The Battle of Solebay, June 7, 1672, a little after two in the afternoon, as seen from the northwest: right part
Painter: Willem van de Velde (I)
Year:
Medium: pen
Description: The Battle of Solebay, June 7, 1672, a little after two in the afternoon, as seen from the northwest: right section. This two-part drawing depicts a moment from the Battle of Solebay in 1672. In this opening battle of the Third English Sea War, the State fleet led by Admiral De Ruyter fought the combined Anglo-French fleet off the coast of Suffolk, off Solebay. As in previous sea battles, Willem van de Velde sailed aboard his galleon on the Dutch side. The sea battle is in full swing. The left page shows, among other things, the Dolphin, the ship of Lieutenant Admiral Willem Joseph, Baron Van Ghent who would be killed in this battle. The burning ship Royal James is shown partly on the left and partly on the right. This frigate of Admiral Edward Mountagu, Earl of Sandwich, was hit by a Dutch burner about two o'clock in the afternoon. The Royal Prince, the Duke of York's flagship which was so damaged before noon that the Duke had to transfer his flag to the St. Michael's, was originally placed by Van de Velde on the upper right of the south axis of the compass rose, but was covered again by him with a piece of paper.
