Summary of a sea battle of England against the Dutch, 31-JUL-1653, Report by Capt Joseph Cubitt: "The wind blowing WNW the next day (30-JUL), we lay one by the other, they being nearer the shore than we, and not far from Gravesend.... The 31st, we tacked upon them in passing through, we lamed several and sunk some... some of their ships that had lost all their masts were fired by others after the fight was over. "....we cut off some of his fleet... and some were sunk, and we had the OAK fired by one of their branders.... a Flushinger was sunk close by the VICTORY." "...this fight was not far from the Maese, and about 4 o'clock we saw Gravesend Steeple. At 6 o'clock one of their Vice-Admirals, being ready to sink, bore to Capt Pearse and yielded, and the men were no sooner out than she sank, with some of our men in her. They had 112 sail when they begun and we from 100 to 110... I cannot tell how many they have lost; I heard there were 14 sail sunk and burned....we recovered the GARLAND and fired her, but lost the OAK, a fireship, and another." The Maese could be the Mouse Sand, between Kent and Essex. Date of Loss: A (1)

<1> Calendar of State Papers Domestic, 1653-54 XXXIX 11 02-AUG-1653, Page Nos. 69-70 (Bibliographic reference). SKE6354.