Hendrik van Minderhout (1632-1696) - The Battle of Lowestoft, 3 June 1665, Showing HMS 'Royal Charles' and the 'Eendracht' - BHC0283 - Royal Museums Greenwich

The Battle of Lowestoft, 3 June 1665, Showing HMS 'Royal Charles' and the 'Eendracht'
The battle of Lowestoft was the first fleet action of the Second Dutch War, 1665–67, and resulted in a Dutch defeat with a loss of about 30 ships. In this initial fleet engagement both sides had over a 100 sail. The action began at 3.30 and continued until 1900 by which time the Dutch were in flight with 17 ships sunk or captured. Following action with the ‘Royal Charles’, with HRH the Duke of York on board, the principal Dutch flagship the ‘Eendracht’ blew up, killing her admiral Lieutenant -Admiral Jan van Wassenaer Heer van Obdam. Of a crew of over 400 only five survived. This painting was probably painted shortly after the battle and shows the action between the 'Royal Charles' and the 'Eendracht' from the Dutch perspective. The left foreground is dominated by the duelling flagships of the two commanders-in-chief. On the left is the ‘Royal Charles’, with the Duke of York on board, and the Royal crest is shown carved on her stern. A small boat is connected to the ship by a rope held by two men and other men can be seen working in the rigging. In very close action to the right is the ‘Eendracht’ with the carved lion visible on her stern, and flying the Dutch flag and ensign, just before she blew up. The painting inaccurately gives the English flagship ‘Royal Charles’ a Dutch stern, with a square tuck and gallery.

The Battle of Lowestoft, 3 June 1665, Showing HMS 'Royal Charles' and the 'Eendracht'