The Battle of the Camperdown (Kamperduin) took place on the 11th October 1797 off the Dutch coast.
The Royal Navy, under the command of Admiral Adam Duncan with 24 ships defeated a Dutch fleet of 25 ships under the command of Admiral Jan Willem de Winter.
Summary:
The British attacked in two columns with Duncan leading one line in Venerable and Vice-Admiral Richard Onslow leading the other in Monarch. The British attacked quickly to prevent the Dutch ships from reaching the protection of shallow waters near the coast. Venerable broke through the Dutch line and engaged de Winter's flagship, Vrijheid and several other British ships broke through as well. After a close action several Dutch ships managed to flee east; 11 were captured including the flagship, Vrijheid, but the British ships were too damaged to pursue.
British casualties were 220 killed and 812 wounded; Dutch casualties were 540 killed and 620 wounded. Admiral de Winter, taken prisoner when his flagship, dismasted and with over half her crew killed or wounded, struck attempted to hand his sword to Duncan who refused and shook his hand instead.
Novels based around this battle.
Ships Present
British Fleet - Windward Division
Triumph (74) William Essington
Venerable (74) Flag - Admiral Adam Duncan, Cptn. - William Fairfax
Ardent (64) Richard Burges (Killed in Action)
Bedford (74)Thomas Byard
Lancaster (64) John Wells
Belliqueux (64) John Inglis
Adamant (50) William Hotham
Isis (50) William Mitchell
Circe (28)Peter Halkett
British Fleet - Leeward Division
Russell (74) Henry Trollope
Director (64) William Bligh
Montagu (74) John Knight
Veteran (64) George Gregory
Monarch (74) Flag - Vice-Admiral Richard Onslow, Cptn. - Edward O'Brien
Powerful (74) William Drury
Monmouth (64) James Walker
Agincourt (64) John Williamson
Beaulieu (40) Francis Fayerman
Dutch Fleet - Line of Battle
Gelijkheid (68) Cdr. H. A. Ruijsch Captured
Beschermer (56) Cptn. Hinxt (Killed in Action)
Hercules (64) Cdr. Rijsoort Caught fire & captured
Tjerk Hiddes De Vries (68) Cptn. J. B. Zegers Captured
Vrijheid (74) Flag - Admiral Jan Willem de Winter, Cdr. - L. W. van Rossum (Killed in Action) Captured
Staten-Generaal (74) Flag - Rear-Admiral Samuel Story, Cptn. - ?
Wassenaar (64) Cdr. A. Holland (Killed in Action) Captured
Batavier (56) Cdr. Souter
Brutus (74) Flag - Rear-Admiral Bloys van Treslong, Commodore Polders
Leijden (68) Cdr. J. D. Musquetier
Mars (44) Cdr. J. H. Kloff
Cerberus (68) Cdr. Jacobsen
Jupiter (72) Flag - Vice-Admiral Reyntjes, Cptn. - ? Captured
Haarlem (68) Cptn. O. Wiggerts Captured
Alkmaar (56) Cptn. J. W. Krafft Captured
Delft (54) Cptn. G. Verdooren Captured. Sank on 14th
British Fleet - Also Present
Martin (16) Cdr. Charles Paget
Active (12) Lt. J. Hamilton
Diligent (12) Lt. T. Dawson
King George (12) Lt. James Rains
Rose 10) Lt. Joseph Brodie
Speculator (8) Lt. H. Hales
Dutch Fleet - Frigate Line
Atalante (18) Cdr. B. Pletsz
Heldin (32) Cdr. Dumenil de Lestrille
Galathée (18) Cdr. Riverij Captured
Minerva (24) Cdr. Eijlbrecht
Ajax (18) Lt. Arkenbout
Waakzaamheid (24) Cdr. Meindert Van Mierop
Ambuscade (36) Cdr. J. Huijs Captured, aground and recaptured later
Daphne (18) Lt. Frederiks
Monnikendam (44) Cdr. Thomas Lancester Captured & wrecked
Haasje (6) Lt. Hartingveld
Plan of the Battle
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