1855, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Suffolk

Lowestoft chapter, page 560

---

Oliver Cromwell was allowed to march into the town, in 1644, at the head of 1000 cavalry, and fix his head quarters at the Swan Inn. After Oliver and his soldiers had lived for some time almost at free quarters in the town, they marched to Cambridge, taking with them Sir John Pettus, Sir Edward Barker, Capt. Allen, and several gentlemen as prisoners.

On the 3rd of June, 1665, on of the most sanguinary naval engagements that took place during the war with Dutch, under Charles II, was fought off Lowestoft, and continued from three in the morning till seven in the evening. The Dutch fleet consisted of 102 men-of-war, and 17 yachts and fire-ships; the English fleet of 114 men-of-war, and 28 fire-ships. The former was completely routed, with the loss of 18 ships captured and 14 sunk or burnt. About 4000 of the enemy were killed, and 2000 taken prisoners. The English lost only one ship and 250 men, and their wounded did not exceed 350.

---

Among the celebrated naval commanders to whom Lowestoft has given birth are the following: - Sir Thomas Allen, who, during Cromwell's protectorate, was stedfastly attached to the royal cause, and was, soon after the restoration, appointed to a command in the Royal Navy. In 1664, he was sent as Commander-in-chief to the Mediterranean, where the following spring, on the commencement of the war with the Dutch, he fell in with their Smyrna fleet, consisting of forty veessels, some of which were very strong, under convoy of four ships of war. After an obstinate engagement in which the Dutch Commander fell, Sir Thomas, who had only eight ships made prize of four of the richest of the enemy's fleet. In the obstinate engagements off Lowestoft, in 1665, and near the cost of Flanders and the North Foreland, in 1666, Sir Thomas bore a distinguished part. On the conclusion of the first Dutch War, he was again sent to the Mediterranean to chastise the Algerines, and after his return, was, in consideration of his numorous services, created a baronet in 1669. About the same time he purchased the estate of Somerleyton Hall, and removing thither from Lowestoft, passed the rest of his life in retirement.

Andrew Leake, after several progressive steps in the navy, was appointed to the command of a ship in 1696. He afterwards received the honour of knighthood, and in 1705 commanded the Grafton of 70 guns, in the attack on Gibralter. In the engagement off Malaga, in the same year, he led the van of the division under the Commander-in-Chief, Sir George Rooke; but received a wound, of which he exspired during the action. After it had been dressed, he wrapped a table-cloth round his body, and though life was fast ebbing, he placed himself in his elbow chair, in which he desired to be again carried upon the quarter-deck, where he undauntedly sat and partook of the glories of the day until he breathed his last. From the remarkable comeliness of his person, Sir Andrew is said to have been distinguished by the appellation of Queen Ann's handsome captain.

Rear Admiral Richard Utbar, who took an active share in most of the hard fought engagements with the Dutch, in the early part of the reign of Charles II, died in 1669, and was buried here, as also were Admiral Sir John Ashby in 1693, and his nephew Vice-Admiral James Mighells in 1733.

It is worthy of remark that the five naval heroes of Lowestoft noticed were all related either by consanguinity or marriage.

Thomas Nash, a facetious writer of considerable reputation in the latter part of the 16th century, was also a native of Lowestoft. The most witty of his publications is a satirical pamphlet of praise of red herrings; intended as a joke upon the great staple of Yarmouth and the pretensions of that place to superiority over Lowestoft.

In the church are memorials of Captain Thomas Arnold, who died in 1737, and several other worthies of Lowestoft, besides those just enumerated. Samson Arnold Mackay, the natural son of Captain Arnold, died at Doughty's Hospital, in Norwich in July 1843, aged 78.

---

← Lowestoft chapter, page 559

Lowestoft chapter, page 561 →