A GREAT FIGHT AT SEA, Between the English, French, Dutch, and Portugals, near Gibralterre in the straits: With the manner of their Engagement; the particulars of the Fight; and the number of Ships sunk and taken by Captain Pen, Vice-admiral for the Parliament of England Also a bloody Fight in Ireland between the Parliaments Forces, commanded by Colonel Axtel, Col. Pretty, Col. Zanchey, and Col. Cook; and the Irish under the command of Commis. General Dungan. With a List of the Colonels, Lieutenant-colonels, Majors, Captains, and the rest of the Officers and Soldiers, killed and taken prisoners on both sides. Imprinted at London, for G. samuel, 1651. A bloody Fight at Sea, between the English, French, Dutch, and Portugals; the particulars thereof, the number of ships sunk and taken; and the manner how the Parliaments ships boarded the French three times, but were still repulsed and beaten off; but laying them aboard the fourth time, forced them under Decks, killed many, and took divers prisoners. SIR, ON the 13. of this instant (after a tempestuous storm) it pleased God to admit us a fair Gale, and a seasonable calm, until such time that we had coasted near the point of Gibralterre, where we made a discovery of the rest of our Fleet under the Conduct of Vice-admiral Pen; and coming up to them, our Captain was called aboard the Fairfax Frigate, where a Council of Officers were present; and after some serious consultation touchin the French and Portugal Fleet in the straits, unanimously resolved to steer towards that coast, and fight them; and accordingly on the 14 instant, we weighed anchor, and after 9 hours' sail came within sight of them; which they perceiving, immediately prepared to receive Us, opening their portholes, put forth their Guns, and man'd their Decks; for indeed they were at least three to one; being about 33 Sail, and most consisting of those Bankers which were the only Pirates that had most annoyed the English and Dutch: Our Fleet consisted of but nine sail, but very resolved men; as appears by the ensuing Narrative, viz. When we came within a league of their Rear. Admiral, Orders were given for each man to make ready to man the Decks, the Gunners and their Assistants to prepare and open their portholes; and so each man according to his place and calling, to endeavour what in him lay to perform that duty and service which God had called him unto: This was with great care and prudence observed; and immediately the Red Flag in every ship was put forth; which being done, the Trumpets sounded, the Mariners shouted, and soon after the Canons played; for when we came within half a league of them, about 13 of their best ships were manned forth, who gave us several broad sides; which Captain Pen perceiving, immediately made up to them with the Fairfax, the Lion, the Dolphin, and the George, and gave them eight broad sides; insomuch that the Enemy declined engagement, and would fain have deserted us; but C. Pen keeping close up with them to the rest of their ships, the whole Fleets became engaged; and a bloody fight ensued, which continued for the space of two hours, and very gallantly maintained on both sides: For the Lion laid the French Admiral aboard three times, and was still repulsed and beaten off; but the fourth time she carried it, and hailing her close, entered the ship, and put most of the men to the sword, for they denied quarter. During this dispute, the valiant Fairfax, and the rest of our Fleet, plied them close with great and small shot, and killed many of them, especially the Portugal's, who lay the most open to out shot, for they charged their Canon on the outside of their ships: In this conflict we sunk 7, and boarded five more; and at last dispiersed the whole Navy, taking about 15 sail of them; so that there are not many got off, but some few Pickroons, which were too swift for us; but I am confident, they cannot be very serviceable; for the ships that we have taken are exceedingly torn, and most of the men either killed or wounded; so resolutely did they fight it out. And truly I may say, that such a mercy never did God bestow upon his poor servants at Sea, as he hath done upon Us, in giving of Us Victory over our Enemies, and making Us instrumental for the vanquishing such a formidable pyratical power as these were, with so little loss; for from the beginning to the ending, we lost not above 20 men, some few wounded, and our ships not much defaced or torn: God grant that we may live to praise & glorify the Name of the Lord for this happy deliverance: And likewise for the many and wonderful deliverances which He hath dispensed to his servants. Two Dutch men of War came in to our assistance about the middle of the fight; but it's conjectured, that it was more for their own ends, then for any love they bore to us: however, I shall censure charitably; for we have lost nothing, but they have gained; having by this means enlarged their liberty upon these Coasts. From aboard the Dolphin November the 19 1651. From Ireland we have received certain particulars of the manner of the Rebels falling upon the Parliaments Forces at Rosse, and how ●hey carried scaling ladders with them, entered the Town, and took Col. Mackworth, and divers others, prisoners: as appears by the ensuing Letter. Honoured Sir, ON the 19 of this instant Novemb. 1651. Commissary General Dungan with about 600 Horse and 800 Foot drew near to Ross, nity, g●t-over that place about 300 Foot, who marched down to the main Guard of the Town, and secures them without fire on either side, so that the Church and the Block-house had not yet received the alarm, that from thence they went to the great gate, and made shift to break it open to let in their Horse, that before the Garrison had received alarm both horse and foot were possessed of the Town, from whence they marched down, beating Drums, and sounding Trumpets, by which the Blockhouse and Church received an alarm, and being overpowred, endeavoured only to keep what they had, and left the Town to their mercy, where they took Col. Markham, Lieu. Abbot, Ensign Brown, and about 12 private soldiers: killed about 15 plundered the Town, sparing neither friend nor foe; ransacked the Magazine, seized 12 barrels of powder, match and bullet proportionable; with some Hats, stockings, and other good booty. About 9 a clock the next day they sent to the Governor for a cessation, who finding it would be no ways prejudicial to him to delay time, he being in want of provision and accommodation, (they coming so unexpectedly upon them,) they agreed upon a cessation, until 7. a Clock next morning. We had no intelligence of the business at Waterford, until 4. a Clock on the Lord's day, but upon notice thereof we made out with all the Boats and Vessels we could procure, and fell down that night within a mile of the Town, and about 10. or 11. a Clock at night the Enemy quitted the place and marched away, having agreed with the Townsmen to pay them 400 l. to save the Town from burning. Since which time we have received intelligence that Col. Cook, and Col. Axtel, with Col. Prette, have given the same Enemy a repulse, coming upon them in the County of Kildare, fell upon their rear as they were going over a pass, put them to the run, pursuing them 4. or 5. miles, about 100 kil●d in the pursuit, some prisoners taken, besides Col. Zankey hath fallen upon the Enemy about Clonmel, took about 50. prisoners: we also hear that Col. Axtel hath lately had some such success, and several small things of this kind, which though it be worth our praising the Lord for, yet not worth troubling you with unless places and persons were better known to you; the Enemy took advantage of the Armies being engaged before Galway and Limrick to make a great deal of bustling and noise up and down the Country, but the greatest business that they can effect, is to meet at a Randezvouz some thousands of them together, and have the advantage of intelligence, the Country being so wholly theirs, that presently they disperse and vanish away in their Woods and Boggs, upon the least intelligence of any party coming towards them. Waterford 22 Novemb. 1651. POSTSCRIPT. SIR, I Had no sooner drawn to a conclusion of my Letter, but immediately here arrived a Post, giving a further account of what was before recited; and also presenting a List to the Governor touching the particulars thereof; a Copy whereof I have hereunto annexed. A List of the Officers and Soldiers killed and taken prisoners at the several fights at Ross, Kildare, and Clonmel. Taken of the Parliaments Forces at Ross. Col. Markham, Lieu. Abbot, Ensign Brown, 12 Sergeants, Corporals, and private soldiers. 12 barrels of powder, 100 skeins of match, 400 weight of bullet, And divers Hats, stockings, and other rich booty. Taken of the Rebels by Col. Axtel in Kildare. 1400 Horse and foot totally routed, under the command of Gen. Dungan. 200 Killed upon the place. 100 in the pursuit. Col. Kilmock taken One Lieut. col. 3 Majors. 9 Captains. 20 Lieutenants. 7 Cornets. 9 Ensigns. 5 Quartermasters. 500 Sergeants, Corporals, and private soldiers. 600 Arms. 15 Colours, and other rich booty, which they had plundered. 150 more taken by col. Zankey. FINIS.