" and so home, where all our hearts do ake; for the news is true, that the Dutch have broke the chain and burned our ships ….I do fear much that the whole kingdom is undone" Samuel Pepys:12 June 1667
"..a dreadful spectacle as ever Englishmen saw, and a dishonour never to be wiped off!" John Evelyn 18 June 1667
In Spring 1667 the dockyard itself was attacked by the Dutch fleet under Admiral de Ruyter. His assault on Chatham (known to the Dutch as the 'Battle of Chatham' and to the English as the 'Medway Raid'), succeeded in destroying much of the fleet at anchor in the lower reaches of the river, captured the Royal Charles, flagship of the English fleet and spread alarm through the government and south east alike.
The Dutch assault, recorded in the diaries of both Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn clearly demonstrates the importance of the dockyard at Chatham and the national impact that the raid had. The outcome of the battle had a more direct impact for Peter Pett, Chatham's senior official - the Resident Commissioner for he was sent to the Tower of London!
The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent ME4 4TZ, England
Info Line: +44 (0)1634 823807 Trust Office: +44 (0)1634 823800 Fax: +44 (0)1634 823801
