HIS HIGHNESS' Prince Rupert's LETTER TO THE EARL OF ARLINGTON His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State. From on Board the ROYAL CHARLES off the Osterbank, the XXIXth of May, 1673.  
Distant from East Capel Seven Leagues, at One of the Clock Afternoon, the Wind S. S. W.  
Published by Authority.  
In the SAVOY: Printed by Tho. Newcomb. 1673.  
Edinburgh, Reprinted by Andrew Anderson, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty. 1673.   

His Highness' Prince Rupert's Letter to the Earl of Arlington, His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State, from on ' Board the Royal Charles off of the Osterbank, the 29. of May, 1673. distant from East Capel Seven Leagues, at one Afternoon, the Wind S. S. W.  
I Give you herein an account of our Action yesterday, being the 28. such as at present can be made, having not had time to learn the Particulars of the Enemy's losses. The foul weather before having given us opportunity and leisure to sound all the Sands; on the 27. It was resolved at a Council of War, held here on board with the Flag-Officers, to attack the Enemy riding at Anchor in a Line between the Rand and the Stony-bank. Accordingly a Squadron was then ordered out of the several Divisions of the Fleet (whereof the Eldest Captain was to command each Party) consisting in all of 35. Frigates, and 13. Fireships, besides small Craft to sound before them. Yesterday morning about 8. of the clock, they drew out of their Squadrons, and sailed towards the Enemy, the Wind at S. S. W. and by 12. a Clock at Noon engaged the Van of them, commanded by Trump: We were forced to engage sooner than I intended, to prevent the Enemies getting the Wind. That Squadron so commanded by Trump was so pressed by us, that it gave way, and retired as far as the Sands would give them leave. The Squadron commanded by De Ruyter fell to the share of Count D' Estrées, and the French, who behaved themselves very bravely. Sir Edward Spragge also on his side maintained the fight with so much courage and resolution, that their whole body gave way to such degree, that had it not been for fear of the Shoals, we had driven them into their harbours, and the King would have had a better account of them. The case being thus, and the night approaching, I judged it fit to stand a little off, and to anchor here where I now ride.  
The enemy have had a considerable loss (which they will not easily repair) having many men slain, many ships disabled, and some destroyed; De Ruyter and Trump had run a great hazard of being burnt by some of our Fireships, if they had behaved themselves as they ought to have done. Our losses are very inconsiderable, two of our Ships only being disabled, viz. the Cambridge and the Resolution, which I shall send home to refit, the rest of our work will be easily done here. We have lost very few Common Men; as yet I have an account but of these Officers slain; Captain Fowls, Captain Woerden, and Captain Finch) Colonel Hamiltoun hath his Leg shut off. All the Officers and Common Men, generally behaved themselves very well, of which I shall send the particulars, when I am better informed; In my Squadron more especially Captain Leg, Sir John Holmes, Captain Wettwang, Captain Story, Sir Roger Strickland, and Sir William Reeves. The first took a Ship of the Enemies, and the latter brought up a Fireship, and laid himself to the Leeward of Trump, and if the Captain of the Fireship had done his duty, Trump had certainly burnt; Notwithstanding which, Story and Wittwang so belabored him, that Reeves cleared himself from the crowd of the Enemy. I hope His Majesty will be satisfied, that considering the Place we engaged in, and the Sands, there was as much done as could be expected. And thus I leave it to His Majesty's  Construction, to whom I wish many happy Years to come, this being His Birthday.  
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