Wreck of Post-medieval English fireship, off Lower Hope, Tilbury (EHER 82418)

1667 wreck of English fireship which was expended and burnt off Lower Hope during the attack on the Hope, also known as the attack on Tilbury, in the penultimate action of the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-1667) on 23 July 1667. This action was notable for being entirely fought with fireships on both sides, led on the English side by Sir Edward Spragge and on the Dutch by Aert Jansz. van Nes. This ship was the fourth ship expended by the English in this action, directed by Spragge himself: 'Then Sir Edward Spragg with his Ship stoutly bore up towards the whole Fleet of the Enemy, and sent out a Fireship, who had wrought herself very near one of their greatest men of War, being lustily seconded by Sir Edward Spragg in his Flag Ship . . . ' The other English ships were expended earlier in the action, and have, for convenience, been identified as the known losses the ALBEMARLE (1033768); CAMEL (1033769) and STAR (1033770). There were also 11 Dutch fireships expended.

Information from NRHE 1667 wreck of English fireship which was expended and burnt off Lower Hope during the attack on the Hope, also known as the attack on Tilbury. 'Whitehall, July 24: On Saturday and Sunday last several ships came in to the Dutch fleet riding before Harwich, supposed to be Victuallers. The 22. they all weighed from the Sledway, and stood into the Gunfleet, sailing for the Buoy in the Nore; and between 3 and 4 that afternoon were discovered plying with all the sail they were able for the Thames. Only 17 of them (of the lesser sort) were observed standing from the Fleet towards the Downs, who were afterwards followed by three larger ships. The 23, between 6 and 7 in the Morning, the SUCCESS and CYGNET discovering the Enemy off the Mouth of the River, retired; and by their frequent discharges, gave notice of their approach. About 9 of the clock about 24 or 25 sail of them began to appear in Tilbury-Hope, eight of them advancing as far as Hull-Haven. 'About 11 or 12 the SUCCESS, being then with 18 other of his Majestie's Men of War and Fireships in the Hope, exchanged several guns with the headmost of the Enemy; when their first squadron of 8 ships coming to an anchor within shot, a sharp fight began between them . . . Then Sir Edward Spragg with his Ship stoutly bore up towards the whole Fleet of the Enemy, and sent out a Fireship, who had wrought herself very near one of their greatest men of War, being lustily seconded by Sir Edward Spragg in his Flag Ship . . . ' <1>