Second Anglo-Dutch War

The Second Anglo-Dutch War was fought between England and the United Provinces from 1665 to 1667.

The War

The first encounter between the nations was, as in the First Anglo-Dutch War, at sea. The war started with the Battle of Lowestoft, where the English gained a great victory and ruled the seas for over a year. They failed to take advantage of this however. The Spice Fleet from the Dutch East Indies managed to return home safely, France (Louis XIV) and Frederick III of Denmark took the side of the Republic and for every warship the English built, the Dutch wharfs turned out seven. The English paid the bishop of Münster, Bernhard von Galen, to invade the Republic, but his ragtag army was more of a nuisance than a real threat. In the spring of 1666 the Dutch had rebuilt their fleet with much heavier ships and threatened to join with the French. A new confrontation was inevitable.

Related Topics:
Battle of Lowestoft - Louis XIV - Frederick III of Denmark - Münster - Bernhard von Galen

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This huge Four Days Battle 1666, one of the longest naval engagements in history, ended up in both sides claiming victory; the English because Dutch admiral Michiel de Ruyter would have retreated first, the Dutch because he had also caused twice as many losses for the English as they had for the Dutch and the British fleet was at the end in retreat itself.

Related Topics:
Four Days Battle - 1666 - Admiral - Michiel de Ruyter

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Administrative difficulties in the Navy continued whilst a fleet of 80 ships under General George Monck, the Commonwealth veteran, (after, the Duke of Albemarle) set sail at the end of May 1666. Prince Rupert was detached with 20 of these ships to intercept a French squadron on the 29th May (Julian calendar), thought to be passing up the English Channel, presumably to join the Dutch fleet.

Related Topics:
George Monck - Julian calendar

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Leaving the Downs, Albemarle came upon de Ruyter with a fleet of 85 ships at anchor, and he immediately engaged the nearest Dutch ship before the rest of the fleet could come to its assistance. The Dutch rearguard under Cornelis Tromp set upon a starboard tack, taking the battle toward their own shoals, compelling Albemarle to turn about, to prevent being outflanked by the Dutch rear and centre, culminating in a ferocious unremitting battle that raged until nightfall.

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At daylight on 2nd June, Albemarle's strength was reduced to 44 ships, but with these he renewed the battle tacking past the enemy four times in close action. With his fleet in too poor a condition to continue to challenge he retired towards the coast with the Dutch in pursuit.

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The following day Albemarle ordered the damaged ships forward covering their return on the 3rd until Prince Rupert returning with his 20 ships, joined him. During this manoeuvre Ayscue on the grounded Prince Royal surrendered, the last time in history for an English admiral in battle. On the 4th they attacked in line together but got heavily damaged and almost encircled. Gradually they separately fought windward through the Dutch, at length managing to break off the action as de Ruyter retreated, perhaps for lack of gunpowder.

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After this, the English won several victories, the greatest the St. James's Day Battle, but failed to inflict decisive losses to the Dutch; due to overwhelming financial problems - partly caused by the large cost of repairing their fleet, partly by Charles embezzling the war chest - they were forced to reduce their operations. King Charles laid up his fleet and sued for peace. The Dutch however, enraged by the wanton destruction of over 150 merchant ships by the British vice-admiral Robert Holmes during his raid on the Vlie estuary in august 1666 and the following sacking of the island of Terschelling (Holmes's Bonfire), decided to repay this insolence first and end the war with a clear Dutch victory.

Related Topics:
St. James's Day Battle - Terschelling - Holmes's Bonfire

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