Action of 2 May 1654

Action of 2 May 1654
Part of Dutch-Portuguese War
Date 2 May 1654 Location Near Colombo, Ceylon Result Dutch victory
Belligerents
Dutch Republic	Portuguese Empire
Strength
11 ships	3 galleons

Action of 2 May 1654 was a sea battle which took place near Colombo, Ceylon, when a force of 11 Dutch ships defeated 3 Portuguese galleons, which ran aground and were burnt near Carmona, north of Cabo de Rama. On about 4 May Zijdeworm was burnt as a fireship near Karwar, and on 6 May the Portuguese galleon Nazareth was burnt near Hanovar. This removed a significant proportion of Portuguese ships in the Indian Ocean area.

Ships involved

Netherlands

• Avenhoorn 30-40
• Sluys 30-40
• Cabeljauw 30-40
• Hulst 30-40
• Saphier 30-40
• Konijn 30-40
• Gecroonde Leeuw 30-40 (same as Roode Leuw?)
• Muyden 30-40
• Weesp 38
• Popkensburch 30-40
• Zijdeworm 30-40

The first 7 ships dealt with Santo António de Mazagão and the rest with São João Pérola.

Portugal

• Santo António de Mazagão 36 (António Sottomaior) - Aground and burnt
• São João Pérola 38 (António de Abreu??) - Aground and burnt
• Nazaré 42

Guns are also given as around 28-30 each.

References