Action of 23 March 1654

Part of Dutch-Portuguese War

Date	23 March 1654
Location	Near Colombo, Ceylon
Result	Portuguese victory

Belligerents

Portuguese Empire

Dutch Republic

Strength

5 galleons

3 ships

Dutch-Portuguese War

Bantam Malacca Cape Rachado Swally Macau 1st Bahia Persian Gulf 2nd Bahia 1st Elmina Recife Albrolhos 2nd Elmina Goa 3rd Bahia 4th Bahia Mormugão Itamaracá Malacca Luanda Tabocas Kombi 1st Guararapes 2nd Guararapes Recife 1st Colombo 2nd Colombo

The Action of March 23, 1654 is the name given to a naval battle which took place near Colombo, Ceylon, when a force of 5 Portuguese galleons which were escorting 5 merchant galliots to Colombo, fought its way through a Dutch blockading squadron of 3 ships. 2 of the Dutch ships were captured, but the Portuguese in the confusion of having their 2 top officers killed, these ships were recaptured. They ran aground but were refloated.

Ships involved

Portugal

Nazareth 42 (flag, António Pereira)
São João 38 (second flag, Álvaro de Novais)
Santo António de Mazagão 36 (António Sottomaior)
São José 34 (Francisco Machado Deca)
São Filipe e Santiago 24 (António de Abreu)

Netherlands

Windhond (flag?)
Renoçer (Rhinoceros) (second flag?)
Drommedaris (yacht)

Renoçer and probably Windhond were the captured ships.