Battle of Solebay

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Battle of Solebay
Part of the Franco-Dutch War and Third Anglo-Dutch War
The Burning of the Royal James at the Battle of Solebay, 28 May 1672 by Willem van de Velde the Younger
Date 6 June 1672 Location Solebay, England Result Dutch victory[1][2][3] Anglo-French invasion of the Dutch Republic prevented
Belligerents
Dutch Republic	England  France
Commanders and leaders
Michiel de Ruyter Adriaen Banckert Willem Joseph van Ghent †	James, Duke of York Edward Montagu † Jean II d'Estrées
Strength
61 ships of the line 14 frigates 32 fire ships 22 smaller ships 4,500 guns 20,700 men[4][5]	80 ships of the line 13 frigates 24 fire ships 28 smaller ships 6,158 guns 35,000-40,000 men[6][5]
Casualties and losses
1 ship destroyed 1 ship captured ≈1,600 sailors killed	4 ships destroyed ≈2,500 sailors killed

The naval Battle of Solebay took place on 28 May Old Style, 7 June New Style^[7][8] 1672 and was the first naval battle of the Third Anglo-Dutch War.

The battle began as an attempted raid on Solebay port where an English fleet was anchored and largely unprepared for battle. They were then surprised by a Dutch fleet. The battle prevented a planned allied naval invasion of the Dutch Republic and boosted the morale of the Dutch population.