THIS WEEKS GREAT DAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18889, 12 October 1929, Page 23 (Supplement)

THIS WEEKS GREAT DAY.

l |MEMORABLE EVENTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE EMPIREI l

-———-————By l_______

Charles Conway.

u_._—————— - ~ _____________ OCTOBER 11: THE BATTLE OF GAMPERDOWN. ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-TVVO YEARS AGO, on October 11. 1797. the defeat of the Dutch fleet at the Battle of Camperdown had a far-reaching effect, for had the result been different the Northern Powers of Europe would have undoubtedly joined France in her scheme for the invasion of Britain, For many years the British and the Dutch nations had been on friendly terms with each other, but in 1795 the Netherlands had been subjugated by the French, who then determined to make use of the formidable Dutch fleet in their war against Great Britain. They were. however, prevented from doing this for nearly two years, as the Dutch fleet. which was an chored at T exel, on the coast of Holland, was unable to put out to sea, owing to the strict blockade maintained by a British squadron under the command of Admiral Duncan . In the month of May, 1797, most of the ships of the British squadron were compelled to return to England to assist in quelling the mutinies of the seamen at the Nore and Spithead. and for several weeks Duncan was left with only two men-of—war at Texel. He made a constant pretence of signalling to other ships out at sea, so that the Dutch were led to believe that a strong supporting fleet was within call. and it was by means of this ruse that the blockade was successfully continued until the arrival of reinforcements. , At the commencement of October Duncan was forced to take his squadron into Yarmouth Roads for refitting and victualling. and the French Government immediately ordered the Dutch fleet to proceed 0m to sea. which it accordingly did. much to the reluctance of its admiral De \Vinter, When the news of the enemy's departure reached Duncan. he at once sailed in pursuit, haying under his command a fleet of sixteen men~of‘war. eight irigates. and a number of smaller vessels, which was a force slightly superior in strength to that under the command of De \Vinter who had fifteen meirof-war, twelve frigates and several brigs. The enemy was sighted during the morning of October 11. about nine miles from the coast of Holland, and in the vicinity of the village oi Camperdown, from which the ensuing battle derived its name. Duncan wasted no Lime in manoeuvring. or forming his fleet into any regular form of battle. but at once proceeded to break through the Dutch line, and the engagement, which commenced half an hour after noon. lasted for nearly three hours. ’ The Dutch admiral and his sailors fought with the utmost valour. but they were outclassed by the superior skill of Duncan and his seamen, and the battle terminated with the surrender of twelve of the Dutchman’s men-of-war and two frigates. all of which were so badly damaged that they were quite unfit for further service. while one of them founderecl asit was being taken to England. De Winter was taken prisoner, and .the losses on both sides were very heavy. the British having over 700 men killed, or wounded. while the casualties on the Dutch side were considerably higher. The battle was one of the severest. and certainly the most decisive. cvor fought between the Britsh and Dutch navies, and Duncan was rewarded with a peerage and a pension for his successful blockade and brilliant victory. [Copyrighted] lllllllllfllllllIllIllllIllll|lllllllllllllllmllmlIII]IIlmlllllll|IllllllllllIll|illlillllllllllllllm[Inullll||llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllflll|I"IllIIlllllll|llllllllllilllllllllllll