Holmes Sir Robert

Holmes, Sir Robert, naval commander, was born in 1622, and, when young, served in the army of Charles I. In 1649-50 he accompanied Prince Rupert's piratical squadron, and immediately after the Restoration commanded a force on the coast of Guinea. In 1664 he reduced the Dutch African settlements, and captured New York, and during the Dutch War he was present in all the principal battles. In 1666 he was knighted and made a rear-admiral, and in the same year he commanded a squadron which burnt an enormous amount of Dutch shipping in the Vlie. These services procured him in 1669 the governorship of the Isle- of Wight. In 1672 he commanded the force which operated against the Dutch Smyrna fleet, and he was present in the St. Michael' at the battle of Solebay. He died in 1692, and lies buried at Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.