Camperdown

Village on the northwestern Netherlands coast, off which a British fleet defeated the Dutch 11 October 1797 in the Revolutionary Wars; the battle effectively marked the end of significant Dutch naval power.

A large Dutch fleet had been blockaded in the Texel by five British warships which had bluffed Ian De Winter, the Dutch admiral, into thinking that the British fleet lay over the horizon by making spurious signals. A storm forced the blockaders back to England and De Winter broke out with 16 warships and sailed for the River Maas. The British admiral Viscount Duncan also mustered 16 ships and sailed to intercept the Dutch course. Duncan signalled for an attack in line, but the foul weather obscured the signals. Eventually Duncan signalled for the British ships to sail between the Dutch, so placing themselves between the Dutch and the shore. All engaged with broadsides as they passed through and the fighting became general, the Dutch ships being defeated one by one. Nine surrendered and the rest fled with considerable damage.