Battle of Plymouth

49°57′50″N 4°12′36″W / 49.964°N 4.210°W / 49.964; -4.210

Battle of Plymouth
Part of First Anglo-Dutch War
Dutch print of the battle
Date 16 August 1652 Location Off Plymouth, English Channel Result Dutch victory
Belligerents
Dutch Republic	Commonwealth of England
Commanders and leaders
Michiel de Ruyter	George Ayscue
Strength
22 warships 6 fire ships 900 guns 3,300 men	38 warships 4 frigates 4 fire ships 1,100 guns 4,300 men
Casualties and losses
~100 killed or wounded	~650 killed or wounded

The Battle of Plymouth was a naval battle in the First Anglo-Dutch War. It took place on 16 August 1652 (26 August 1652 (Gregorian calendar)^[a] and was a short battle, but had the unexpected outcome of a Dutch victory over England. General-at-Sea George Ayscue of the Commonwealth of England attacked an outward bound convoy of the Dutch Republic commanded by Vice-Commodore Michiel de Ruyter. The two commanders had been personal friends before the war. The Dutch were able to force Ayscue to break off the engagement, and the Dutch convoy sailed safely to the Atlantic while Ayscue sailed to Plymouth for repairs.^[1]

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