Battle of Medway, Willem Schellinks, c. 1668
oil on canvas, h 153cm × w 209cm More details
In June 1667 a battle fleet under the command of Michiel de Ruyter surprised the English anchored off Chatham. In the foreground Sheerness Fort can be seen going up in flames. A heavy barrier chain is strung midway across the River Medway, but in vain: columns of smoke rise from the various English ships torched by the Dutch upriver.
