ROBERT BLAKE

English Admiral Robert Blake - one of the examples showing that a good horseman, led the fleet might not be the worst naval than many sailors.

Robert Blake was born in August 1599 in Bridgewater, Sommerset County, a wealthy merchant family, graduated from Oxford University and in 1640 was elected to the "short parliament. As a Puritan, he opposed Charles I. During the civil wars of 1642-1646 and 1648′s Blake commanded some cavalry troops in battles against the royalist. The victory of his cavalry regiment, his personal courage and determination have earned him well-deserved reputation in the defense of Lime-Regis (Dorsetshir) in 1644 and, while keeping Tauntona (Somerset) to stake out his more than a year (1644-1645) royalist. In 1645 Blake opted for the "Long Parliament. " He joined the Republican Party and soon became the head of Puritan party.

When required to re-establish the fleet, Oliver Cromwell in February 1649 instructed Blake, cavalry colonel, formerly in the navy does not exist, the leadership of British maritime forces. Two months later he was made to destroy a small fleet of royalist Prince Rupert. Ships and tactics Blake comprehend during the fighting. In 1650, eight months, he blocked the fleet of Prince Rupert in Kinseyle (Ireland). However, the storm scattered the ships of Blake and the Prince was able to go to Lisbon. There he was again blocked Blake, who captured several Portuguese vessels. The Prince took a squadron to the Mediterranean Sea, in Malaga. Blake followed him, and with royalist an attempt to break out of Malaga in November 1650 destroyed their boats, but four or five, in Cartagena. Returning to the coast of England in 1651, Blake cleared of royalist and the pirates and the Jersey Islands Silla.

In November 1652 the generals Blake, Monk, and fired in Montagut admirals. At the beginning of the Anglo-Dutch War, 1652-1654′s Blake took command of the fleet in the English Channel. The first fighting took place May 29, 1652, before the war, when British ships attacked the Dutch fleet, after refusing TROMP with flags in the form of greeting. The Dutch lost two ships left their ports. In June, the English government sent a squadron of Admiral Askyu in Plymouth, a main force of Admiral Blake - to the shores of Scotland in order to capture merchant ships of Holland.

Photo — «Robert Blake»

Blake also had to destroy the Dutch fishing fleet.

August 28, 1652 Dutchman Ryuyter won a major victory in Plimutskom battle over the British squadron Askyu. On hearing of the motion of 68 ships of Admiral Blake Garvicha to the west in support of Askyu, Dutch captain tried to avoid battle with the superior forces of the enemy. In addition, his ships were in need of powder, shells, and doctors. October 2, between Dunkirk and Nivportom Ryuyter joined with came from Tekselya 44 warships de Witt, who took command. After sending 10 ships to repair the de Witt had 64 ships and occupied the position between Askyu and Blake. He decided to fight, but not organized intelligence, and therefore the emergence of Blake on 8 October was unexpected.

In the battle at Kentish-stranded Nok Blake in cavalry attacked rapidly, not allowing the enemy to build a navy. The British initially damaged rigging Dutch hurting their agility, and then focus fire on the hull. Dutch avant-garde and the Center fought bravely, while the rear has deliberately avoided the battle. The British are strongly attacked, resorting to the board. Dutch ships were beaten, the flagship of Ryuytera received four holes at the waterline. The battle ended with the onset of darkness. The Dutch have lost 20 ships. By Blake reinforcements came from Plymouth. Rather than continue the battle, October 13, the Dutch returned to their ports. The British pursued the poor, limiting out with the Dutch rearguard.

By December the Dutch regained strength of the fleet, bringing it up to 70 ships and several Brander. However, these ships were mostly armed merchant ships. Under the flag of Admiral M. TROMP fleet came out of Tekselya, konvoiruya to Cape Lizard 300 Dutch commercial vessels. The British are not expecting such a rapid recovery of the enemy, sent a portion of the Mediterranean Sea and Zunda. Blake stood in Dover with 37 ships. TROMP it decided to attack and divide. In the battle at the Cape Dendzhness December 10, initially survived the onslaught of the British the Dutch, but Blake was forced to retreat to the Thames and vigorously pursued it. Two British ship had surrendered, and three were destroyed. The Dutch lost only one ship, and safely conducted through the English Channel the entire convoy.

Photo — «Robert Blake»

In the winter in England, hard cooked navy, and in February 1653 68 ships were on a camping trip. Meanwhile, the Dutch conducted convoys. February 27, M. TROMP with 76 warships, protecting the 300 commercial vessels, has been at the meridian Portland. The next morning there was a battle. Approximately 13 hours were treated major enemy forces. TROMP, using a tail wind, left the convoy and attacked British warships at the front line. The British fired on attacking, but TROMP not shoot until you approached to a distance mushketnogo Blake shot to the ship, and gave it to volley from the left side, then turned, gave a volley from the right side and avoided the hard-hit flagship, forcing him to leave the fighting line . The battle lasted until the evening. At night the two fleets moved slowly up the English Channel. Portland continued to battle near the island of Wight and lasted all day. Both sides suffered in the crossfire, the British have a few damaged merchant ships. Nevertheless, with all thirty operational warships, TROMP, and March 2, entered into battle. By the evening of Blake went to the English coast. The British lost 6 ships and lost over 2000 killed and injured, the Dutch - 9 military and 24 commercial vessels, but the victory remained with them, because the departure Blake helped the Dutchmen perform the task, and 3 March the convoy arrived in Dunkirk.

In the battle of June 12-13, at the beach Gabard (near Newport), after the first day of battle, become a dumping ground, the emergence of 18 ships Blake helped Monk win. Englishmen in the morning to resume the battle. Using the collision of Dutch ships in the center, they have 15 ships. By the evening divided the Dutch retreated to Vilingenu.

When in 1654 and was awarded with the World Holland, Cromwell instructed Blake to show British sea power in the Mediterranean Sea. In the years 1654-1656, Admiral in command of a squadron and forced all to respect the flag of England Republican. In order to protect English trade at Naples from the French, Blake put under contribution to the Duke of Tuscan and Maltese knights and the Pope forced to pay a fine for a few captured British ships, which are sold to Prince Rupert on papal territory.

Photo — «Robert Blake»

In 1655 Blake made a raid against the North African corsair Tunisia, Algeria, Tripoli. April 9, his ships destroyed by artillery fortification harbor Porto Farina in the Gulf of Tunis, Brander burned vessels in the harbor. Planted on the shore detachment in 1000 destroyed the three Turkish corps. Then Admiral tomivshihsya freed in Algiers and Tripoli, slaves, the British. Blake has also been advantageous for England to conclude alliances with Venice and Tuscany.

In the Anglo-Spanish War (1655-1659) in 1656 with the squadron, Blake came to the shores of Spain, Cadiz, and blocked intercepted Spanish "Silver Fleet". In September, his Vice-Admiral Montagu seized two Spanish galleon, the main part of the Spanish fleet was burned Blake April 3, 1657 in the harbor of Santa Cruz (the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands). He destroyed enemy ships and coastal defense, not losing a single ship, and captured a Spanish galleon laden with silver.

The hard work and injuries have undermined the health of the admiral. Diseases and injuries forced him to return home in late summer. He died shortly before the arrival of the ship in the harbor Plimutskuyu August 17, 1657. The solemn funeral in Westminster Abbey, organized by the Cromwell, was a tribute to the memory of remarkable merit and naval England.

"Fighting Instructions" Blake described in detail the elements of Marine tactics, which was used in the next century. Written Blake, along with other generals, "Articles of War" provided valuable guidance on the transition from chaotic combat for joint maneuvers, and became the basis of the marine disciplines.

In 1660, after the restoration of the dynasty Stewart, monarchists have destroyed the tomb in Westminster Abbey Blake and threw the coffin with the body of Admiral in the Thames. Later the coffin was taken from the river and buried in the church of St. Margaret in London. Life and work of Blake focused on several books, produced in England.