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Kingdom of England | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English Squadron | |||
| Ship Name | Commander | Notes | |
| Name : Salisbury (54) | Richard Cotton (d.1705) | Captured | |
| Name : Adventure (42) | John Balchen (1669/70-1744) | ||
| Name : Muscovy Merchant (40) | Captured | ||
Royaume de France | |||
| French Squadron, Chevalier Marc-Antoine Hécourt (Chevalier de Saint-Pol Hécourt) (1665-1705) | |||
| Ship Name | Commander | Notes | |
| Name : L'Adroit (44) | Chevalier Marc-Antoine Hécourt (Chevalier de Saint-Pol Hécourt) (1665-1705) | Fleet Flagship | |
| Name : Le Milford (32) | |||
| Name : Le Ludlow (30) | Graton de Villogé | ||
| Name : La Palme Couronnee (16) | Cornil Meyne (d.1717) | ||
| Name : L'Espérance (16) | Cornil Bernard | ||
| Name : La Notre-Dame de Montaigu (10) | Antoine Cornelissen | ||
| Name : La Reina de Spagne (40) | Paul Beestenbustel | ||
On the 10th of April, the Salisbury, 50, Captain Cotton, in company with the Adventure, 50, when off the Coast of Holland, fell in with a squadron of seven French ships of war, from Dunkirk, commanded by M. St. Paul. Captain Cotton having charge of a convoy of merchant ships, which were some of them astern with the Adventure, gallantly ran down to their support ; but one had surrendered before he was able to assist her. Had the Adventure supported the Salisbury as she might have done, it is highly probable the French would have been beaten off; but unfortunately her captain made all sail away, leaving Captain Cotton to engage the enemy single-handed. For
two hours the Salisbury engaged the French squadron. Two ships boarded her, and were beaten off but the commodore's and another ship, having at length taken up their
stations on the Salisbury's bow and quarter, and other ships also approaching to the attack, Captain Cotton deemed a further defence unavailing, and hauled down his colours. Before surrendering, the Salisbury was cut to pieces in hull and spars, and several of her guns were dismounted; she also lost 18 men killed, and two lieutenants, and 43 men wounded. The Adventure was also chased and captured by the same squadron.