William Goodsonn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Goodsonn
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|---|---|
| Born | 1610 |
| Died | c. 1680 |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of England |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy |
| Rank | Vice admiral |
| Commands held | Entrance Jamaica Station English Baltic Fleet (1658) |
| Battles/wars | |
William Goodsonn (born around 1610, died after 1680) was an important English naval officer. He was known as a Vice Admiral, which is a high rank in the navy. He served England during a time of many wars and changes.
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William Goodsonn started his naval career in 1647. He joined the side of the Parliament (often called the Roundheads) during the Second English Civil War. This was a big conflict happening in England at the time.
Fighting in the Anglo-Dutch War
Goodsonn became the captain of a ship named the Entrance. He fought in the First Anglo-Dutch War, which was a series of battles between England and the Netherlands. One important fight he was in was the Battle of Portland on January 25, 1663. Later, in June and July 1653, he was a rear-admiral, a slightly lower rank than vice-admiral.
Wars with Spain
Goodsonn also took part in the Anglo-Spanish War (1654–1660). In 1654, he was a vice-admiral working under another important officer, William Penn. Together, they tried to capture Hispaniola (an island in the Caribbean) and successfully captured Jamaica in 1655. After Penn went back to England, Goodsonn took charge of the English naval base in Jamaica.
In 1658, Goodsonn also helped in the Battle of the Dunes. Here, the English Navy used its ships to fire cannons at the Spanish army. This helped the English and French armies win the battle on land.
Protecting English Interests in the Baltic Sea
In November 1658, Goodsonn was given a new and important job. He was put in charge of the English Baltic Fleet. His mission was to take Sir George Ayscue, another naval general, to Sweden. Ayscue was going to help Sweden with their naval battles against Denmark and the Dutch.
The Battle of the Sound
In the autumn of 1658, a Dutch fleet, led by Jacob van Wassenaer Obdam, defeated the Swedes in a battle called the Battle of the Sound. This battle helped the Dutch break a blockade around Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.
To protect England's trade and interests in the area, the leader of England, Richard Cromwell, ordered a fleet to be sent to the Sound (a strait between Denmark and Sweden).
Goodsonn's Fleet and Challenges
Goodsonn's fleet had 20 ships, including the Swiftsure, Speaker, Plymouth, and many others. Even though it was only half the size of the Dutch fleet, it was sent to show England's strength and stop the Dutch from sending more ships to the Baltic Sea.
Most of Goodsonn's fleet left England on November 17, 1658. Goodsonn himself left a day later. However, strong winds forced him back to port. On December 3, the fleet tried again and reached a place called the Skaw in six days. But strong winds kept most of the ships from going further.
On December 15, Goodsonn decided to return home because they hadn't achieved much. That night, a big storm hit. Many ships were damaged, losing parts like their masts and bowsprits. Luckily, no ships were lost, but they had to anchor near the English coast for the rest of the year to repair.
In March 1659, a new fleet of 40 ships, with Goodsonn as a deputy, set out for the Baltic again. However, new orders came in May, telling them not to attack. This was because Richard Cromwell's government had collapsed.
