Schooneveld, battle of

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Schooneveld, battle of, 1673. In May 1673, during the third Anglo-Dutch War, it was resolved to attack the Dutch in the Schooneveld, off the island of Walcheren. Rupert was joined by a French squadron, which gave him some superiority over a Dutch fleet under de Ruyter and Cornelis Tromp. The first engagement on 7 June was inconclusive. On 14 June the Dutch attacked in turn and a running fight developed. Once more the result was inconclusive—‘a grand skirmish rather than a straight fight’ was the French commander's comment—though the Dutch had prevented a threatened landing.

J. A. Cannon

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