England's Historic Seascapes: Southwold to Clacton
Oxford Archaeology (South), 2007. https://doi.org/10.5284/1000277. How to cite using this DOI
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 746
- ALSF Project Number: 4729
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000277
- How to cite using this DOI
England's Historic Seascapes:
Southwold to Clacton
ALSF Project Number 4729
Oxford Archaeology, 2007
Dunwich Bay
The Battle of Sole Bay
The Battle of Sole Bay took place on 7th June 1672 and was the first naval battle of the Third Anglo-Dutch War. A combined English and French fleet had been assembled with the intention of blockading the Dutch fleet in their home ports to enable the English and French to take control of the lucrative trade with Asia and was at anchor off Southwold when the Dutch attacked unexpectedly. The Anglo-French fleet was caught unprepared, with many of the crew still on shore leave. Although a French frigate warned of the Dutch approach, the Anglo-French fleet was further surprised when the attack came from the north-east rather than the south-east. The French fleet became detached from the English, who were left to fight alone. The battle was inconclusive, with both sides claiming victory, but the losses to the English fleet, including the destruction of the flag ship Royal James, were such that the proposed blockade of the Dutch fleet was never attempted. Five wrecks from the battle are known (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/).
Caption: Battle of Sole Bay
Artist: De Velde
Source: Wikipedia
