Raid on the Medway (Anglo-Dutch Wars) war movies

Raid on the Medway 9 June 1667

During Second Anglo-Dutch War, at the point in which both sides were struggling to carry on fighting and peace negotiations in Breda had already started, Dutch put into motion a plan to raid English ports on Medway River.

Admiral de Ruyter and Admiral van Ghent approached the coast near Thames and while van Ghent was securing the rear de Ruyter approached the English town of Sheerness, forts near Gillingham and Upnor Castle before attacking the English ships in Chatham Dockyard, where they were undergoing repairs and were mostly unmanned.

With minimal losses Dutch managed to destroy 13 English capital warships and line ships, HMS Unity and the pride of Royal Navy, HMS Royal Charles, were captured and taken back to Holland. This defeat forced Charles II to finally sign the peace treaty of Breda.

Michiel de Ruyter 2015

The portrait of Dutch admiral Michiel de Ruyter, who challenged the English navy in 17th century and saved his country independence during a difficult time for Netherlands.