A mixed-outcome frigate engagement of the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War in which each side captured one enemy vessel but neither retained both prizes.
Key Facts
- Date
- 30 May 1781
- Duration
- More than two hours
- British frigates
- Flora (36 guns), Crescent (28 guns)
- Dutch frigates
- Castor (36 guns), Den Briel (36 guns)
- British prize taken
- Castor struck colours to Flora
- Dutch boarding prevented
- Flora rescued Crescent before Den Briel could board
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Fourth Anglo-Dutch War broke out in 1780 after Britain declared war on the Dutch Republic, leading to widespread naval skirmishing. Off Cabo de Santa Maria, two Royal Navy frigates and two Dutch States Navy frigates encountered each other, setting the stage for a direct engagement.
On 30 May 1781, HMS Flora and HMS Crescent fought the Dutch frigates Castor and Den Briel. Flora compelled Castor to strike her colours, but Den Briel then forced Crescent to surrender. Before the Dutch could board Crescent, Flora intervened and compelled Den Briel to withdraw, leaving the action unresolved overall.
The battle ended with Castor as a British prize but Crescent unboarded and retained by the Royal Navy. Neither side achieved a clean tactical victory, and the engagement illustrated the closely matched frigate forces both nations deployed during the conflict.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
William Peere Williams-Freeman (Flora), Thomas Pakenham (Crescent).
Side B
1 belligerent
Pieter Melvill van Carnbee (Castor), Gerardus Oorthuys (Den Briel).