The Four Days’ Battle, 1–4 June 1666, was the first test of the Dutch fleet newly fitted out under the command of de Ruyter. The English fleet was divided in an attempt to hold off the French and on the first two days the Dutch severely handled Albemarle’s weakened force. On the third day the English were again united by Prince Rupert’s return from the westward and a serious defeat was avoided, both fleets having to return home to refit.

The drawing depicts the battle on the fourth day showing the ‘Royal Prince’ still burning, the smoke from which is seen in the distance (‘de brant’ and ‘ver de brant’ with notes as to the colour of the smoke: ‘rout’, and sky: ‘blau’). To windward of her can be distinguished Tromp’s flag flying in Sweer’s ship (‘tromp’). In the centre middle distance is a stern view of Meppel’s ship, the ‘Westfriesland’ (‘meppelen’). In the right middle-distance, an English ship cut off by the Dutch (‘engels’). Further to the right is Lieutenant-Admiral Cornelis Evertsen (‘c evers’). On the horizon to the left and right are the retreating English (‘… dere/ [?] engelse wijke’ and ‘het weijckende en …’).

Inscribed ‘mandach migdach ten 5 a 6 uren’ [Monday afternoon at five or six o’clock].

This is one of two rapid panoramic sketches (see also PAI7687) which have every appearance of having been done at sea.