the English decided to prevent this by splitting their fleet. Their main force would try to destroy the Dutch fleet first, while a squadron under Prince Rupert was sent to block the Strait of Dover against the French - who didn't show up.

Related Topics:
Dunkirk - Prince Rupert - Strait of Dover

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The English fleet of about 56 ships commanded by George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle who also commanded the red squadron, was outnumbered by the Dutch fleet of 85 commanded by Lieutenant-Admiral Michiel de Ruyter. The battle ended with a successful English disengagement after their fleet had expended most of its ammunition.

Related Topics:
English - George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle - Dutch - Michiel de Ruyter

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The Dutch inflicted significant damage on the English fleet. The English had gambled that the crews of the many new Dutch ships of the line would not have been fully trained yet but were deceived in their hopes: they lost ten ships, 4,500 men and two admirals, Sir Christopher Myngs and Sir William Berkeley. HMS Sovereign of the Seas was knocked out of the battle after she lost so many sailors that she could no longer move or fire her cannon.

Related Topics:
Christopher Myngs - William Berkeley - HMS ''Sovereign of the Seas'' - Cannon

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