Action of 12 March 1672
| Action of 12 March 1672 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Franco-Dutch War | |||||||
Holme's attack on the Smyrna Fleet, off Beachy Head, 12 March 1672 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
| England | Dutch Republic | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Sir Robert Holmes Sir Frescheville Holles |
Adriaan de Haaze † Cornelis Evertsen | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 9 warships |
5 warships 66 merchant ships | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 warship disabled (Saint Michael) and severe damage to the other ships |
1 warship captured (Klein Hollandia) 4 merchant ships captured | ||||||
The action of 12 March 1672 was a naval battle of the Third Anglo-Dutch War between a squadron commanded by Sir Robert Holmes and Sir Frescheville Holles against the Smyrna convoy, which was protected by 5 warships under De Haaze and Cornelis Evertsen. The Battle took place before the official start of the conflict, but now there was no turning back and England declared war on the Dutch Republic on March 17, 1672.