Battle of Solebay
| Battle of Solebay | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Franco-Dutch War and Third Anglo-Dutch War | |||||
The Burning of the Royal James at the Battle of Solebay, 28 May 1672 by Willem van de Velde the Younger | |||||
| |||||
| Belligerents | |||||
| Dutch Republic |
England France | ||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||
|
De Ruyter Banckert Van Ghent † |
York Sandwich † d'Estrées | ||||
| Strength | |||||
|
61 ships of the line 14 frigates 32 fire ships 22 smaller ships 4,500 guns 20,700 men |
80 ships of the line 13 frigates 24 fire ships 28 smaller ships 6,158 guns 35,000-40,000 men | ||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||
|
1 ship destroyed 1 ship captured | 4 ships destroyed | ||||
The Battle of Solebay took place on 6 June 1672 New Style, during the Third Anglo-Dutch War, near Southwold, Suffolk, in eastern England. A Dutch fleet under Michiel de Ruyter attacked a combined Anglo-French force in one of the largest naval battles of the age of sail. Fighting continued much of the day, but ended at sunset without a clear victory. However, the scattered Allied fleet had suffered far more damage and was forced to abandon any plans to land troops on the Dutch coast.