A SPLENDID CAPTURE. 31 



fifth was an indecisive action. The English, however, took possession of the Channel, and 

 scarcely a day passed without Dutch prizes being brought into English ports. Many of the 

 Dutch ships, returning from distant parts of the world, rounded Scotland, rather than pass 

 up the Channel. On the fifth of April, 1654, a treaty of peace was concluded; Cromwell 

 requiring, before it was signed, an admission of the English sovereignty of the seas, and 

 the Dutch consenting to strike their flag to the ships of the Commonwealth. 



One of the greatest maritime successes of the Protector's time was the capture of Spanish 

 galleons worth, with their freight, 600,000. The fleet had been lying idly off Cadiz 

 endeavouring to provoke the Spanish squadron to an engagement, or trusting to intercept 

 their returning treasure ships. Captain Stayner in the Speaker) accompanied by the Bridge- 

 water and Plymouth, left the English fleet temporarily with the intention of taking water 

 on board in a neighbouring bay. On his course he luckily fell in with eight galleons from 

 America. Such an opportunity warmed up the hitherto drooping spirits of the English 

 sailors, and they fought with fury. In a few hours one of the galleons was sunk, a second 

 burned, two ashore, and four taken prizes. They were loaded with plate, ore, and money. 

 When the treasure reached London it was placed in open carts and ammunition wagons, 

 and carried in triumph through the streets to the Tower, with a guard of only ten soldiers. 

 This rather ostentatious display of confidence in the people proved an excellent move for 

 Cromwell; nothing added more to his popularity among the lower classes. The Earl of 

 Montague, who convoyed it home, but who in reality had nothing to do with its capture, was 

 the subject of universal panegyrics and parliamentary thanks. 



If Charles II. could have reversed any of Cromwell's legislative measures, he and his 

 court would most assuredly have done so. But they were simply modified, and not to the 

 advantage of the Dutch, who were very much irritated, but attempted to gain time. Charles, 

 however, without waiting for a formal declaration of hostilities, seized 130 of their ships 

 laden with wine and brandy, homeward bound from Bordeaux, which were taken into 

 English ports, and condemned as lawful prizes, although such an act could not be justified 

 by any law of nations. War was again declared in 1665, and an action occurred off Harwich, 

 in which the celebrated Van Tromp was engaged. The Dutch lost nineteen ships, burnt or 

 sunk, with probably 6,000 men; the English lost only four vessels, and about 1,500 men. 

 Then came a coalition between the French and Dutch, and the great battle of June 1st, 1666, 

 in which England lost two admirals, and twenty-three great ships, besides smaller vessels, 

 6,000 men, and 2,600 prisoners ; and the Dutch four admirals, six ships, and 2,800 soldiers. 

 The Dutch could fairly claim the victory here, but less than eight weeks later, July 24th, 

 were thoroughly beaten, De Ruyter being driven into port, and a large number of merchant 

 ships and two men-of-war being taken immediately afterwards. While negotiations were 

 going on for peace next year, the Dutch, believing Charles to be trifling, despatched 

 De Ruyter to the Thames. - All London was in a panic. A strong chain had been thrown 

 across the Medway, but the Dutch, with favourable wind and strong tide, broke through 

 it, destroyed the fortifications of Sheerness, burnt royal and merchant ships, and pushed 

 up the river as far as Upnor Castle, near Chatham. It was even feared that the fleet would 

 sail up to London Bridge, and to prevent it, thirteen ships were sunk in the river at 

 Woolwich, and four at Blackwall. Numerous platforms furnished with artillery were 



