Photo de stock - Hutchinson´s History of the Nations. Hutchinson's History of the Nations, originally published in the late 1800s, provides readers with a comprehensive narrative of the histories of the main nations and civilizations across the world. A combat between the Dutch and English Fleets off Texel. On 4 June 1673, the Dutch and English fleets fought a naval battle off the coast of the Dutch island of Texel. The battle was part of the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672–1674), and was part of an attempt by the Dutch to drive the English fleet back to England. The Dutch fleet was under the command of Lieutenant-Admiral Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter. It consisted of around 54 ships, including 37 ships of the line and 17 smaller ships. The English fleet was led by Lieutenant-Admiral Sir Edward Spragge and was significantly larger, consisting of 74 ships, including 53 ships of the line and 21 smaller vessels. The battle began just before noon when the English fleet fired the first volleys. De Ruyter answered with his own broadsides, and the two fleets engaged in a pursuit battle. After an hour, the Dutch fleet split into two divisions. The Dutch van, under de Ruyter's command, sailed towards the English line, while the rear sailed at an angle and managed to cross the English flank and engage them from the side.