Kentish Knock, 28 September 1652 (Slag bij de Hoofden)
(source: british-civil-wars. Commonwealth and Protectorate. By David Plant, 2001 - 6.)

After Lieutenant-Admiral Tromp's resignation, he was replaced as commander by Vice-Admiral Witte Corneliszoon de With. The appointment was unpopular with the Dutch fleet because of de With's republicanism and his reputation for severity. Officers and crew of Tromp's old flagship the “Brederode” refused to allow de With to move his flag to it and he was forced to use the East Indiaman “Prins Willem”. On 22 September, de With joined forces with de Ruyter at Ostend when he returned from escort duty. The combined Dutch fleet of about 62 ships set sail to seek out the English fleet.

On the afternoon of 28 September, the Dutch were near the Kentish Knock, a sandbank in the Thames Estuary when they sighted Blake's (English) fleet of 68 men-of-war approaching from the south. Blake, (Dutch) flying his flag in the “Resolution”, had the advantage of the wind and led the attack on the Dutch line. As Blake broke through, de With tacked to the south trying to gain the wind, only to be attacked by Vice-Admiral Penn’s squadron. The battle became a confused mêlée, with ships engaging in individual combat, rather than a concerted fleet action. The action began at about 5 p.m. and lasted for three hours until darkness brought it to an end. One Dutch ship was sunk and another captured but many were badly damaged because of the superior firepower of the English fleet. Some 20 Dutch ships held back from joining in the action because of discontent among their crews. The following day, de With was unable to persuade his captains to re-engage. Blake chased the retreating Dutch fleet for two days until they found refuge at Goeree.

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