The last great and terrible SEA-FIGHT BETWEEN The English and the Dutch, on Tuesday and Wednesday last, upon the Western Sound near Cornwall, continuing for the space of two and twenty hours: The particulars of this bloody Conflict; the manner of Engagement; and how Sir G. Ayscue charged quite through the enemy's fleet with the Rainbow, with the loss of 12 men, and 60 shot in the Hull; the number of ships sunk, taken, and burnt on both sides; the great loss that befell the English in the Bonaventure, Elizabeth, and George; the ships rend and battered; and Capt. Pack, and divers others, torn limb from limb with Canon-shot. Brought by the last Post, Sunday August 22. And published according to Order.   depiction of a sea-battle with two ships or galleons and two smaller vessels 
London, Printed for G. Horton; and sold at the Royal Exchange in Cornhill.   

A Terrible and Bloody Sea-fight between the English and the Dutch, upon the Coast of Cornwall: with the particulars thereof; and the number of ships sunk, burnt and taken on both sides; the like dispute hath not been heard of these many years.  
Right Honourable,  
ON the fourteenth instant, the Dutch Armado (consisting of fourscore and ten sail, and twelve Fireships) mounted on their Warlike Throne, set forth Precepts to our sons of Thunder, and chased Captain Bane into this Harbour, who brings advertisements to the Major and Governor, that the whole Fleet are standing up towards the Isle of Wight; from whence we hear, that they bore up on the backside, and sailed directly to Sir George Ayscue, who were riding thirty miles off from Plymouth: And on the sixteenth instant, De-Witte their Admiral, with the rest of his Men of War, even like a Grove of Cedars, bore up with hoist and booming sails towards the Southeast Sound, resolving to act the Theatre of War upon that part of Neptune's Region; in order thereunto, the Vice-Admiral of Zealand, with twenty stout ships, and eleven Frigates, drew forth, and prepared themselves for an Assault; which Sir George Ayscue perceiving, gave immediate Orders and Instructions to all his Captains, to ply windward, and to receive their salutation, which was acted with such a revengeful rage, that both parties being inflamed, resolved to fight until the one was tamed; insomuch, that Sir George with the Rainbow, charged them quite through, but not being able to go to the windward of all, received 40 broad sides, and with great difficulty got off, only with the loss of three men, and his Boltsplit. In the midst of this dispute, the rest of our ships were not silent; but each man acted with an  courage and resolution; And from four of the clock, till 8 at night, the fight was extreme hot; Then Nights sable Curtains being drawn the dispute ceased, and both fleets lay in a defensive posture against each other, with all their lights hanging forth. This Conflict was maintained with great gallantry and resolution on both sides; and great was the execution; for we have received great loss, the George and Bonaventure, being much shattered and torn, and for the present unfit for service; divers were rend limb from limb by the Canon-shot; some had their arms shot off; others, their legs; amongst the rest, valiant Captain Pack, (an excellent stout Seaman) hath his leg shot off; Captain Lisle is wounded in the shoulder, and since dead; Capt. Clerk is said to be slain, & divers others. Sir George lost 12 men, besides some wounded; and received 60 shot in her Hull; the Samson, Elizabeth, and divers others, received great loss, and many a stout Seaman hath made the Sea his grave; and too too many (for the present) lies languishing of their wounds.  
Yet notwithstanding, the Hollander hath little cause to brag, for his loss is exceeding great, many of their ships are rend and torn; the Rear Admiral is sunk, the Captain of Flushing, the Arms of Holland (beware the Body next) and three other gallant ships.  
However, the Dutchmen resolved not to decline engagement; but lay in a defensive posture till Tuesday morning; at which time, they hung forth their bloody flag of defiance, on the Topmast head; and gave sundry Volleys from aboard, retaining them as Trophies of Victory; the which, did so exasperate the spirits of the English, that a Council of War was called, to consult what to do, in further proceed against the enemy, and it was unanimously resolved by the said Council to engage them again: Hereupon preparation was made, and after prayers, and seeking of God, for a blessing upon their enterprise, the Admiral, with 33 Men of War, hoist sail, and stood up towards them; and about one of the clock in the Afternoon, both Navies engaged, and for the space of seven hours furiously was the fight maintained, and great execution again done on both sides, especially to the Hollanders; but the night drawing on, the dispute ended: And this morning the enemy had given us the slip about six leagues; some of our ships are in pursuit; others are, come into this Harbour, with wounded men.  
The five hundred men sent from this Town to Sir George, deported themselves with singular dexterity and courage, and were in the thickest of the Conflict; many of them are slain, and about 60 wounded.  
This hath been the bloodiest Conflict that ever happened between the two Republics; and consequently, 'tis but a beginning of the Chaos of confusion; for it is now too late to dispute the Groundwork, the Arguments of blood being drawn at large in undeniable Maxims: Yet I doubt not, but the Lord will perfect that Work which he hath thus triumphantly carried on, even for those who desire to praise and magnify his glorious Name. As for the particulars of the fight, I cannot represent no otherwise, at present, but that we have taken seventeen, sunk five, fired two, and dispersed the rest; but not without great loss, as is before specified; which is all at present, from  
Your devoted servant, J. HOLDING. Plymouth 18 August, 1652.  
FINIS.