some few men were hurt, and some other damage we had,
which will here be recruited.
The enemy having taken the ship Prosperous, one of our
Merchant men of 44 Guns, it pleased the Lord to order business
so, that our Captain retook her, and put 40 of our
own men into her; she is now safe here in the Harbor Many
prizes are taken:
From aboard the Water-hound, in Dover Road Febr. 21.
On Friday the 18 instant, off Portland, we descried the
Dutch Fleet, which at first we counted to be 150 sail, but
afterward they proved more. The wind was at W. N. W.
and we could not get it of them, which both in Land and
Sea fights is a great advantage in regard of the smoke. General
Blake being more weatherly then others, charged
through them, and laid his sore sail upon the Mast, and came
off gallantly. The enemies Merchantmen kept at a distance
a-head their men of war a great way. They had but three
Fire-ships in their Fleet; which they fired, but did us no
hurt. The fight continued till night parted us.
The next day being Saturday, we made toward them again,
and were forced to follow them upon the chace[unr] good
while, before we could get up with their men of War; For,
they had carried a good sail in the right time; and among
others that were brought by lee and destroyed, was the
Holland of Roterdam, a ship of 30 Guns, which was set on
fire by one sent of purpose who brought away eleven of the
prisoners; But we have aboard this vessell 50 in all; among
whom one is a Lieutenant, who tells us their Fleet consisted
of 82 sail, men of war from 24 to 56 guns.
They had four Admirals, viz. Admiral Tromp 66 guns,
Jan Everson Flushing 46 guns, De Ruyter 40. and John
Carbrancy of Amsterdam 38 guns: But many other ships
there were of greater force, among whom the Fuglestruce
of Amsterdam was one, an East-Indy ship of 1200 Tuns
and 46 guns, whereof some Brass; she had 15 Ports of a
side on the lower Tyre. She was by order of the Generals
conveyed for Portsmouth, having one hundred and odd