[c] The channel leading south from Hollesley Bay.
Declaration of Captain Richard Haddock.
Aᵒ 1657, Novembʳ.
Dragon frigᵗ, Novembʳ, 1657.
18. The 18th November I recᵈ orders from Sʳ Richard Stainer[a] to sayle out yᵉ Downes, and in company wᵗʰ the Colchester frigᵗᵗ to plye of of Ostend.
26. The 26 day, Thursday, we sailed out yᵉ Downes, yᵉ wind at west. We went out at yᵉ North Sand Head, twixt yᵉ Brake and Goodwin. This noone we spake wᵗʰ the Pembrooke frigᵗᵗ, come from Harwich cleane tallowed; N.E. from yᵉ north Forland, in 15 fadoms watter, we clapt by under a maine course, intending to drive all night; but, upon sight of 6 sayle of Holland men of warr, 3 wᵗʰ there flaggs abroad, to say Admˡˡ Vice and Rear Admirall, we stood with them. Yᵉ Pembrooke haveing espied them before us, though bound into yᵉ Downes, bore away on the back of the Goodwin towards them; comeing up with them, first fired at yᵉ Admˡˢ flagg, but was not struck. Upon wᶜʰ yᵉ Comandʳ of the Pembrooke sent his boats on bord to know yᵉ reason of itt. Whilst they were in dispute, we, comeing in shote, fired at yᵉ Admˡˡˢ flagg alsoe, and presantly after they sent up a man to topmasthead and struck the flagg, wᶜʰ his Vice and Reare Admˡˡ did the like. Then we bore under his lee ahead of him, and hayld him and stood asterne, and, after, tackt and came and lay on his weather quarters. There flaggs hang as a waft for about ½ an hower, and afterwards furld them; the Admˡˡ fired a gun to lewards, filld, and stood away to yᵉ eᵗwards. We answerd him with another; lay by and drove all night. These men of warr came there from yᵉ coast of Portugall, yᵉ Lᵈ Updam Admˡˡ, as I was informed by Sʳ Richard Stayner at my returne into yᵉ Downes. This I can testifie upon oath, if calld thereunto.
Given under my hand this primo January, 1671/2.
Richard Haddock.