The Battle of Solebay, 7 June 1672, shortly after two o'clock in the afternoon, seen from the northwest: left part

The Battle of Solebay, 7 June 1672, shortly after two o'clock in the afternoon, seen from the northwest: left-hand part. This drawing consisting of two parts shows a moment from the Battle of Solebay in 1672. In this opening engagement of the Third English Naval War, the States fleet under the command of Admiral De Ruyter fought against the combined English-French fleet off the coast of Suffolk, at the height of Solebay. As in previous sea battles, Willem van de Velde sailed on board his galley on the Dutch side. The Battle of Solebay is in full swing. The left-hand sheet shows among others the Dolfijn, the ship of lieutenant-admiral Willem Joseph Baron Van Ghent who would lose his life in this battle. The burning ship Royal James stands partly on the left-hand and partly on the right-hand part. This frigate of admiral Edward Mountagu, Earl of Sandwich, was hit around two o'clock in the afternoon by a Dutch fire ship.