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The First Anglo-Dutch War
Anglo-Dutch Wars at sea
Four Days' Battle
Battle of Dover OOB
Battle of Livorno OOB
Battle of Lowestoft
Battle of Monte Cristo
Battle of Solebay
Battle of Sound
Battle of the Texel

17th Century Battles | Anglo-Dutch Wars

Battle of Dover OOB

The opening battle of the First Anglo-Dutch War took place off Dover on May 29 1652 (May 19, old style). The Dutch fleet was seeking shelter from storms. They had been anchored off Flanders, but were forced to move, after dragging and losing anchors. They had moved across the Channel, and found refuge off the South Foreland. The fleet commander, Lieutenant-Admiral Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp, had sent ships into the Downs, to ask for permission to anchor in English waters. Jan Tijssen and Pieter Aldertszoon were sent in to the Downs, with a letter for Commodore Bourne, telling him of their predicament. They rendered the proper salutes, in Tromp's name, and delivered the letter. Major Bourne thanked them for the letter. His squadron consisted of nine warships. Robert Blake's squadron was anchored in Rye Bay, which was to the Southwest, along the coast. Bourne's squadron, having been in the Downs, was North of Dover, and inside the Goodwin Sands.

Prior to the fleet arriving at Dover, Tromp's fleet met seven merchant ships, convoyed by Joris van der Zaan and Captain Huyrluyt, coming from the Mediterranean. Joris van der Zaan told Tromp of an encounter with an English squadron, commanded by Anthony Young, a week earlier, where shots were exchanged, prior to rendering the proper salutes.

The problem was that the Dutch bridled at rendering the salutes that the English were demanding in English waters. That issue was to spark open conflict off Dover.

The English order of battle for Dover is pretty certain. The only estimate involved is the armament for the merchantman, Reuben. The Dutch order of battle, however, is more problematic. The problem is that there is not a comprehensive mapping between ships and captains. In this case, a captain list, as well as ship characteristics, can be compiled, if one is ready to accept the list in Dr. Ballhausen's book. Equating those to actual ships is, sadly, more problematic. One problem is that the published list of Dutch ships is incomplete. The list here, is based on the best information, as well as informed estimates.

The English and Dutch orders of battle at Dover were as follows:

English fleet

Anthony Young's squadron

The English fleet was divided in two squadrons

Robert Blake's squadron in Rye Bay

Nehemiah Bourne's squadron in the Downs

The English fleet was divided in two squadrons

Robert Blake's squadron in Rye Bay

The Dutch fleet

The convoyers

The fleet in Downs

The Van

The Rear

Upon approaching Dover, Tromp was not prepared to render the required salutes. He avoided Bourne in the Downs, and instead encountered Blake's squadron, coming along the coast from Rye Bay. As the Dutch did not render the required salute, Blake fired a shot. Eventually, three shots were fired. Tromp was slow to strike his flag, in salute. Tromp claimed that the third shot was into his ship, and wounded some of his crew. Eventually, Tromp fired a broadside at Blake.

The battle lasted about two hours. The big English ships put the Dutch at a great disadvantage. Bourne's squadron came out of the Downs and attacked the rear of Tromp's line. The English broke the Dutch line into smaller groups, and concentrated against them. The Dutch were fortunate to escape with most of their ships.

In the ensuing battle, two Dutch ships were disabled and captured. One was the Sint Laurens. The other was the Sint Maria. The English towed the Sint Laurens into port. As the Sint Laurens was not subsequently employed, the ship must have been sold. The Sint Maria was thought to be in a sinking condition, and was abandoned, after taking off the crew and captain. The Dutch subsequently found the Sint Maria, and towed her back to port. As the Sint Maria seems not to have been further employed, the ship may have been a constructive total loss.

At this date, I have figured out that the right name of Johannes van Regermorter's ship is Leeuwin. The rest can be substantiated through either archival documents The First Dutch War or Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen. The Dutch list and organization is from Ballhausen.

Published Sources:

• ed. Atkinson, C.T., First Dutch War, Vol. IV, Navy Records Society, London, 1909.
• ed. Atkinson, C.T., First Dutch War, Vol. V, Navy Records Society, London, 1911.
• ed. Atkinson, C.T., First Dutch War, Vol. VI, Navy Records Society, London, 1930.
• Ballhausen, Carl, Ph.D., Der erste Englisch-Hollandische Seekrieg 1652-1654 Sowie der Schwedisch-Hollandische Seekrieg 1658-1659, Martinus Nijhoff, den Haag, 1923.
• Casteleyn, Pieter, Hollandsche Mercurius, 1652-1653, Haarlem (Monthly Newspaper).
• Elias, Dr. Johan E., Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol. II-VI, Martinus Nijhoff, 's-Gravenhage, 1923-1930.
• Elias, Johan E., De Vlootbouw in Nederland in de Eerste Helft der Zeventiende Eeuw, 1596-1655, Amsterdam, 1933.
• ed. Gardiner, Dr. S.R., First Dutch War, Vol. I, Navy Records Society, London, 1898.
• ed. Gardiner, Dr. S.R., First Dutch War, Vol. II, Navy Records Society, London, 1899.
• ed. Gardiner, Dr. S.R., and Atkinson, C.T., First Dutch War, Vol. III, Navy Records Society, London, 1905.
• Hondius, Jodocus, Onstelde-Zee, Oft Zee-Daden, Amsterdam, 1654.
• de Jonge, J.C., Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol. I, Haarlem, 1858.
• Vreugdenhil, A., Ships of the United Netherlands, 1648-1702, London, 1938.

Manuscripts:

• States General 1.01.04 Inv. No. 5548 Rotterdam Admiralty List from 26 February 1652.