Battle of Plymouth

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The naval Battle of Plymouth took place on 26 August 1652 during the First Anglo-Dutch War. General-at-Sea George Ayscue of the Commonwealth of England, commanding a fleet of forty men-of-war and five fire ships, attacked an outward bound convoy of the United Provinces escorted by 23 men-of-war and six fire ships commanded by Vice-Commodore Michiel de Ruyter. The two commanders had been personal friends before the war.

The disparity of forces was redressed by the participation of armed merchantmen from the convoy, and by firing at the English masts and rigging, the Dutch were able to force Ayscue to break off the engagement. He returned to Plymouth for repair while the Dutch convoy sailed safely to the Atlantic. Ayscue's claim of having won a victory was unconvincing and he was relieved of his command.

Ships involved:

[edit] England (George Ayscue)

Rainbow 52 (flag)
Amity 36 (RA Michael Packe)
Success 30 (merchantman)
Ruth 30 (merchantman)
Brazil frigate 24 (merchantman)
Malaga Merchant 30 (merchantman)
Increase 36 (merchantman, Thomas Varvell)
Vanguard 46 (VA William Haddock)
Success 36 (William Kendall)
Pelican 42 (Joseph Jordan)
Pearl* 24 (Roger Cuttance)
John and Elizabeth* 26 (merchantman)
George Bonaventure* 20 (merchantman, John Crampe)
Anthony Bonaventure 36 (merchantman, Walter Hoxon)
Unity (merchantman)
Maidenhead 36 (merchantman)
Constant Anne (ketch)
Bachelor (ketch)
Charity (fireship, Simon Orton) - Expended