Blake, Robert

Blake, Robert (1599-1657), soldier, admiral, b. Bridgwater, Somerset, England.

Until the age of forty, Blake was a merchant. He made some voyages to distant places but mainly lived the quiet life of a country gentleman.

In the English Civil War he became an officer in Cromwell's army and later, with two other officers, was placed in charge of the navy.

In 1650 Blake destroyed the King's fleet led by Prince Rupert. War at sea with Holland followed (1652-54). The Dutch admiral, Martin Tromp, defeated Blake off Goodwin Sands. It is said that Tromp fastened a broom to his mast, saying, 'I have swept the English from the seas.' But in 1653, Blake defeated the Dutch in a battle off Calais.

Two years later he attacked the Barbary pirates in their stronghold of Tunis and forced them to surrender.

In 1657 war broke out with Spain. Blake attacked a fleet of sixteen Spanish ships at Santa Cruz in the Canary Islands and destroyed the fleet and the town as well.

On the voyage home he fell ill, and he died just as his ship entered harbour at Plymouth.

See FRANK KNIGHT General-at-Sea: the life of Admiral Robert Blake