The
Battle of Texel during the third Dutch war took place just off the Dutch
coast August 21, 1673. The Dutch fleet consisting of approximately 75
ships of the line was under the command of the accomplished Lieutenant-Admiral
Michiel de Ruijter. The opposition was an allied fleet of approximately
30 French and 60 British ships and was destined to be one of the brief
and unsuccessful alliances between the French and the British. This unfortunate
allied fleet was commanded by Prince Rupert, cousin of King Charles II.
Under him, the French fleet was led by Vice-Admiral d’Estrées,
the British by Sir Edward Spragge.
In this battle, the third one that year, the Dutch were strategically
positioned just offshore. When the Allied fleet was discovered approaching
on August 20, de Ruijter prepared immediately for action. However, the
wind was offering the Allied fleet a superior position, and the Dutch
sat still, too near shore for the Allies to dare approach. The following
day brought a more favorable wind for the Dutch, and de Ruijter initiated
an early and bold attack. On the Dutch side, Dutch Admiral Adriaen Banckert
commanded the front, de Ruijter the center, and Dutch Admiral Cornelis
Tromp the rear. On the Allied fleet, Rear Admiral de Martel commanded
the French in front, Rupert in the center, and Spragge the rear.
The Dutch fleet, though outnumbered, had more going for them than the
wind and an experienced Admiral. From the onset several factors worked
against the Allied fleet. To begin with, communications between the French
and the English were severely hampered by an age-old underlying hostility.
Sealing this disadvantage was a letter in the possession of the French
Admiral d’Estrées. It was from King Louis XIV and requested
that the French minimize their involvement to keep their ships from being
damaged. Using just a fragment of his fleet, de Ruijter was able to rapidly
dispatch the French at the onset. The remainder of the battle concentrated
on the British. With the strongest of the Dutch fleet upon them, the situation
deteriorated even more for the British when Admiral Spragge took it upon
himself, without orders, to hold back the rear in order to engage in direct
battle with the Dutch Admiral Tromp, against whom he held a personal vendetta
from earlier battles.
In this painting, Sir Edward Spragge is depicted being rowed towards the
Royal Charles, his intended third change of flagship after the first two
had been damaged beyond use during the long summer day battle. All is
soon to end for him in moments when a canon ball strikes and everyone
onboard the longboat perishes.
To
note: Spragge was so obsessed with vengeance that he at one time publicly
promised the King of England that he would return with Tromp, dead or
alive, or forfeit his own life in trying. In his determination, Spragge
recklessly held back the rear of the battle line in order to draw Tromp
into battle. By doing so, he separated the rear, adding greatly to the
confusion, and contributing to the loss of lives. He did, however, keep
his word to Charles II, and lost his life in the battle. Shortly thereafter,
however, Rupert saved the day by skillfully rejoining the British forces
and driving the Dutch into retreat.
The
historical information above was derived primarily from the book Influence
of Sea Power Upon History 1660-1783 by Alfred Thayer Mahan ©1890
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