PREFACE.

lxxxix

In all the sea fights against the Dutch in 1652 and 1653, no other methodwas observed, (than keepeing to their flaggs as much as they could.) Thefirst fight off Dover, at Portland, in June 53, and August, (when Trompwas killed) were all out of order, courage and conduct swaid each captaineto doe his best.

British gunns being for the most part shorter, are made to carry a biggershot than a French gunn of like weight, therefore the French gunns reachfurther, and those of Britain make a bi scsrer hole.

By this, the French have the advantage to fight at a distance, and weyard arm to yard arm.

The like advantage wee have of them in shipping, (although they arebroader, and carry a better saile) our sides are thicker, and the betterable to resist their shott. By this they are more subject to bee sunk bygunn shott than wee are.

The benefitt ariseing by these advantages, arc lost to us by gentlemencomanding their Majesties shipps of warr.

That gentlemen captaines have been in a great part, if not the solecause of the destruction of our seamen, I further prove, viz.

A gentleman is put into the comand of (suppose a) 4th rate shipp, com-plement 200 men: he shall bring neere 20 landmen into the shipp, as hisfootmen, taylor, barber, fidlers, decayed kindred, voluntier gentleman, oracquaintance, as companions, &c. These shall have the accomodation ofa master’s mate, midshipman, quartermaster, master trumpeter, coxswaine,See. and too ott their pay, while others do the duty for that, of an ableseaman, or such as deserve it not. Next hee covetts to have all the restof his complement able seamen, to the denying an officer the privilidg ofa servant, which custom has given him with a seaman captaine. If hepresses masters, master boatswaines, gunners, or carpenters of bigg mer-chant shipps, they shall fare noe better in their accomodation and wagesthan others before the mast, and be sure- he will allways have more thanhis complement.

Vol. I.

nu

Now