Battle of Dover (1652) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Dover
Part of First Anglo-Dutch War
Tromp v Blake off Dover
Date 19 May 1652 Location Off Straits of Dover Result Inconclusive
Belligerents
Dutch Republic	Commonwealth of England
Commanders and leaders
Maarten Tromp	Robert Blake
Strength
47 ships	25 ships
Casualties and losses
1 ship captured	Unknown

The Battle of Dover was the first major fight of the First Anglo-Dutch War. It happened on May 19, 1652, near the Straits of Dover. This naval battle was between the ships of the Commonwealth of England and the Netherlands. It involved famous admirals Maarten Tromp for the Dutch and Robert Blake for the English. The battle ended with no clear winner.

Why Did the Battle of Dover Happen?

In October 1651, the English Parliament passed new laws called the Navigation Acts. These laws were meant to make it harder for the Dutch to trade, as their economy relied heavily on shipping. Things got worse when an English admiral, George Ayscue, captured 27 Dutch ships. These ships were trading with the English colony of Barbados, which was against English rules.

Both sides started getting ready for war. However, the fighting began sooner than expected. On May 19, 1652, a Dutch convoy (a group of merchant ships with military protection) was sailing near Dover. It was protected by 40 ships led by Admiral Maarten Tromp. An English fleet of 25 ships, led by Admiral Robert Blake, was also in the area.

How Did the Battle of Dover Unfold?

An English rule stated that all foreign fleets in the North Sea or the English Channel had to lower their flag as a sign of respect. English ships were also stopping Dutch merchant ships and taking their goods. Admiral Tromp had orders to protect Dutch trade and watch the English fleet.

On May 19, 1652, Tromp was sailing in the English Channel with 40 ships. Admiral Blake was waiting near Dover with 15 ships, and 8 more were nearby. Tromp received orders to engage Blake's fleet. He did not lower his flag as a salute.

Blake, on his flagship James, thought Tromp was ready to fight. He fired two warning shots. Tromp then raised a red battle flag, showing he was ready for action. Blake fired a third shot, which hit Tromp's ship and hurt some of his crew. Tromp fired back with a warning shot from his flagship, the Brederode. Blake then fired a full broadside (all the guns on one side of the ship). This started a battle that lasted five hours.

Tromp immediately attacked Blake's flagship. The two ships fired at each other as they passed. As the Brederode turned to fire again, it crashed into the English ship Bonaventure. The crews of the Bonaventure tried to board the Brederode. Tromp's crew fought them off.

Then, another English ship, the Garland, came alongside Tromp's ship. This put the Brederode between two English ships. Vice-Admiral John Evertsen quickly came to help. His ship pulled up next to the Bonaventure and fired, breaking all its masts. Evertsen's crew then boarded the Bonaventure and fought the English sailors hand-to-hand.

The fighting continued until nightfall. Both sides then pulled back. Neither side had won a clear victory. Tromp and Evertsen's crews divided the captured English sailors and sailed towards Texel. Blake, with his damaged flagship being towed, headed back to Dover.

What Happened After the Battle?

Both fleets were damaged. As darkness fell, the Dutch fleet moved into a defensive line to protect their merchant ships. The English captured two Dutch ships that had fallen behind: the Sint Laurens and the Sint Maria. The Sint Maria was later abandoned because it was sinking, but it eventually made its way back to the Netherlands.

Tromp later apologized to Blake and asked for the captured ship back, but Blake refused. The Commonwealth of England officially declared war on July 8, 1652.

Ships Involved in the Battle

Here are the ships that took part in the Battle of Dover:

English Fleet (Admiral Robert Blake)

In total, the English had 24 ships with 908 cannons.

Anthony Young's squadron

Robert Blake's squadron in Rye Bay

Nehemiah Bourne's squadron in the Downs

Dutch Fleet (Admiral Maarten Tromp)

In total, the Dutch had 44 ships with 1274 cannons.

Convoyers (ships protecting the merchant fleet)

The fleet in The Downs

Van (leading ships)

Rear (ships at the back)