A TRUE RELATION OF THE LAST Great Fight at Sea, July 29. and 31. between the ENGLISH and the DUTCH, As it was presented to the Council of State in two Letters sent them from GENERAL MONK: AS ALSO An Estimate of the Enemy's Ships taken, fired, and sunk, with the Number of Prisoners; together with what loss we sustained on our side. SATURDAY AUGUST 6. At the Council of State at White-Hall, Ordered, That these Letters and Estimate be forthwith Printed and Published. John Thurloe Secretary London, Printed for Giles Calvert, Henry Hills, and Thomas Brewster, Printers to the Council of State, MDCLIII. For the Right Honourable the Council of State at White-Hall. RIGHT HONOURABLE, AS I was dispatching the other Letter coming herewith, the same morning our Scout a-head discovered a Fleet, which in a short time appeared to be the Dutch Fleet come from the Wellings, consisting of 97 sail, or thereabouts, whereof 90 men of War; we made what sail after them we could, which the enemy discerning, stood away from us, so that it was five a clock in the evening before any of our Frigates could engage them, and near seven a clock before this Ship came up with them, the greatest part of our Fleet being a stern, so that not above thirty of our ships and frigates came to engage; yet we continued fight until 9 at night, at which time being dark, we were forced to forbear. The enemy this night got the weather gage of us, by standing to the Northward, when we supposed they had stood to the Southward, as we did; and yesterday being much wind, and dirty weather, nothing was done, both Fleets finding it hard work to get off from a Lee shore, which was the worst to us, being in an enemy's Country; but this morning, being fair weather, and little wind, both Fleets prepared for a second Engagement. To this time the Lord seemed to encourage the enemy, by laying the scales in the balance, so that neither could tell which had the better, but good was the Lord unto us, who knew when to appear for his own people, though unworthy of so great a mercy; for this day after their great ships from the Texel were joined with them, being twenty five in number, the Engagement began very hot from seven in the morning, and continued till one in the afternoon, the enemy having the weather-gage of us all the while; yet may we truly say, great was the Lord, and marvellous worthy to be praised, by his appearance on our behalf; for by this time the Lord so daunted their spirits, they now began to stand away from us, with all the sails they could, there being sunk, fired and taken of them, about thirty or forty sail, so far as we can discern, and are now in pursuit of them, some of our Frigates being near up with some of the sternmost, & am in good hopes that the same mighty presence of the Lord will still follow us, to the disabling, taking or destroying of some more yet. There were nine flag ships amongst them, when we first engaged this morning, and they have but one left now so far as we can see. At present I am not in a capacity of giving your Lordships a more particular account, our hands and hearts being wholly taken up with the end of the work, and if the Lord will, you may expect (about two days hence) to have a further account thereof. Two of our ships were fired, (as supposed, by the enemy) some others disabled by the loss of their masts, of which I have given the Commissioners a further account, for a present and speedy supply, which I shall not trouble you with; but subscribe myself, Resolution off of Camperdown, the 31 July 1653. Your Lordship's most humble Servant, GEORGE MONCK. For the Right Honourable the Council of State. Right Honourable, SINCE mine to you yesterday (wherein I gave you an Account of the goodness of God towards us, and appearance for us in the Engagement with our enemies the day before, and that we were then in pursuit of them) there hath little more been done, night drawing on, and the Dutch making directly for the texel with what sail they could, so that it was not thought fit to be so bold with the shore as they might, not knowing how the wind might take us, many of our Ships being much disabled; but gave order to a small vessel or two to keep sight of them till the morning, and observe what course they steered, who returning gave an account that the enemy steered the same night into the Texel harbour, and had boats with lights to show them the way in, whereupon yesterday at a Council of War it was resolved, that the whole Fleet should forthwith set sail for Southold Bay there to dispose of such Ships as are disabled, also to send away our wounded men and prisoners, of which a certain account cannot be given at present, but hope to do it very suddenly being now upon it; but I do present your Lordships here enclosed with a general Account, referring the condition of the Wives and Families of those who are slain, to your Lordship's tender care, wherein I doubt not but you will have respect to their necessities. I remain, Resolution Aug. 2. 1653. 18. Leagues to the Westward of the texel. Your Lordship's most humble Servant, GEORGE MONCK. An Estimate of Prisoners taken, also how many Ships of the Enemies sunk and fired, and how many men of our own wounded and killed in the Engagement with the Dutch, july 29, & 31. 1653. Prisoners taken 1000 Ships of the Enemies sunk and fired, of which some were taken and afterwards fired, 30 or thereabouts. Men of our own slain 250 Wounded 700 The Oak and one fireship of our own . FINIS.