Philipp van Almonde

Philipp van Almonde (1646 in Briel ?January 6, 1711) was a Dutch vice admiral, who served in his nation?s maritime conflicts of the 17th and early 18th centuries.

Related Topics:
1646 - Briel - January 6 - 1711 - Vice admiral

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Almonde learned the maritime profession under his uncle, the frigate commander Kleidyk. As commander of the ship-of-the-line Dordrecht in the Second Anglo-Dutch War, the young man distinguished himself in the "Four Days Battle" of June 11-14, 1666, where Admiral Ruyter defeated the British fleet under George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle.

Related Topics:
Second Anglo-Dutch War - Four Days Battle - June 11 - 14 - 1666 - Admiral Ruyter - George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle

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In 1674 Almonde relieved Admiral Ruyter, who was blockaded by enemies. The following year, he commanded as rear-admiral the fleet before Gorée, then met up with Ruyters? squadron in the Mediterranean. In 1676, following Ruyters? death, Almonde led the fleet back to Holland. On June 4, he defeated the Swedish navy in the Baltic.

Related Topics:
1674 - Swedish navy

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He achieved his greatest fame, however, during the War of the Grand Alliance ("The War of the League of Augsburg"), in which the Netherlands and its allies ("The Grand Alliance") faced off against Louis XIV's France. Almonde commanded a squadron in the battle at La Hougue (also known as the Battle of Barfleur] on May 29, 1692. There he actually decided Admiral Edward Russell?s victory over the French, who were under the command of Tourville.

Related Topics:
War of the Grand Alliance - Battle at La Hougue - May 29 - 1692 - Admiral Edward Russell - Tourville

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In 1702, during the War of the Spanish Succession, Almonde was behind a plan to seize richly-laden Spanish treasure galleons arriving from the West Indies. On October 23, he convinced British Admiral Sir George Rook to attack the treasure ships despite the lateness of the year and the fact that the vessels were protected by French ships-of-the-line. The Dutch and English forces destroyed the enemy fleet in the harbor of Vigo. The English seized four ships-of-the-line and six galleons, while the Dutch took six warships and five treasure-laden galleons.

Related Topics:
1702 - War of the Spanish Succession - West Indies - George Rook - Vigo

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Almonde later moved back to his Haaswyk estate, near Leiden, where he died on January 6, 1711. His memorial stands in the Katherine Church at Briel.

Related Topics:
Leiden - January 6 - 1711 - Briel

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