Battle of Dogger Bank (1781)
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| European waters, 1778–1782 |
|---|
| First Ushant – Cape St. Vincent – Dogger Bank – Second Ushant – Cape Spartel |
The naval Battle of the Dogger Bank took place on 5 August 1781 during the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War, part of the American War of Independence, in the North Sea. It was a bloody encounter between a British squadron under Vice Admiral Sir Hyde Parker and a Dutch squadron under Vice Admiral Zoutman, both of which were escorting convoys.
The Netherlands having now joined the allies, the British government was compelled to withdraw part of its fleet from other purposes to protect the North Sea trade. A desperate battle was fought in which neither combatant gained any advantage, after which both sides drew off.
The Dutch returned home with their convoy. Although the Dutch celebrated the battle like a victory, their fleet did not leave harbour again during the war and their merchant trade was swept from the seas by British cruisers.
Parker considered that he had not been properly equipped for his task, and insisted on resigning his command. The battle had no real impact on the general course of the war.
The rival fleets:
Britain (Hyde Parker)
Berwick 74Dolphin 44
Buffalo 60
Fortitude 74 (flag)
Princess Amelia 80
Preston 50
Bienfaisant 64
Netherlands (Zoutman)
Erfprins 54 (Braak)Admiraal Generaal 74 (van Kinsbergen)
Argo 40 (Staring)
Batavier 50 (Bentinck)
Admiraal de Ruijter 68 (flag, Zoutman)
Admiraal Piet Hein 56 (van Braam)
Holland 68 (Dedel)
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