Camperdown

11 October 1797

Naval Art of Paul Deacon

As an ally of France, Holland assisted in a plan to land material for Irish rebels in Ireland.

A Dutch fleet of 16 ships under Admiral Jan de Winter set sail with equipment and 15,000 troops hoping to take advantage of unrest in the Royal Navy following the mutinies at the Nore and Spithead.

The British North Sea Fleet under Admiral Adam Duncan intercepted the Dutch and began what turned into a bloody fight.

At the end of the clash the Dutch had suffered 5000 casualties and had lost nine ships of the line and a number of frigates. Duncan had not lost one vessel.

Camperdown eased pressures on the Royal Navy having to cover the Dutch fleet and ended Irish rebel hopes of getting any support from mainland Europe.