SCHOONEVELD 1673
Third Dutch War 1672-74
28 May
The Schooneveld is (or was) a long basin guarding the entrance to the ScheIdt estuary.
Two battles were fought here: the first between an Anglo-French fleet commanded by Prince Rupert, with Admiral Sir Edward Spragge as second-in-command, and a Dutch fleet commanded by the redoubtable Dutch Admiral De Ruyter.The composition of these two fleets was as set out:
ANGLO-FRENCH NETHERLANDS
Ships of the line 54 British 52
27 French
Frigates 11 12
Fireships 35 25
Flags Prince Rupert (van) Tromp (van)
d'Estrees (centre) De Ruyter (centre)
Spragge (rear) Banckerts (rear)
After days of reconnoitering and manoeuvring Prince Rupert determined to attack De Ruyter's fleet on 28 May, but the Dutchman emerged from the shoals with a favourable wind to meet the Allied combined fleet approaching in line abreast. For nine hours a fierce battle ensued, in the course of which De Ruyter broke the French line but had to fall back to help the hard-pressed Banckerts. Tromp (junior) also got into difficulties with the English van and was obliged to transfer his flag three times during the day.
The fleets disengaged during the evening and anchored within sight of each other. It was largely an inconclusive battle. The French lost two ships during the day, while the Dutch Deventer (70) was so badly damaged that she foundered during the night. But strategically few would argue with the Dutch who claimed it as a victory.
Battle Honours:
Advice Anne Assurance Bonaventure Cambridge
Charles Constant Warwick Crown Diamond
Dreadnought Dunkirk Edgar Falcon Foresight
French Ruby Gloucester Greenwich Hampshire
Happy Return Henrietta Henry Lion London
Mary Mary Rose Monck Newcastle Old Hames
Prince Princess Providence Rachel Rainbow
Resolution Revenge Royal Charles Royal Katherine Ruby
Rupert St Andrew St George St Michael
Samuel and Anne Sovereign Stavoreen Sweepstakes
Swiftshore Triumph Truelove Unicorn Victory
Warspite Welcome York
Third Dutch War 1672-74
28 May
The Schooneveld is (or was) a long basin guarding the entrance to the ScheIdt estuary.
Two battles were fought here: the first between an Anglo-French fleet commanded by Prince Rupert, with Admiral Sir Edward Spragge as second-in-command, and a Dutch fleet commanded by the redoubtable Dutch Admiral De Ruyter.The composition of these two fleets was as set out:
ANGLO-FRENCH NETHERLANDS
Ships of the line 54 British 52
27 French
Frigates 11 12
Fireships 35 25
Flags Prince Rupert (van) Tromp (van)
d'Estrees (centre) De Ruyter (centre)
Spragge (rear) Banckerts (rear)
After days of reconnoitering and manoeuvring Prince Rupert determined to attack De Ruyter's fleet on 28 May, but the Dutchman emerged from the shoals with a favourable wind to meet the Allied combined fleet approaching in line abreast. For nine hours a fierce battle ensued, in the course of which De Ruyter broke the French line but had to fall back to help the hard-pressed Banckerts. Tromp (junior) also got into difficulties with the English van and was obliged to transfer his flag three times during the day.
The fleets disengaged during the evening and anchored within sight of each other. It was largely an inconclusive battle. The French lost two ships during the day, while the Dutch Deventer (70) was so badly damaged that she foundered during the night. But strategically few would argue with the Dutch who claimed it as a victory.
Battle Honours:
Advice Anne Assurance Bonaventure Cambridge
Charles Constant Warwick Crown Diamond
Dreadnought Dunkirk Edgar Falcon Foresight
French Ruby Gloucester Greenwich Hampshire
Happy Return Henrietta Henry Lion London
Mary Mary Rose Monck Newcastle Old Hames
Prince Princess Providence Rachel Rainbow
Resolution Revenge Royal Charles Royal Katherine Ruby
Rupert St Andrew St George St Michael
Samuel and Anne Sovereign Stavoreen Sweepstakes
Swiftshore Triumph Truelove Unicorn Victory
Warspite Welcome York

