Battle of Plymouth  16 August 1652.
(source: british-civil-wars. Commonwealth and Protectorate. By David Plant, 2001 - 6.)

This battle is of some importance in the naval carreer of de Ruyter. It was the first time that he commanded an entire fleet. Heretofore he had only commanded a squadron (either the van or the rear) under M.A. Tromp. His opponent in this battle was the General-at-Sea Sir George Ayscue, the two men had befriended each other earlier, and stayed friends throughout the years as circumstances permitted. A narrative in Dutch and from Dutch sources can be found under 
Slag bij Plymouth. 

Sir George Ayscue. (National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.)

(All dates are in the Julian Calender)
On 13 August 1652, the Dutch admiral Michiel de Ruyter set sail from Calais with 32 men-of-war to escort a merchant fleet of 60 ships through the Channel to the Mediterranean. General-at-Sea George Ayscue was patrolling with 38 men-of-war and armed merchantmen in search of prizes. He sighted the Dutch convoy off Plymouth on 15 August. De Ruyter altered course to fend off Ayscue's attack. 
Although the English ships were in the majority, and were better armed, many of them failed to keep their station in the line of attack, and Ayscue lost the advantage, The battle continued all afternoon. As evening fell Ayscue broke off the engagement and sailed back to Plymouth. He was pursued by de Ruyter, who intended to attack the English ships in their anchorage until a change of wind forced him to withdraw. No ships were lost, but both sides suffered heavy casualties among their crews. 

The Dutch merchant convoy succeeded in escaping through the Channel.

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