The Dutch Republic, despite its successes, is…
March 1653 CE
The Dutch Republic, despite its successes, is unable to sustain a prolonged naval war.
As press-ganging is forbidden, enormous sums have to be paid to attract enough sailors.
English privateers inflict serious damage on Dutch shipping.
Unable to assist all of their colonies, the Dutch have had to allow the Portuguese to reconquer Brazil.
Though the politicians are close to making an end to the conflict, the war will prove to have a momentum of its own.
The English over the winter of 1652–53 have repaired their ships and considered their position.
Robert Blake has written the Sailing and Fighting Instructions, a major overhaul of naval tactics, containing the first formal description of the line of battle.
The English by February 1653 had been ready to challenge the Dutch, and in the three-day Battle of Portland in early March they drive them out of The Channel.
Their success sees an abrupt end to the English desire for peace.