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Dutch Wars
There were other reforms during December 1652. The care of the wounded was greatly improved, and seamen were given a substantial pay rise to boost recruitment. As a result it was reported from Dover, ‘… since the Parliament resolves for paying and encouragement of seamen, a great number are come in for the service of this Commonwealth’.29 In December two soldiers, George Monck and Richard Deane, joined Blake and shared the command with him. But still there was no success at sea: a battle off Portland in February proved indecisive because the Dutch exploited the separation of the English squadrons. The soldiers were horrified with the disorder in which ships fought. Deane was an artilleryman who could see the value of ships as gun platforms; Monck had fought in many land battles and saw the advantages of forming his forces in line; while Blake provided the seafaring experience. Between them they drew up new Fighting Instructions for the fleet by the end of March 1653. A key clause demanded that ‘all the ships of every squadron shall endeavour to keep in line with their chief’. The fleet was to fight in a single line ahead, the ‘line of battle’. The new tactics were tested off the Gabbard sandbank in the mouth of the Thames at the beginning of June. ... the English found the Dutch fleet in at the height of Dunkirk, and when they approached them, they stayed upon a tack, having the wind, within twice cannon shot about half an hour, to put themselves in their order they intended to fight in, which was in file at half cannon shot, from whence they battered the Hollanders furiously all that day, the success whereof was the sinking of two Holland ships. Towards night Tromp got the wind, but soon lost it, and never recovered it the
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