Ships, Defences and How the Raid Worked Flashcards

1️⃣ Familiarise yourself with the flashcards:

  • Look through all the flashcards to see what's on both sides.
  • Make sure you understand the information on each card. If something's unclear, click the link to the revision notes at the bottom of the page for more details.

2️⃣ Test yourself:

  • Look at the question or prompt on each card and try to remember the answer before flipping it over.
  • Check the answer and make a note of any cards you find challenging and need to go over more.

3️⃣ Consistently Review and Practice:

  • Use spaced repetition: spend more time on the cards you struggle with and go over them more often.
  • Regularly review all the flashcards to help you better understand and retain the information over time.

Note: We may include questions that have multiple correct answers. It's useful to remember specific examples to understand these concepts better.

PERSONALISED 1-TO-1 TUTORING

Need more help on this topic? Get 1-to-1 support

Get support with clear explanations, practice and feedback (Ages 5 to 16).

  • DBS-checked tutors
  • Flexible times
  • Parents can be updated
Book a free 10-min call See pricing

Want an ad-free experience? Subscribe to remove ads

What was the condition of most English warships at Chatham before the Dutch raid in 1667?

Most were laid up in harbour, with few crew on board and many guns removed.

Why did the state of the English ships at Chatham make them easy targets?

Because they could not sail away quickly or fight back with full gun crews.

What was special about the Dutch ships that helped them sail up the Medway?

They were smaller, with a shallow draught, so they could move in narrow, shallow water.

What was the heavy chain across the River Medway designed to do?

It was meant to block the river at Gillingham and stop enemy ships sailing upriver.

How did the Dutch fleet get past the chain defence across the Medway?

They attacked and burned the English guardships, damaged the chain, and then sailed through.

What was Sheerness fort and what happened to it during the raid?

It was a small fort guarding the river mouth; the Dutch bombarded it and quickly captured it.

What role did Upnor Castle play in the defence of the Medway?

It was a riverside castle with guns that fired at the Dutch ships but could not stop them.

In the Medway defences, what were "blockships" and how were they used?

They were old ships sunk on purpose in the river to block the channel, but they left gaps the Dutch could sail through.

How did the Dutch use fireships during the raid on the Medway?

They sent burning ships drifting into English warships, setting them on fire and breaking the defence line.

What happened to the English flagship Royal Charles in the raid?

Dutch sailors boarded the Royal Charles, captured it, and towed it back to the Netherlands as a prize.

What happened to several other large English warships at Chatham during the raid?

The Dutch burned or blew up a number of them while they lay at anchor near the dockyard.

In simple steps, how did the Dutch raid on the Medway happen?

First, the Dutch fleet sailed into the Thames and turned into the Medway. Next, they took Sheerness fort at the river mouth. Then they broke through the chain and other river defences. Finally, they attacked Chatham dockyard, burning ships and towing away the Royal Charles.

Previous Topic
Back to Lesson
Next Topic