By Frank L Fox
From Baird Maritime:
One of England's most important and educational naval battles, the Four Days' Battle against an overwhelming fleet of Dutch ships contributed to the eventual 250 year ascendancy of the Royal Navy.
From June 1, 1666, a four-day sea battle commenced off the mouth of the Thames. It involved nearly 200 Dutch and English ships.
The English were outnumbered, out prepared and outfought. Their intelligence was inadequate.
Two implacable enemies utilising some of the best ships of their age and the smartest captains and toughest sailors beat each other to a pulp. Revolutionary tactics and manoeuvres came to light.
Strangely, while the Dutch clearly won the battle, the English turned the tables a month later. It could be said, as the author explains, that the two sides were evenly matched.
A fine and very detailed account that, if nothing else, again shows the futility of war.
Ordering Information:
