A TRUE RELATION Of the late GREAT FIGHT AT SEA, BY THE ENGLISH FLEET, AND THE HOLLANDERS: Between DOVER and CALIS.  
On Wednesday, the 19 of this instant May 1652.  
From a very sure Hand.  
Printed at Leith by Evan Tyler. 1652.   

A True Relation of the late Great Fight at Sea, by the English Fleet, and the Hollanders, between Dover and Calis.  
On Wednesday the 19 of this instant May, 1652.  
Loving Friend,  
THE Hollanders have deceived you, and many others, (but themselves most.) In the height of their spirits they came upon our Coasts, with about Forty Sail: upon Tuesday last they sent two of their Frigates into the Downs, whilst the others hovered up and down about the South-end of Goodwin: They saluted our Vice-admiral, Major Bourn. Our Admiral was then with his Guard about Dunghilness; They were resaluted. The two Captains came a-board, with (as may be conceived) a lie in their mouths: Their request was, to come in and water at Deal, under pretence they were forced from their Anchors, by foul weather, from their own Road, so that they came away unprovided Major Bourn asked them, Whether they would strike their Flags; for they were then up where they were. They replied, They had Order to strike to no Nation. Major Bourn replied; Neither had he any Order to give them leave to come in to water. This was the salute; and having given them the entertainment with a Glass of Wine, the two Dutch Captains departed to the Ships; and at their going out of the Downs, gave another fair Salute, which was answered with the like Civility. So, the Dutch Fleets anchored between the Light-house and Dover Castle that night; and next day about one or two of the clock in the afternoon, (in the mean time there was Intelligence went between General Blake, and Major Bourn) and it seemed by the event, the Resolution was, That our two Squadrons should meet, so soon as Wind and Tide would give them leave; for the wind was contrary to Gen. Blake, being Northerly, so that he was fain to wait the Tide. which was about one or two of the clock: and the wind fitted Major Bourn. So soon as they weighed their Anchors, and hoist sail, the Hollander did the like, they lying between our two Squadrons, and observing their motion: At first, we by their sailing, thought they had made homeward, without any intention to fight, for they were gone near half Seas over, between us and Calis, and by the way received an addition of Ships, as we could plainly discover: But on a sudden, a Warning-piece being shot off, they all tacked about, and made for our Coasts somewhat: but for the most part, kept themselves near the middle of the Channel , as if bound that ways against Dover. Our two Squadrons being somewhat near together, they also drew near: And the Dutch Admiral, before the rest of his Fleet, with one Friggot, bore up to our Admiral, with the Flag up: Our Admiral shot to have him strike; this he did twice: And then they to their broad sides, Pell Mell, with as much force as any Sea-Fight hath been managed since 88 The Fight began about six in the afternoon, and held till between nine and ten, the Dutch Admiral being extremely beaten, so that he was fain to lie upon the Lees, and came little in Play after the first fierce Encounter. Our men went on with much resolution, and Performance, as you can imagine men to do. The Lord gave them Courage beyond measure: many Volunteers offered themselves from Dover, and Deal, and did very good Service; about fifty men came from Sandwich, but a little too late; I add this to let you see how the spirits of the English are raised up against the Dutch, though the number of their Ships were double to ours, we having but twenty four, whereof two of them being fire ships that did no service, and theirs about fifty; we saw at the back of the sands, which we suppose might be about 20. Sail, which some of Dover say, came in before the Fight was ended; however it pleased the Lord to honour our Nation with this most incomparable Victory as great as any we have had, if considered in itself, and in the Consequences of it: But to be short, we sunk one of the greatest Ships, took another of Forty Guns: I saw the Ensign of it at the stern of a Catch, sent in by General Blake to the Major of the T●●●●…n trailing them in the water, under ●●e English Colours: The rest of the Hollanders Fleet being (well) beaten, silently in the Night, withdrew themselves (as was conceived) to Calais, and since we have not seen them: Our Fleet (I suppose) by this time, may be near Dover-Road to refresh themselves, and to take care for their wounded men: Yet this is a mercy not to be omitted, that there is not a Captain of the Fleet hurt, nor any Officer of Note slain: In our Admiral which sustained the greatest Brunt in the Fight, there were eight slain, and twelve ●●●…ound●d; what, on how many in other Ships, I know not. This which I have written, I am confident to be very true: What, I was not a Spectator of, I have from the Major of Dover, and other honest men of credit,  
Vale. Dover, M●…. 〈…〉. 1652. Your very loving Friend I. H.  
FINIS.