SIR ROBERT HOLMES.
1622 – Nov. 18th 1692.

Admiral of the Restoration Navy. He took part in the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch War both of which he is, by some, credited with having started with his blatant provocations.

Holmes is chiefly remembered for his exploits on the coast of Guinea for the Royal African Company, in 1664, and in particular for what is called “Holmes’ Bonfire” of 1666 which even in those days, was considered a warcrime.  

The first African Expedition.
Prince Rupert ’s reports, that in Gambia there was a “ Mountain of Gold ” waiting to be carried off, prompted the Duke of York to mount an expedition to the region, that was at the time mostly in Dutch hands. Holmes was appointed in charge of this venture.

The results of the expidition showed that Holmes was indeed a loose cannon, and at times more of a liability than an asset. He touched at the fort of Goeree and bluntly told the Dutch governor, that henceforth the trade between Cape Verde and the Cape of Hope was restricted to English shipping. This was later disavowed by the King and by Sir George Downing, after retaliatory action by the Dutch against English shipping.

In addition to reconnoitering the coast Holmes constructed a fort, and captured another from the Dutch..

Samual Pepys, of all people, complained about Holmes’ magnificent lifestyle (diary 22 Dec. ’61.) and wondered whether the large ape Holmes had brought back might be the offspring of the man and a she-baboon, and susceptible to instruction. (Diary 24^th Aug. ’61 .)  

However, the expedition had shown that he was able to deal with company matters and the Dutch alike, so he was appointed in command of the newly-launched “Reserve” Aboard that ship he tested a pair of pendulum watches conceived by the Dutchman, Christiaan Huygens.

The second African Expedition.
The objectives of the framous 1664 expedition are somewhat unclear.

Although Holmes was later charged with exceeding his orders by capturing Dutch forts and ships there, it was obvious that a “game” was played to start the second Anglo-Dutch War. Holmes’orders were: “To promote the interests of the Royal Company, and to kill, take, sink or destroy such as shall oppose you”

Especially the “Gouden Leeuw”(Golden Lion) a West India vessl from Flushing , had caused the British a lot of trouble.  

The charge that he had exceeded his orders was caused by the unexpected success of his actions, that far exceeded the wildest expectations. In sight of the Dutch base of Goeree he took the West Indiaman “Briele” and created much discontent among the ennemies of the Dutch, such as the Portuguese and other bearing a grudge against the WIC. He sank 2 ships and captured 2 other, under the guns of Goeree, and later even took the fort itself. Later he took the “Gouden Leeuw” by now renamed the “Walcheren” that was later taken into the Royal navy as a fourth rate, He captured Anta Castle and several other smaller strongholds along the coast, but his crowning achievement, however, came when he managed to take the principal Dutch base along that coast, fort Elmina.  

Fort Elmina

In 1664 de Ruyter was clandestinally sent to undo what Holmes had done, and managed to recapture every fort but one, which meant that the British were maintain a presence along that coast, even after 1664. His return to London was desultary as he tried to make out the repercussions his actions had evoked in London . He was committed to the Tower, where he was interrogated by 2 Secretaries of State. The situation was resolved by the Dutch declaration that they would retaliate against British shipping as a consequence of the goings-on in Africa . The British conveniently interpreted that as a declaration of war, and released Holmes.  

The Second Anglo-Dutch War.
Barely a month after his release and full pardon, he assumed command of the “Revenge” fought in de Battle of Lowestoft when he claimed flag rank when the rear-admiral was killed. Rupert endorsed this, but James reversed the appointment and Holmes lost his temper and resigned his commission . But again, reconciliation was not far away. He got knighted and was given the command of a brand new ship and acting flag-rank. He was supposed to have done wonders during the four-days battle, but his rivals Spragge and Smith were promoted above him.

These professional rivalries were a hallmark of the restoration navy. Holmes used the conduct of the St James’ Day Fight to start a bitter quarrel with Smith, who had managed to lure Tromp away, thus effectively winning the battle for the British.  

Holmes’ Bonfire.

On August 9 of 1666 Holmes achieved his best known feat, characteristically (and according to Pepys, exasperatingly) using his own judgmnent in interpreting his orders. He was to land 500 men on the isle of Vlieland, and 400 on Terschelling and loot and destroy as much as possible, instead he executed a fireship attack on the mass of East Indiamen lying in Vlie Road . Destroying 150 ships and sacked the town of West-Terschelling , killing mainly non-combatant women and children (the men were on the ships he had just burned) This was the heaviest blow the English ever dealt Dutch merchant shipping. Severely endangering the Dutch war-effort. 

It was in itself an acceptable act of war, The burning and killing spree that followed however, was not. It was considered an wanton act of unnecessary cruelty, even by the British, and it prompted the Dutch answer a year later with The Medway Raid, where, it must be said, not a single English civilian was hurt or robbed by the Dutch.  

The Third Anglo-Dutch War.
Among the preparation for provoking the Dutch into yet another war, was the appoinhtment of Holmes as commander of a powerful squadron in Portsmouth . He immediately pressed for the capture of a large nujmber of Dutch ships, but the government hesitated till the opportunity was gone. Finally he obtained permission to attack the rich Dutch homeward-bound Smyrna convoy. For two days the squadron fought the a veritable battle with the armed merchantmen and their escorts, suffering damage far beyond proportions to their gains, The made a total of 6y minor prizes. Among them was only one, moderately rich, Smyrna vessel. Just befor the engagement a squadron under Spragge passed the scene but did not join in the fight, nor was he invited by Holmes to do so. This gave rise to many recriminations. When some days later de war was formerly declared, the flags were handed out and Holmes did not receive one.  

In the Battle of Solebay, the fiercest de Ruyter ever fought, Holmes distinguished himself, but lost the few friends among the flag-officers he still had. After the battle the vacancies as a result of the death of some flag-officers, were fulfilled, and again Holmes was passed over. His naval career had ended abrubtly. He was never to be employed again.