Wreck of 17th century English fireship, Albemarle, off Lower Hope (EHER 82691)

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, to which she had been brought from the Medway, 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. It is not known at which stage of the action the ALBEMARLE was expended, but for convenience, and in order not to artificially inflate the numbers of wrecks in the action by treating them separately, it is assumed that she was the 'Fireship that wrought up to one of theirs, and grappling together, both of them burnt down' in the early stages of the battle. Constructed of wood, the ALBEMARLE was a sailing vessel.

Information from the NRHE 'Whitehall, July 24: On Saturday and Sunday last severall 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, sayling for the Buoy in the Nore; and between 3 and 4 that afternoon were discovered plying with all the sayl 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, and one Fireship was seen flaming, but it was hard to distinguish to what side she belonged, by reason of the smoke. The shot continuing between both Fleets, one of our Fireships wrought up to one of theirs, and grapling together, both of them burnt down, but so close to another ship of the Enemies . . . ' <1> Compiler's comments It is not known at which stage of the action the ALBEMARLE was expended, but for convenience, and in order not to artificially inflate the numbers of wrecks in the action by treating them separately, it is assumed that she was the 'Fireship that wrought up to one of theirs, and grapling together, both of them burnt down' in the early stages of the battle. <2> Fireship, 6guns, 164 tons BM. Purchased and expended 1667. <3> Following the successful Dutch raid on the Medway, a large Dutch squadron was employed in blockading the Thames. To counter them, a force of fireships, under Sir Joseph Jordan and Sir Edward Spragge, was assembled at Harwich and in the Hope respectively. On 23-JUL, the Dutch attacked the English squadron assembled off Tilbury, both sides using fireships. The ALBEMARLE was expended in this action, but whether or not achieved any success is unknown. <4>, based on <5> Purchased: 1667 <3>-<6> Armament: 6 x cannon <3> - <6> Commanding Officer: Captain John Shelley RN <4> <5> Owner: Royal Navy <3>-<6> Date of Loss Qualifier: Actual date of loss