An action of the Four Days' Battle, 1-4 June 1666, late 17th century (oil on...

Creator: Lieve Pietersz Verschuier The Four Days' Battle, during the Second Dutch War, 1665-1667, was the longest fleet action in naval history and almost a major disaster for the English. It was fought in the southern North Sea between an English fleet of 56 ships under the command of the Duke of Albemarle and a larger Dutch fleet commanded by Lieutenant-Admiral Michiel de Ruyter. The outcome was fiercely contested but eventually the English gained the weather position and comparative safety, although a large number of casualties were incurred on both sides.