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The Battle of Sole Bay was a naval encounter that occurred on the 28th of May 1672 during the third Dutch War. The Battle of Sole Bay was fought between a combined English and French feet of some 100 vessels under the command of the duke of York and the count d'Estrees and a Dutch fleet of some 70 vessels commanded by De Ruyter.
The English and French fleet had proceeded from Portsmouth to the North Sea and put into Southwold on Sole Bay to water and refit. While there the Dutch fleet attacked from the north-east and, taking advantage of the sailing dispositions which separated the English and French fleets, concentrated on the English squadron which formed the centre of the allied line. Upon this the French bore away to the south of the brunt of the battle falling on the blue squadron under the earl of Sandwich, whose flagship was blown up. The battle continued until the remainder of the English fleet came up, the Dutch withdrawing at nightfall.
 Research Battle of Sole Bay
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Abbreviations
Warfare
