battle known dutch major naval action fought october royal_navy fleet admiral fleet vice admiral jan winter battle significant action british dutch forces french revolutionary wars resulted complete victory british captured dutch ships losing overrun army reorganised french client state early suffered heavy losses disastrous winter campaign dutch fleet ordered reinforce french brest rendezvous occurred continental allies failed british channel forces north_sea fleets spring september dutch fleet blockaded harbour british north_sea fleet duncan start october duncan forced return supplies opportunity conduct brief raid north_sea dutch fleet returned dutch coast october duncan waiting intercepted coastal village attacking dutch line battle loose groups duncan ships broke rear van subsequently engaged dutch frigates lined battle split south numerous british overwhelmed dutch rear north evenly matched exchange centred battling dutch fleet attempted reach shallower waters effort escape british attack british division joined combat eventually forced surrender dutch flagship ships loss flagship prompted surviving dutch ships disperse retreat duncan recalling british ships prizes journey route fleet struck series prizes wrecked recaptured remainder reached britain casualties fleets heavy dutch followed british practice firing hulls enemy ships masts rigging caused higher losses british crews normally experienced continental navies dutch fleet broken independent fighting force losing ships men british forces confronted years later incident dutch sailors confronted superior british fire power face pro insurrection abandoned ships surrendered background winter forces overran neighbouring french revolutionary wars french reorganised country client state named joined france allies war coalition important dutch assets french gained control captured frozen harbour french cavalry advancing ice dutch fleet provided substantial reinforcement french forces northern european waters principally based brest atlantic_ocean main opponent royal_navy channel_fleet location main anchorage dutch fleet waters prompted reorganisation distribution british warships northern european waters new focus importance north_sea navy suffering severe shortages men equipment theatres war deemed important small old poorly maintained ships activated reserve based principally port command admiral year old duncan veteran wars war austrian succession seven years war american revolutionary war fought numerous engagements distinction success standing noted physical strength size contemporary described gigantic french_navy suffered series sided defeats opening years war suffering heavy losses glorious june grand following january late prompting representatives society dedicated ending british rule launched large scale attempt invade ireland known ended disaster ships lost thousands men drowned fierce winter ambitions frustrated representatives led turned new state support promised assistance coming year united french dutch fleet plan formulated merge french dutch fleets attack ireland summer tone joined staff vice admiral jan winter flagship dutch troops equipped preparation operation fleet waiting best moment advantage easterly winds sweep past british blockade english channel mutiny royal_navy early years war successful commitment global conflict creating severe strain available equipment men financial resources navy expanded ships start conflict personnel increased men achievement possible result service abducted criminals unwilling compulsory service sea wages increased usually months late rations terrible shore leave forbidden discipline harsh tensions fleet gradually rising start war february anonymous sailors channel_fleet sent letters commander lord howe support improving conditions list deliberately ignored instructions lord admiralty lord april sailors responded mutiny largely peaceful strike action led delegation seamen ship tasked negotiating authorities enforcing discipline month fleet remained stalemate lord howe able negotiate series improvements conditions enabled return regular service mutiny achieved aims increasing pay removing unpopular officers improving conditions men serving channel_fleet ultimately navy continued duncan retained order sheer force personality men flagship rigging cheers signal revolt begin duncan initially threatened run sword subordinates instead assembled officers aboard ship advanced men rigging demanding know fierce tone men fell silent returned quarters personally quarterdeck issuing general pardon dismissing duty following week assembled men demanded know follow orders response crew nominated spokesman apologised actions saying honour pardon hearts gratitude tears eyes offense given commanders proved father week later similar outbreak mutiny affected fourth rate ship captain duncan acted decisively coming aboard adamant crew rebelled demanding know man disputed authority sailor stepped forward duncan seized shirt ship arm crying look fellow command fleet mutiny instantly mutiny despite initial success duncan unable retain control face widespread revolt ships based known mutiny led sailor named quickly organised significant threat water traffic thames estuary duncan informed fleet ordered attack reluctant responded shrink business got better rumours plan reached fleet crew expressed plan reaffirmed promise loyalty admiral circumstances news arrived dutch fleet preparing sail duncan fleet ordered lord blockade dutch coast duncan issued orders fleet weigh anchor men ship ship officers joined left adamant contain entire dutch fleet duncan later wrote deserted fleet face enemy disgrace believe happened british admiral supposed possible aware escape dutch fleet north_sea vulnerable time disastrous britain duncan maintained position days wind ideal dutch foray disguised vessels different ships day ordered frigate hms signals fictitious british fleet horizon subsequently joined additional ships fourth day conditions perfect dutch anchored squadron channel gave orders fight ships sank blocking channel speech men announced flag continue fly water ship company disappeared expected attack came dutch army joined fleet prepared duncan misleading signals successfully convinced large british fleet waited horizon winds subsequently changed direction june ships joined duncan squadron channel_fleet june russian squadron arrived duncan sea mutiny fallen apart blockade government forces cut food supplies public support decidedly mutiny parker issued threats ships control handed french government fighting subsequently broke radical leaders moderate majority seamen ships gradually deserted parker returned june ships flew red flag eventually rebellious ship parker surrendered june cruise middle august weeks constant easterly winds kept ships trapped harbour decided attempt join french brest stage invasion ireland impractical abandoned plan decision strength duncan fleet increased ships line addition vessels returned duncan men better trained experienced dutch counterparts having spent considerably longer sea having taught fire rounds minute dutch addition concerns proficiency men worried loyalty dominion france country enforced participation distant theatres warfare unpopular dutch people republican fought netherlands support remained strong dutch population fleet sailors tone wrote frustration destiny europe changed great occasion lost news decision reached admiralty recalled duncan blockade fleet refit october admiral insisting sending ships dutch coast days later captain hms russell accompanied small ships martin hired armed cutter arrival october coincided delayed expedition sources particularly france claimed determined bring duncan battle reality concerned men inexperienced long stay port reluctantly orders government conduct brief sweep search weak british forces overwhelmed fleet drawn dangerous shallow waters dutch coastline hoping plan augment french brest able pass westwards english channel fleet consisted ships line number smaller support craft orders included instructions remember frequently maintained honour dutch flag enemy forces superior theirs preparing ships sea took time dutch manage leave october turning southwest hope linking dutch ship line mouth hours discovered followed dutch fleet watched constantly ships duncan sent observe dutch preparations sail observed message sent duncan informing dutch movements vessel flew signal enemy entered roads early morning october time docked british fleet preparing sail duncan sending final message admiralty wind shall good course god hope squadron command shall sea immediately midday duncan sailed ships ready steered mouth intending intercept return evening fleet strength having rejoined afternoon october ships anchored dutch port scouts reporting merchant ships harbour sign warships leaving unable escape ships evening october dutch vessels detached drive squadron away dutch fleet lay close faster british vessels having failed rendezvous turned northwest cruising suffolk unsuccessfully attempting drive away squadron reports dutch fishing vessels duncan appearance reached immediately recalled ships ordered fleet turn dutch coast aiming village messages reporting dutch movements reached duncan turned fleet west following dutch coastline morning october squadron sighted sails northeast confirming duncan fleet signalled dutch fleet approximately nautical miles southwest visible fleet clear sighting reported captain climbed mainmast better view point dutch sailing land approximately nautical miles coast close village weather poor heavy seas strong wind southeast broken frequent rain prevent hundreds dutch civilians gathering dunes watch impending combat duncan attack duncan signal prepare battle organised ships line battle meet british attack solid defensive formation sailing port northeasterly heading assigned stations dutch fleet drew closer shore duncan intended follow lord howe manoeuvres glorious june years earlier bring ship dutch line opponents dutch formation proximity shore rendered plan impractical compensate duncan signalled ships form line sail southeast port wind directly shortly concerned dutch shoreline bring battle despite insistence determined fight ships land sea duncan ordered fleet turn southwards advance enemy bear sail large fired signal guns alert captains ordered engage enemy arriving van attack dutch rear duncan sought remedy increasing gaps vessels ordering faster ships slow wait effort establish line starboard realising dutch fleet order awaiting british attack continually drawing closer dangerous coastline abandoning previous signals duncan ordered entire fleet turn dutch attack directly ship steer engage opponent signals poorly executed incorrect visibility low squadron obsolete signal codes number vessels failed duncan intentions turning advancing line ragged pattern scattered vessels loose groups orders quick contradictory captain gave entirely scottish captain threw signal book deck frustration shouted gang middle combined effect duncan orders split fleet uneven divisions sailing loose formation unified dutch line northern division comprised rate ships line fourth rate ships frigate tasked repeating signals flagship led division ardent close force aiming dutch flagship lay fifth dutch line southern division comprised rate ships line frigate led vice admiral hms monarch force aiming rear dutch line strike fourth ship end divisions lay line small craft tasked repeating duncan signals entire fleet intentions duncan raised signal ship pass dutch line attack far poor weather prevented distant ships recognising signal originally intended close line solid defensive platform retreat shallower waters duncan formed line battle sudden british attack thrown plans confusion result gaps opened van centre rear leaving ships greatly outnumbered gave urgent orders van centre drop assist rear little time situation looked desperate dutch british lines mustered ships british vessels larger strongly built dutch counterparts crews experienced seamen heavy weather conditions dutch crews confined port previous year little understanding skills required combat sea dutch line battle accompanied second line east formed frigates smaller craft vessels unlike smaller ships british fleet armed situated guns covered gaps ships formed dutch line battle ready british vessels attempted break battle collapse dutch rear guard duncan raised signal ordering ships engage enemy closely time dutch ship rear admiral fourth southern end line opened fire rapidly approaching monarch dutch ships waited british effective range order effect shot soon flagship fire entire rearguard dutch line ship suffering damage attempting break dutch line monarch captain remarked ship pass closely formed dutch ships admiral responded monarch passage striking small gap ships fired vessels turned lay ship alongside flagship dutch frigate brig pulled second line attempted fill gap monarch created firing british ship line response opened fire smaller vessels destroying frigate wheel damaging rigging ship fell followed later severely damaged brig monarch immediately followed hms powerful captain passed gap poured destructive fire time attacked line west captain attacked dutch ship gun attacks accompanied fire passed ships hms director bounty fame passed dutch line reached battered engaging ship close range joined northern engagement cutting turning pursuit dutch centre adamant reached fight late joining attack battered hms remained apart battle entirely passing dutch line extreme range account reports board stray shot passed high deck officer seen drawing crew danger sir captain subsequently court dismissed confusion tail dutch line chaotic melee british ships line fighting dutch frigate close action british ships found risk firing high seas heavy rain poor visibility dutch centre consisting ships line fifth rate mars pulled away engagement rear admiral coming distant fire ships division isolated dutch rearguard rapidly overwhelmed surrendering attack battered seized frigate battle dutch rearguard overwhelmed british numbers equal combat contested north combat centred duncan engaging minutes monarch broke line south duncan originally intended break line ship story ensured gap vessel flagship break combined fire dangerous advancing duncan instead cut story ship twice causing drift confusion duncan engaged east diverted south attacked west ardent captain smaller british ship soon suffered casualties including killed combined fire flagship ship ahead arrival alongside allowed ardent brief respite fight men fought like including wife gunners insisted joining husband gun legs torn cannon fire short period ardent surrounded frigates second line joined attack isolated british vessels height combat colours signal flags brought cannon fire ensure suggestion flagship surrendered sailor named mainmast replaced battle beneath support duncan captain captain sir drove forward battle triumph coming close alongside opening heavy fire attacked hercules tip line attacked starboard captain passing gap hercules ahead combat lead ships hms isis fought alongside isis having failed break dutch line instead drawn port dutch central division joined battle head line shortly engagement triumph causing considerable damage british vessels particularly british flagship soon isolated midst dutch van engaging general admiral simultaneously despite heavy odds duncan continued fight hard british succeeded knocking opponents wounding captain drifted eastwards confusion shots triumph set powder barrel hercules fire blaze ship soon spread sails rigging prompted battle crew hercules desperately attempted blaze dutch ships escape burning vessel drifted melee shortly battered surrendered triumph captain holland dead quarterdeck triumph moved battle time crew raised colours fired dutch brig reinforcement following victory dutch rearguard admiral ordered damaged ships sail support outnumbered british ships melee dutch van powerful director quickest respond joining attack russell driving northwards join attack encountered extinguished hercules crew thrown ammunition overboard fire prevent ship exploding ship commander surrendering immediately remainder british fleet arrived battle captain firing near head dutch line aware vessel unable resist attack surviving officers turned away shore rapidly followed portions dutch line arrival british reinforcements retreat sections dutch fleet battle complete battered surrendered second time russell badly damaged escape struck colours eventually dutch flagship remained combat hour continued resistance director holding station stern repeatedly masts brought fire starboard battery officer remained standing wrecked quarterdeck refusing lower colours attempt settle combat captain director closed yards dutch flagship demanded know surrendered dutch admiral replied think attempted personally raise signals demanding reinforcements rest fleet find shot away summoned ship carpenter ordered repair barge admiral transfer command ship continue battle british sailors director boarded drifting flagship discovered assisting carpenter repairs barge informed prisoner war replied destiny checking mortally wounded officer lay quarterdeck followed boarding party boat trip aftermath immediately taken duncan dutch officer holding sword token surrender duncan refused weapon instead shaking hand insisting brave man hand sword addition losses rear ships dutch van captured frigate attacked second line remainder dutch ships fled making rapid progress coastal duncan follow dutch coast nautical miles away ship lay yards water weather fierce ships battered risk combat waters instead ordered ships ensure control prizes return britain ships terrible casualties suffered surgeon ardent worst hit british ships worked hours break later wrote melancholy cries assistance addressed wounded dying pain despair midst scenes able preserve firm collected worst wounded belief determined news shattering victory brought raised cheer declared regretted loss limbs casualties battle heavy sides historians noted losses british ships higher british fleets met french spanish opposition attributed dutch tactics mirrored british firing enemy hulls attempting disable masts rigging continental navies worst hit british ships wave ardent casualties monarch adamant escaped single man killed wounded dead captain ardent wounded included captain triumph total british losses recorded battle killed wounded later assessments based charitable requirements wounded killed gave higher figures killed wounded including subsequently died british ships badly damaged taking large quantities water damaged hulls worst hit completely dismantled reconstructed returning britain ship ready active service dutch casualty returns particularly captured ships vague partially complete losses captain holland killed early battle lost struck thigh died shortly effects wound admiral died prisoner england result wounds suffered aboard remains subsequently returned netherlands military honours large numbers wounded dutch fleet including dutch officers escape injury death later commented matter marvel gigantic objects admiral duncan escaped general day total dutch losses later reported men killed wounded worst hit loss half total complement return journeys duncan assembled men fit attend church service return thanks god hours year old duncan remained duty break organising scattered fleet journey home british admiral find time play game cabin dinner dutch admiral lost rubber commented hard beaten twice day man october duncan completed official sent ahead ships captain cutter rose praised men special mention late called good officer sincere friend permitted send despatches government blamed story centre maintaining combat longer attributed overwhelming british numbers defeat suggested captured british fleet better supported letter later published provoked storm criticism britain officer describing account ought know collected people shore knew action afternoon october gale sprang inflicted damage battered ships caused water shot holes ships hulls aboard dutch ships situation especially dangerous casualties significantly higher particularly board british vessels small numbers british sailors placed aboard prize crews unable cope high winds masts collapsed deck huge quantities water leaked hulls captured early stages battle command dutch lieutenant british lieutenant small prize crew men ninety dutch prisoners removed remaining dutch sailors wounded men gale intensified rapidly clear despite tow line attached veteran ship reach britain large board raised deck message ship sinking reacting boats nearby ships organised evacuation began loading dutch prisoners transfer vessels offered place rescue boat veteran dutch officer refused wounded brought lower decks flooded leave men response cried god brave fellow hand word stay prize crew left second rescue boat sent russell waited trip bring remaining wounded men junior dutch officers elected stay help arrive suddenly throwing clear ship sank seen water reached safety swimming prizes lost british fleet supplied prize crew men separated lost remaining masts crew fitted jury masts collapsed hull flooded depth feet october aware ship soon founder prize master instructed dutch run ship dutch coast local boats came stranded vessel aboard saved british prisoners taken prison hulk ship wrecked repair abandoned captured frigate driven ashore sinking state prize crew prisoner case ship salvaged later returned dutch service contrast british difficulties survivors dutch fleet problems returning exception admiral sailed coast hinder october gun british frigate captain sir found closed larger damaged dutch ship opened fire responding broadside williams successfully opponent twice complicated tides dutch coast dragged ship range press attack firing rockets hope attracting attention duncan ships williams rewarded arrival october frigates hunted opponents found dutch ships channel frigates closed withdrew passing deeper dutch waters reaching safety british frigates quarry having escaped returned duncan struggling fleet effects october duncan convoy began arrive greeted great celebrations ships delayed sea adverse northwesterly wind news victory spread britain october duncan created baron duncan admiral captains henry king insisted meeting duncan personally october set royal yacht royal charlotte strong winds waves forced port november unable reach duncan flagship king instead rewarded fleet men condemned role mutiny held aboard prison hulk similar awarded rear admiral gold medals created presented captains voted thanks victory promoted commander duncan presented valuable presentation swords valued respectively duncan given pension year government freeman numerous towns cities subject presentations numerous patriotic societies particularly scotland awarded valuable plate birth city county public subscription taken wounded raised equivalent duncan travelled reception november mob surrounded carriage street horses dragged hill mark respect december king lead thanksgiving procession ceremony london duncan carried flag carried flag followed mitchell walker gregory numerous seamen fleet decades later battle actions recognised attached awarded application british participants living reactions positive duncan captains criticised failure rapidly decisively engage enemy including captain wells lancaster worst criticism fell captain barely engaged battle suffered single casualty result accused failing duty captain court december aboard charges signals going action history junior officer captain voyage pacific_ocean bringing boats evacuate cook attack result cook trapped beach stabbed death conclusion trial january found guilty charge guilty resulting post captains list prohibition naval service reported died shortly dismissal service later claimed instead gone hiding assumed continued draw pension years officers deemed failed duty london battle placed blame ships failed follow orders withdrawn early battle officers brought charges including admiral convicted court martial dismissed service later reinstated commander convicted imprisoned admiral story criticised particularly permitted command satisfied government option retreat captured dutch ships bought royal_navy names cases simpler completely renamed prior existence ships names royal_navy hercules ships sufficient condition service open waters damage suffered proved severe fully repaired addition ships dutch construction lighter hulls bottoms ships nations designed operate shallow waters dutch coast result little use ocean going royal_navy prizes immediately relegated harbour duty line service prize court took years determine prize money awarded battle initial estimates equivalent proved duncan men eventually awarded equivalent forced defend claim behalf squadron reinforced duncan force played battle considered liability benefit british commanders claim rejected legal fees claims reduced eventual payment following award instalment duncan given unique honour permission buy shares market price legacy considered greatest victory british fleet equal enemy force date historian noted battle lost rank significance greater romantically glorious events followed effects action wider war hugely important losses suffered ships men morale gave royal_navy superiority north_sea position enhanced disruption battle caused french negotiations alliance historian describes northern powers scandinavia destruction dutch fleet blow french ambitions invade ireland denied atlantic fleet essential reinforcements played decision abandon efforts attack britain directly early significant british russian expeditionary force landed netherlands supported large fleet lord duncan sea land remainder admiral story fight known incident political divisions officers seamen resulted mutiny dutch sailors threw ammunition overboard britain public relief restoration navy authority aftermath spring enormous helped steady british government pursuit war restoring confidence british naval supremacy home waters notes events led new blatant patriotism centred achievements popular rhyme time reflected public feeling duncan spanish french dutch united fear cries beat country beat native coast duncan initial tactics battle reminiscent howe glorious june eventual attack compared nelson tactics battle duncan credited tactical work inspiring decisions day duncan subsequently indirectly criticised years battle colleague won battle cape vincent spanish fleet months letter complaining clerk assertion responsible major naval victories war wrote duncan brave officer little naval tactics quickly embarrassed saw enemy rushed thinking order battle conquer calculated brave example set captains event justified expectation assessment refuted captain publicly responded advanced season year close proximity enemy coast occasion appeared necessary prompt decision admiral result modern historians agreed assertion added suggestion duncan tactics battle influence newly promoted rear admiral sir england recovering loss right arm battle santa time duncan felt noting obliged attack leagues sea escaped highest praise came opponent wrote waiting form line ruined got nearer shore attacked probably drawn fleets victory coast duncan health deteriorated battle forcing retirement navy contributing death actions battle commended wrote dutch admiral displayed person compelled length yield superior skill superior bravery noted battle prowess claimed respect enemy applause world released captivity news reached britain wife suffered stroke subsequently ambassador france resuming command dutch fleet start napoleonic wars trusted subordinate king holland honoured emperor napoleon sudden death paris following year battle popular theme contemporary artists paintings depicting held national collections united_kingdom including paintings literature battle played central role novel novel battle inspired composers composition created honour victory jan created composition entitled naval battle total defeat dutch admiral duncan royal_navy commemorated battle ships bore seven named maintained close links duncan hometown commemorated house originally seat completed later public park tourist attraction battle celebrated glorious victory exhibition city conjunction exhibition popular tourist attraction viewed visitors october memorial service held remember dead new statue admiral duncan unveiled town
Battle of Camperdown