Action of 12 March 1672

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Action of 12 March 1672" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Action of 12 March 1672
Part of the Franco-Dutch War
Holme's attack on the Smyrna Fleet, off Beachy Head, 12 March 1672
Date 12–13 March 1672 Location English Channel Result Most of the convoy escapes
Belligerents
England	Dutch Republic
Commanders and leaders
Sir Robert Holmes Sir Frescheville Holles	Adriaan de Haaze † Cornelis Evertsen
Strength
9 warships	5 warships 66 merchantmen
Casualties and losses
1 ship disabled (Saint Michael) and severe damage to the other ships	1 warship lost (Klein Hollandia) 4 small merchantmen captured

The action of 12 March 1672 was a naval battle in the Third Anglo-Dutch War between a squadron commanded by [[Robert Holmes (Royal Navy officer) |Sir Robert Holmes]] and Sir Frescheville Holles against the Smyrna convoy, which was protected by 5 warships under De Haaze and Cornelis Evertsen.^[1] The Battle took place before the official start of the conflict, but now there was no turning back and England declared war on the Dutch Republic on March 17, 1672.