Battle of Dogger Bank (1696) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Dogger Bank |
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| Part of War of the Grand Alliance | |||||||
 Jean Bart, Mathieu Elias |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 France |
 Dutch Republic |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Jean Bart |
Rutger Bucking † |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 7 frigates 1 fireship 2 longboats 2 privateers |
5 frigates 112 merchant ships |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 31 killed and wounded | Unknown killed and wounded 1,200 captured 4 frigates destroyed 1 frigate captured 25 merchant ships destroyed |
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The Battle of Dogger Bank was a naval battle that happened on June 17, 1696. It was part of a bigger conflict called the War of the Grand Alliance. In this battle, a French fleet of seven ships defeated a Dutch fleet of five ships. The Dutch ships were protecting a group of merchant vessels.
The Battle Unfolds
The battle took place near a shallow area of the sea called Dogger Bank. A famous French privateer named Jean Bart discovered a large Dutch convoy. This convoy had 112 merchant ships. They were being protected by five Dutch warships.
The French navy had more warships and more cannons than the Dutch. Also, the French sailors were very experienced. Their leader, Jean Bart, was an amazing commander. Because of these reasons, the French were expected to win easily. However, the French had to act fast. A large English fleet, led by Admiral John Benbow, knew the French were in the area. They were looking for them.
The battle began at 7:00 PM. Jean Bart, on his ship the Maure, attacked the main Dutch ship, the Raadhuis-van-Haarlem. The Dutch sailors fought very bravely for three hours. But then, their captain was killed. After that, the Raadhuis-van-Haarlem surrendered. The other four Dutch ships also surrendered one after another.
Jean Bart and his fleet then captured and burned 25 of the Dutch merchant ships. But soon, Admiral Benbow's English fleet of 18 ships started to get close. The French fleet quickly sailed away towards Denmark to escape. They stayed there until July. Later, they managed to sneak past the enemy ships. They returned to Dunkirk on September 27. They brought 1,200 Dutch prisoners with them.
Ships in the Battle
Here are some of the main ships that took part in the battle:
French Ships
- Maure: This was a frigate with 54 cannons. It was Captain Jean Bart's main ship. During the battle, 15 French sailors were killed and 16 were wounded on this ship.
- Adroit: A frigate with 44 cannons.
- Mignon: Another frigate with 44 cannons.
- Jersey: A frigate with 40 cannons.
- Comte: A frigate with 40 cannons.
- Alcyon: A frigate with 38 cannons.
- Milfort: A frigate with 36 cannons.
- Tigre: This was a fire ship, designed to set enemy ships on fire.
- Saint Jean: A long boat.
- Deux Frères: Another long boat.
- Lamberly: A privateer ship with 8 cannons.
- Bonne Espérance: A privateer ship with 6 cannons.
Dutch Ships
- Raadhuis-van-Haarlem: This was the main Dutch ship with 44 cannons. Captain Rutger Bucking, the Dutch commander, was killed on this ship. The ship was captured and later burned.
- Comte de Solnis: A ship with 38 cannons. It was captured by the French.
- Wedam: A ship with 38 cannons. It was captured and burned.
- Two unnamed ships: Each had 24 cannons. Both were captured and burned.
- 112 merchant ships: These were the trading ships the Dutch fleet was protecting. 25 of them were captured and burned by the French.
