First Battle of Schooneveld

Posted by Brian on Friday 6th of June 2014 19:20

The London Gazette, Publication date:29 May 1673
His Highness, Prince Rupert's letter to the Earl of Arlington, from on board the Royal Charles, off of the O??er Bank the 19th of May 1673, distant from East Cape seven leagues at one afternoon the wind S.S.W.
I give you herein an account of the action yesterday, being the 28th such as at present can be made, having not had time to learn the particulars of the enemies losses. The foul weather having before given us opportunity and leisure to sound all the sands. On the 27th it was resolved at a Council of War, held here on board with Flag Officers, to attack the enemy ?ding at anchor, in a line between the Rand and the Stony Bank. Accordingly a squadron was then ordered out of the several divisions of the fleet, (whereof the eldest Captain was to command each party) consisting in all of 35 frigates, and 13 Fireships, besides small craft to sound before them. Yesterday morning about eight of the clock the drew out of their squadrons, and sailed towards the enemy, the winds at S.S.W. and that by 12 a clock at noon, engaged the Van of them, commanded by Trump. We were forced to engage sooner that I intended, to prevent the enemies from getting the wind, that squadron commanded by Trump, was o pressed by us, that it gave way, and retired as far away as the Sands would give them leave. The squadron commanded by de Ruyter, fell to the share of Count de Estrees, and the French, who behaved themselves very bravely . Sir Edward Spragge, also on his side maintained the fight with so much courage and resolution, that their whole body gave way, to such degree, that had it not been fear of the shoals, we had driven them into their harbours, and the King would have had a better account of them. The case being thus, and the night approaching, I judged it fit to stand a little off and to anchor here where I now ride. The enemy had a considerable loss, (which they will not easily repair) I having many men slain, many ships disabled, and some destroyed; de Ruyter and Trump had run a great hazard of being burnt by some of our Fireships, if they had behaved themselves as they ought to have done. Our losses are very inconsiderable, teo of our ships only being disabled, viz. the Cambridge and the Resolution, which I shall send home to refit; the rest of our work will easily be done here. We have lost very few common men; as yet I have an account but of these officers slain, Capt. Fowles, Capt. Werden, and Capt. Finch; Col. Hamilton has his leg shot off. All the officers and common men, generally behaved themselves very well, of which I will send the particulars, when I am better informed; in my squadron more especially; Capt. Leg, Sir John Holmes, Capt. Wettwang, Captain Story, Sir Roger Strickland, and Sir William Reeves, the first took a ship of the enemies, and the latter brought up a Fireship, and layed himself to leeward of Trump, and if the Captain of the Fireship had done his duty, Trump would certainly burnt. Notwithstanding which, Story and Wettwang so belaboured him, that Reeves cleared himself from the crowd of the enemy. etc...