Come and ask, answer or inform.
Kingdom of England | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| English Squadron | |||
| Ship Name | Commander | Notes | |
| Name : Salisbury (54)
1698-1703 British 54 Gun 4th Rate Ship of the Line | Richard CottonBritish Naval Sailor Service 1672-1705 | Captured | |
| Name : Adventure (42)
1691-1709 British 42 Gun 4th Rate Ship of the Line | John BalchenBritish Naval Sailor Service 1685-1736 | ||
| Name : Muscovy Merchant (40)
1703-1703 British 40 Gun Hired Ship | Captured | ||
Royaume de France | |||
| French Squadron, Chevalier Marc-Antoine Hécourt (Seigneur de Hécourt)French Naval Sailor Privateer Marine Service 1680-1705 | |||
| Ship Name | Commander | Notes | |
| Name : L'Adroit (44)
1691-1703 French 44 Gun 4th Rate Frigate (Frégate-Vaisseau de 1er Ordre) | Chevalier Marc-Antoine Hécourt (Seigneur de Hécourt)French Naval Sailor Privateer Marine Service 1680-1705 | Fleet Flagship | |
| Name : Le Milford (32)
1693-1703 French 32 Gun 5th Rate Frigate | |||
| Name : Le Ludlow (30)
1703-1729 French 30 Gun 5th Rate Frigate | Graton de VillogéFrench Naval Sailor Service 1653-1753 | ||
| Name : La Palme Couronnée (16)
1703-1703 French 16 Gun Privateer Ship | Cornil MeyneFrench Naval Sailor Privateer Service 1694-1712 | ||
| Name : L'Espérance (16)
1703-1703 French 16 Gun Privateer | Cornil BernardFrench Naval Sailor Privateer Service 1653-1753 | ||
| Name : La Notre-Dame de Montaigu (10)
1703-1703 French 10 Gun Privateer Ship | Antoine CornelissenFrench Naval Sailor Service 1653-1753 | ||
| Name : La Reina de Spagne (40)
1703-1703 French 40 Gun Privateer | Paul BeestenbustelFrench Naval Sailor Privateer Service 1703 | ||
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.