Another BLOUDY FIGHT AT SEA Between the English and the Dutch; and the manner how the Lord Admiral Vantrump with threescore Men of War, engaged Sir Geo: Ayscue and the Parliaments Fleet upon the Downs, on Saturday last.
With the particulars thereof, disputed with great gallantry on both sides; the playing of Granadoes; the blowing up of the Decks; the number of ships sunk, fir'd, and taken; the tacking about of the Parl. Navy, to the protection of Dover Castle; and Vantrump still riding upon the Downs.
Also, the desperate Resolution of his Navy; and a Declaration concerning the cutting down of the Banks, Dams, and Sea-walls, and drowning of the Countrey: Together with the concluding of a peace between the K. of France, and the K. of Spain, by the K. of Scots; and the setting up of the Royal Standard.
London, Printed for George Horton, 1652.
Another bloudy fight at Sea between the English and the Dutch, on Saturday last: With the true particulars thereof; and the manner of Vantrumps engageing the English Fleet upon the Downs, with threescore Men of War.
Sent in a Letter from Captain Pack, to a Member of the Councel of State, on Munday, July the Twelfth, 1652.
SInce the last Defeat given to the Hollander, Vantrump hath selected Threescore Men of War, and hath made a desperate Attempt against your Fleet upon the [Page 4]Downs; where the Dutch maintained a very sharp dispute for many hours together; and great was the loss on both sides: Many gallant ships being sunk and fired; But by reason of the great might and power of the Enemy; their number far exceeding ours; it was thought most requisite to decline, and tack about for Dover Cliff, which we did, with very little loss: So that now we are secure, and under the protection of the Castle; but expect every hour another engagement; which is a thing generally desired both by the Sea-men and souldiers; onely it is waved for the present, by reason that Vice-Admiral Pen is every minute expected with a Squadron of ships for our assistance, which will then compleat us 30 Sayl, gallantly man'd, and well resolved.
Vantrump lies three leagues distance; and is resolved forthwith to ingage Us; as captain Vand-Erst informs Us, who hath deserted them, and declared for the Parliament.
He likewise bringeth intelligence, That the States have given Orders for the re-inforcing their Maritine Towns and Castles; and have declared to the People, That our Admiral intends to land some souldiers about the Brill, and Flushing, with a Resolution to cut down the Dammes, or Sea-walls, and [Page 5]so drown the Countrey. The allarum whereof hath so exasperated the spirits of many, that they are exceedingly inraged, and vowes revenge.
We hear that there is a general Rising from 16 to 60; and those that do refuse to to engage, are to die without mercy. They are setting forth another great Fleet of 200 sail, and the Zealanders have chosen a new Admiral. In our last engagement, our loss is esteemed killed and wounded about 300. The Enemies far greater.
There is dayly Action between our Scouts, and Trumps; and this morning captain Peacock, with the Tyger, going to relieve the Guard, was set upon by three Dutch-men, who maintained a gallant dispute, for the space of half an hour; which our Admiral hearing of, dispatched captain Watson and captain Taylor to his assistance, who bearing up close to them, saluted them with several broad sides, insomuch that one immediatly sunk by their sides; the other two got off, but much batter'd and torn, as well as ours; some having their legs and armes shot off; others lamentably shot and mangled. We hear that General Blake hath a design to block up the Zound, which will greatly frustrate & eclipse their liberty, &c.
Aboard the Rubey in the Downs, July 10. 1652.
Since the receit of this Letter, further Advertisements are come, That Admiral Vantrump having received intelligence of additional ships coming to us, resolved to fight us, and frustrate our conjunction; in order whereunto, he advanced; but our Scouts maing a discovery of his approach neer the Channel, and forthwith giveing notice thereof to the Navy, great was the preparation made to receive them; and in pursuance thereof, sir Geo. Ayscue, with the Fairfax and Tryumph, bore up to them, before the head of the Fleet, and gave them 50 Guns, but was answer'd with the like salute from Vantrump, and Vice-admiral Witte, who upon hanging forth their bloudy flags, was the signal for the rest of their Captains to fall on; insomuch, that a bloudy fight began, and after 700 broad sides exchang'd, they came to grapling, with a resolution to board each other; but it prov'd a work of extreme difficulty; for no sooner [Page 8]had we assailed each other decks, but immediatly the small shot flew so thick from the murthering pieces, that both parties were often repelled and beaten off; and the victory for a long time seemed dubious, til at last sir George & Cap. Lawson with the Rainbow and Fairfax, bore up to the head of the Vantrump, and his vice-admiral; and after several desperate Onsets on both sides, vantrump declined dispute, and with much difficulty hailed off; the viceadmiral was sunk with two more; after which, the Redcoats of Col. Goffs Regiment, that were aboard the Speaker, being engaged with four of the Holanders, seeing no ways possible to free themselves, resolved to purchase their liberty, with the price of their blouds, otherwise to sink by their sides; in order whereunto, they plaid their Granadoes and fire-works, which did great execution, and at last fir'd one of their ships; the other three perceiving this sad disaster, declined engagement; and soon after the whole Navy began to be in a Chaos of Confusion; for divers of the English Frigars bearing up [Page 8]close to their great ships, gave them three shot for one, in which action they performed singular service. However, Vantrump remains still upon the Downs; and further action is suddenly expected. The King of Scots is designed for Brussels, to conclude a peace between the King of France, and the K. of Spain. The K. of Poland hath set up his Royall Standard against the Tartars; and most of his Nobility are to take the field with him.
Divers of the Dutch ships have set up the King of Scots Colours; and seem to be inclining to Monarchy; Although it is apparent, that they are both Traytors and Rebels to their Prince; and their Provinces and Towns were won by the heroick Atchievements of Englist-men; and probably may again be recovered out of the hands of those, who deal with England, as the Lawyer did with two men about the Oyster, eat out the meat, and gave them the shell.