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Where: 55.070 1.003 Dogger Bank

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• Allen, Joseph, Battles of the British Navy, Vol. I (1190-1799), London: Henry G. Bohn, 1852. Click on icon in u.r.h. corner to download pdf. P.317.

  We have next to record a very sanguinary battle familiarly known as the Dogger Bank action. The British squadron, under Vice-Admiral Hyde Parker, being off the Dogger Bank, on its return to England with the Baltic convoy, consisted of the following :—
  [ships listed]
  On the 5th of August [1781], at daybreak, a Dutch squadron, commanded by Rear-Admiral Zontraan, was discovered steering nearly the same course as the British, and also escorting a fleet of merchant ships. The Dutch squadron consisted of the following :—
  [ships listed]
  At 4h. A.M., Vice-Admiral Parker, placing the convoy in charge of Captain Sutton in the Tartar, ordered him to make the best of his way to England. At 6h. A.M., the British squadron was ordered to form a line of battle, at two cables' length distance, and make all sail in chase. The Dutch admiral, however, showed no desire to avoid an action, and, having stationed his frigates and convoy to leeward of the squadron, hauled to the wind on the larboard tack under easy sail. The morning was fine and clear, with a light breeze of wind from north-east, and the British, led by the Berwick, were soon bearing down in good order to the attack. At 8h. A.m., the British having arrived within pistol-shot to windward without the enemy's having fired a shot, an action commenced, which, for steadiness on both aides, has been in few instances surpassed ; but, owing to some little confusion among the British ships in taking up their stations, occasioned in some measure from the damages sustained by the fall of spars at the commencement, the ships were not equally matched. After an incessant cannonading of three hours and forty minutes, Vice-Admiral Parker hauled down the signal for battle, and the British ships hove to, and commenced repairing damages. The Fortitude lost in the action twentykilled, and Lieuts. Joseph Harrington (mortally), John Waghorn, and Martin Hinckley, the boatswain, the pilot, and sixty-seven men wounded. Princess Amelia had her captain, the gunner, and nineteen men killed, and Lieuts. Richard Hill, Isaac Smith, and Richard Leggatt, and fifty-six men wounded. Berwick, two midshipmen, and the pilot, and eighteen men killed, and Lieuts. William Skipsey, George Maxwell, Captain James Campbell, and Lieut. Hugh Stewart (of the marines), six midshipmen, and fifty-eight men wounded. Bientaisant, six men killed, and the gunner and twenty-one men wounded. Buffalo, twenty men killed, and Lieut. Randall (mortally), the boatswain, and sixty-four men wounded. Preston, ten men killed, and Captain Grteme (lost right arm), Lieut. David Hotchkis, and forty men wounded. Dolphin, Lieut. Dalby, and eleven men killed, and the boatswain and thirty-three men wounded. Total, 109 killed and 362 (many mortally) wounded. The Fortitude received ten shot between wind and water, masts, &c., badly wounded, most of the standing and running rigging shot away, and seven guns rendered unserviceable. Princess Amelia, lower masts and bowsprit rendered unserviceable, and hull much damaged. Berwick, fourteen shot between wind and water, mizen-topmast shot away, several ports beat into one, ten guns dismounted, and part of the poop shot away. Bienfaisant, hull and masts much damaged, and main-topmast shot away. Buffalo, thirty-nine shot passed through the hull, stern gallery beat to pieces, and masts, &c., much damaged. Preston, five shot between wind and water, thirty-two 42 lb. shot sticking in her sides, and fourteen passed, clean through her. Dolphin, all her masts, Arc., much damaged. The Dutch loss was even more severe, and the Hollandia sank the same night. Her flag, which was kept flying, was taken away by the Belle Poule, and carried to Admiral Parker. The total loss in the Dutch squadron, exclusive of the crew of the Hollandia, is reported to have been 142 killed and 403 wounded. After Vice-Admiral Parker discontinued the action, the Dutch admiral put before the wind with his shattered ships, and reached Holland. It is to be regretted that the British should have had nothing else to show by way of trophy than the Hollandia's flag, which had been nobly kept flying by her gallant defenders. The Dutch claimed a victory, and published an exaggerated version of the affair ; and the States-General liberally rewarded the surviving captains and officers.'

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