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{{Short description|Military campaign inof Netherlandsthe EastNapoleonic IndiesWars}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox military conflict

| conflict = Java campaign of 1806–1807

| partof = the [[Napoleonic Wars]]

| image = Capture of the Maria Riggersbergen, Octr. 18th. 1806.jpg

| caption = ''Capture of the Maria Riggersbergen, Octr. 18th 1806'' <br /> [[Thomas Whitcombe]], 1817

|image_size=300px

| date = June 1806 – December 1807

|caption=''Capture of the Maria Riggersbergen, Octr. 18th 1806''<br />[[Thomas Whitcombe]], 1817

| place = [[Java]], [[Dutch East Indies]]

|date=June 1806 – December 1807

| result = British victory

|place=[[Java]], [[Dutch East Indies]]

| combatant1={{flagdeco|United Kingdom}} = [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]]

|result=British victory

| combatant2 ={{flagdeco|Netherlands}} [[Kingdom of Holland|Holland]] <br /> [[Dutch East Indies]]

|combatant1={{flagdeco|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]]

| commander1={{flagdeco|United Kingdom|civil}} = [[Edward Pellew]]

|combatant2={{flagdeco|Netherlands}} [[Kingdom of Holland|Holland]]

| commander2 ={{flagdeco|Netherlands}} [[Pieter Hartsinck]]

|commander1={{flagdeco|United Kingdom|civil}} [[Edward Pellew]]

| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Java campaign of 1806-1807}} <br /> {{Campaignbox Napoleonic Wars}} <br /> {{Dutch colonial campaigns}}

|commander2={{flagdeco|Netherlands}} [[Pieter Hartsinck]]

|campaignbox={{Campaignbox Java campaign of 1806-1807}}

{{Campaignbox Napoleonic Wars}}

}}

The '''Java campaign of 1806–1807''' was a minor[[military campaign]] duringof the [[Napoleonic Wars]] byin Britishwhich the [[Royal Navy]] forces againstdestroyed a naval squadron of the [[Kingdomnavy of Holland]],the a client stateKingdom of the [[First French Empire|French EmpireHolland]], based on the island of [[Java]]. inIn the1806, [[DutchRear Eastadmiral (Royal IndiesNavy)|Rear-admiral]]. Seeking to eliminate any threat to valuable British merchant convoys passing through the [[MalaccaEdward Straits]]Pellew, Rear-Admiral1st [[EdwardViscount PellewExmouth|Sir Edward Pellew]] determined in early 1806 that the Dutch navalsquadron, forcesconsisting basedof atthree Java,[[Ship whichof includedthe several [[line|ships of the line]] and threeseveral smaller warships under [[frigateVice admiral|Vice-admiral]] [[Pieter Hartsinck]]s, hadposed toa bepotential defeatedthreat to ensure British dominancemerchant inshipping thepassing region. Lackingthrough the forces[[Strait toof effectMalacca]]. an invasionAs ofPellew lacked the Dutchstrength to invade Java colonyoutright, Pellewhe instead soughtestablished to isolate anda [[blockade]] of the [[Dutch squadronEast basedIndies]]' atcapital of [[Batavia, Dutch East Indies|Batavia]] inand preparationmade forpreparations raidsto specificallyengage targetingin thetargeted Dutchnaval shipsstrikes withto hisisolate mainand forcedestroy Hartsinck's squadron.

Although hishe plans werewas delayed by inadequate resources and the [[Vellore Mutiny]] in [[British India|India]], Pellew sent the frigate [[HMS Greyhound (1783)|HMS ''Greyhound'']] to the [[Java Sea]] in July 1806. ''Greyhound''There, interceptedshe and[[Action defeatedof 26 July 1806|destroyed a Dutch convoy]] off the coast ofnear [[Sulawesi|Celebes]] on 2526 July. andNearly three months later, theanother British frigate, [[HMS Caroline (1795)|HMS ''Caroline'']], managedcaptured to capture thea Dutch frigate Mariaand Riggersbergenbrig at[[action theof entrance18 toOctober Batavia1806|on harbour.18 FollowingOctober]] theseoff successes,Batavia. PellewBuilding wason ablethis tomomentum, Pellew bringbrought his main force to bear on the islandregion and inon 27 November 1806[[Raid launchedon aBatavia major raid on(1806)|raided Batavia]], destroying the remaininglast frigate and aseveral number of minorsmaller warships fromof the DutchHartsinck's squadron. TheAs Dutchthe three ships of the line had escaped prior to Pellew's attack to the harbour of [[Gresik Regency|Griessie]] nearprior [[Surabaya]],to andthe althoughraid, theyPellew were old andreturned in aOctober poor1807. stateHis offorces repair[[Raid Pellewon wasGriessie|raided forced to lead a second operation to JavaGriessie]] in Octoberearly 1807December, capturingduring thewhich portall andthree eliminatingships of the lastline Dutchwere navalscuttled. forces in the east.

The victorydestruction gaveof BritainHartsinck's dominancesquadron overled itsto Europeanthe rivalscollapse of Dutch naval power in the region and secured Britain's [[command of the sea]] across the western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean, allowingensuring freesafe passage offor British trademerchant throughshipping. With the regionDutch andno allowinglonger Britisha forcesthreat to focusBritish onmercantile theinterests onein remainingthe threatEast toIndies, theirBritain's merchantattention convoysturned into the Indiantwo Ocean: theremaining French islandscolonies ofin [[Îlethe Bonaparte]]Indian andOcean, [[Isle de France (Mauritius)|Isle de France]] (nowand [[Réunion|Isle Bonaparte]]. In the [[Mauritius campaign of 1809–1811]]), both colonies were occupied by British forces, ending the threat from European rivals to Britain's interests in the region.

==Background==

At the start of 1806, control of the Indian Ocean in the [[Napoleonic Wars]] was disputed. The [[First French Empire|French Empire]] and its client state the [[Kingdom of Holland]] held significant naval bases in the region, from which their warships could operate against British interests. The French islands of [[Île Bonaparte]] and [[Isle de France (Mauritius)|Isle de France]] dominated the central Indian Ocean, their position allowing raiders to cruise British trade routes and attack isolated convoys, while the Dutch colonies at the [[Cape of Good Hope]] and the [[Dutch East Indies]] controlled the points of entry to the ocean from east and west with their own naval squadrons.<ref name="RLA183">Adkins, p. 183</ref><ref name="RG93">Gardiner, p. 93</ref> The British, whose bases in India gave them control of the Northern Indian Ocean, were able to obtain supplies and reinforcements from Europe more easily than their enemies, as the Royal Navy was already dominant in European waters, but British forces in the region were still insufficient to make a significant impact on the French and Dutch territories.<ref name="RG59">Gardiner, p. 59</ref> Control of the Indian Ocean was essential for the British war effort, because the British economy relied heavily on trade with the holdings of the [[Honourable East India Company]] in India and with other ports in the east, particularly in China.<ref name="RLA342">Adkins, p. 342</ref>

AtIn the startbeginning of 1806, control of the Indian Ocean in the [[Napoleonic Wars]] was disputed. The [[First French Empire|French Empire]] and its Dutch client state, the [[Batavian Republic|Batavian Commonwealth]] (which became the [[Kingdom of Holland]] in mid-1806), held significant naval bases in the region, from which their warships could operate against British interests. The French islandscolonies of [[Île Bonaparte]] and [[Isle de France (Mauritius)|Isle de France]] and [[Réunion|Isle Bonaparte]] dominated the central Indian Ocean, theirallowing position allowingallied raiders to cruise British trade routes and attack isolated convoys, while the [[Dutch colonies at the [[Cape of Good HopeColony]] and the [[Dutch East Indies]] controlled the points of entry to the ocean from east and west, with theirsquadron ownbeing navalbased squadronsat both colonies.<ref name="RLA183">Adkins, p. 183</ref><ref name="RG93">Gardiner, p. 93</ref> The British, whose bases in India gave them control of the Northern Indian Ocean, were able to obtain supplies and reinforcements from Europe more easily than their enemies, as the Royal Navy was already dominant in European waters, but British forces in the region were still insufficient to make a significant impact on the French and Dutch territories.<ref name="RG59">Gardiner, p. 59</ref> Control of the Indian Ocean was essential for the British war effort, because the British economy relied heavily on trade with the holdings of the [[Honourable East India Company]] in India and with other ports in the east, particularly in China.<ref name="RLA342">Adkins, p. 342</ref>

In 1803 at the outbreak of the Napoleonic Wars, [[Linois' expedition to the Indian Ocean|a French squadron]] under Rear-Admiral [[Charles-Alexandre Durand Linois|Charles Linois]] was already operating in the Indian Ocean against British commerce, initially based at Isle de France.<ref name= "WJ3:212">James, Vol. 3, p. 212</ref> Linois's principal target was the China Fleet, a large annual convoy of valuable [[East Indiamen]] merchant ships and smaller "country ships" that sailed from [[Guangzhou|Canton]] early in the year and crossed the Indian Ocean to the Cape of Good Hope, then passing northwards to Europe. In 1804, this convoy was worth over £8&nbsp;million and included 29 ships which—due to the sudden news of the outbreak of war—were entirely unprotected by the Royal Navy during the first leg of its journey across the [[South China Sea]].<ref name="RW194">Woodman, p. 194</ref> Although Linois was not aware of the weakness of the convoy's defences, he knew of its importance and value and determined to intercept it, using [[Batavia, Dutch East Indies|Batavia]] on the island of [[Java]] as his main base. Ultimately Linois failed to defeat the convoy, withdrawing after some initial skirmishing at the [[Battle of Pulo Aura]], but the importance of Batavia as a base against British shipping was confirmed.<ref name="WLC338">Clowes, p. 338</ref>

In 1803 at the outbreak of the Napoleonic Wars, [[Linois' expedition to the Indian Ocean|a French squadron]] under Rear[[Counter admiral|Counter-Admiraladmiral]] [[Charles-Alexandre Durand Linois|Charles Linois]] was already operating in the Indian Ocean against British commerce, initially based at Isle de France.<ref name= "WJ3:212">James, Vol. 3, p. 212</ref> Linois's principal target was the China Fleet, a large annual convoy of valuable [[East Indiamen]] merchant ships and smaller "country ships" that sailed from [[Guangzhou|Canton]] early in the year and crossed the Indian Ocean to the Cape of Good Hope, then passing northwards to Europe. In 1804, this convoy was worth over £8&nbsp;million and included 29 ships which—due to the sudden news of the outbreak of war—were entirely unprotected by the Royal Navy during the first leg of its journey across the [[South China Sea]].<ref name="RW194">Woodman, p. 194</ref> Although Linois was not aware of the weakness of the convoy's defences, he knew of its importance and value and determined to intercept it, using [[Batavia, Dutch East Indies|Batavia]] on the island of [[Java]] as his main base. Ultimately Linois failed to defeat the convoy, withdrawing after some initial skirmishing at the [[Battle of Pulo Aura]], but the importance of Batavia as a base against British shipping was confirmed.<ref name="WLC338">Clowes, p. 338</ref>

The British commander in the Indian Ocean, Rear-Admiral [[Peter Rainier (Royal Navy officer, born 1741)|Peter Rainier]], was preoccupied with protecting merchant shipping off India during 1804 and 1805 to be able to risk an expedition to the [[Java Sea]]. His successor, Rear-Admiral [[Edward Pellew|Sir Edward Pellew]] was distracted by the continued operations of Linois's squadron and attacks from frigates based at Isle de France to take any action against the Dutch before the beginning of the monsoon season at the end of 1805, at which point the threat posed by [[hurricanes]] prevented any major seabourne operations. However, by early 1806, the departure of Linois into the Atlantic Ocean allowed Pellew and his squadron in [[Madras]] to consider offensive operations against enemy harbours.<ref name="RG81"/> In addition to the threat from cruising French squadrons, the Dutch maintained their own force on Java, under Vice-Admiral [[Pieter Hartsinck]] at Batavia. This squadron—which consisted of four ships of the line, three frigates and a number of smaller warships—was principally tasked with anti-piracy operations, but their presence so close to the Malacca Straits was a source of concern to the British command in India.<ref name="RG81"/>

Control of the Indian Ocean was essential for the British war effort, because the British economy relied heavily on trade with the holdings of the Honourable East India Company in India and with other ports in the east, particularly in China.[4]

The British commander in the Indian Ocean, Rear-Admiraladmiral [[Peter Rainier (Royal Navy officer, born 1741)|Peter Rainier]], was preoccupied with protecting merchant shipping off India during 1804 and 1805 to be able to risk an expedition to the [[Java Sea]]. His successor, Rear-Admiraladmiral [[Edward Pellew|Sir Edward Pellew]] was distracted by the continued operations of Linois's squadron and attacks from frigates based at Isle de France to take any action against the Dutch before the beginning of the monsoon season at the end of 1805, at which point the threat posed by [[hurricanes]] prevented any major seabourne operations. However, by early 1806, the departure of Linois into the Atlantic Ocean allowed Pellew and his squadron in [[Madras]] to consider offensive operations against enemy harbours.<ref name="RG81"/> In addition to the threat from cruising French squadrons, thea Dutchsquadron maintainedof theirthe own[[navy forceof onthe Java,Kingdom of Holland]] under Vice-Admiraladmiral [[Pieter Hartsinck]] was based at Batavia. ThisHartsinck's squadron—whichsquadron, which consisted of fourthree ships of the line, three frigates and a number of smaller warships—waswarships, was principally tasked with anti-piracy operations, but their presence so close to the Malacca Straits was a source of concern to the British command in India.<ref name="RG81"/> Control of the Indian Ocean was essential for the British war effort, because the British economy relied heavily on trade with British India and other parts of Asia, particularly China.{{fact|date=May 2025}}

==Campaign==

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Elphinstone initially cruised through the [[Molucca Islands]] in June and July with some success, and on 25 July he discovered four Dutch ships passing through the [[Selayar Strait]]. Cautious of the larger force, Elphinstone observed the Dutch ships during the night and on the morning of 26 July identified the ships as a frigate, a corvette and two merchant ships, including a large [[East Indiaman]]. In response to the British ships, Dutch Captain [[Nicolaas Sebastiaan Aalbers]] formed his convoy into a [[line of battle]], hoping to dissuade Elphinstone from pressing home his attack.<ref name= "WJ251">James, Vol. 4, p. 251</ref> The British were not deterred and ''Greyhound'' engaged the Dutch frigate ''Pallas'' directly while ''Harrier'' passed between the frigate and the merchant ship next in line, [[raking fire|raking]] them both. Within 40 minutes, ''Pallas'' had surrendered and ''Harrier'' then successfully chased down and captured the two merchant ships while the corvette fled to the [[Sulawesi]] coast, evading pursuit.<ref name= "WLC386">Clowes, p. 386.</ref>

In the wake of Elphinstone's success, a second frigate entered Dutch waters, [[HMS Caroline (1795)|HMS ''Caroline'']] under Captain [[Peter Rainier (Royal Navy officer, born 1784)|Peter Rainier]] (nephew of Admiral Rainier) cruising the Java Sea during October. There Rainer discovered that the Dutch [[ships of the line]] had sailed eastward from Batavia,<ref name="LG2">{{London Gazette|issue=16139|page=568|date=23 April 1808}}</ref> except Schrikverwekker, which had been wrecked in the [[Thousand Islands (Indonesia)|Thousand Islands]] on 18 May with the loss of two men.<ref name="G213">Grocott, p. 213</ref> He also learned that the Dutch frigate {{Ship|Dutch frigate|Phoenix||2}} was undergoing repairs at an exposed anchorage on Onrust Island close to Batavia harbour. Sailing to investigate, ''Caroline'' arrived off the port on 18 October, but encountered two Dutch brigs that raised the alarm, allowing ''Phoenix'' to escape into the main harbour.<ref name="WLC392"/> Undeterred, Rainier sailed into Batavia [[roadstead]] and there discovered a number of small warships and the frigate Maria Riggersbergen. The smaller ships drove themselves on shore rather than fight the larger British vessel, but Captain [[Claas Jager]] on ''Maria Riggersbergen'' engaged ''Caroline''. In a battle lasting 30 minutes, the Dutch ship was defeated and captured, Rainier sending the prisoners on shore and removing the frigate, which was later renamed HMS ''Java''.<ref name="WJ267">James, Vol. 4, p. 267</ref>

===Attack on Batavia===

{{further|Raid on Batavia (1806)}}

[[File:Thomas Luny - The Frigates Sir Francis Drake and Terpsichore Attacking the Dutch Frigate Phoenix and Other Shipping in Batavia Roads, 1806.jpg|thumb|The British [[Raid on Batavia (1806)|raid on Batavia]] on 27 November 1806]]

Encouraged by the success of his frigates in the Java Sea, Pellew mustered a significant force in the early autumn of 1806, including four ships of the line, two frigates and a brig with which to eliminate the remaining Dutch squadron.<ref name="LG1">{{London Gazette|issue=16044|page=893|date=4 July 1807}}</ref> Reaching the [[Sunda Strait]] on 23 November, Pellew passed by the port of [[Bantam (city)|Bantam]] and on 27 November reached Batavia, splitting his forces so that the lighter vessels sailed close to shore and the ships of the line remained in deeper water outside the channel entering the harbour. A corvette was captured, and the rest of the Dutch squadron was taken by surprise, mistaking Pellew's force for a French squadron.<ref name="WLC392">Clowes, p. 392</ref> By the time their mistake was revealed, the harbour was already blocked and so Captain [[F. W. C. van de Sande]] drove ''Phoenix'' ashore, followed by six other warships and 22 merchant ships.<ref name="WJ268">James, Vol. 4, p. 268</ref>

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==Aftermath==

The success of the campaign against the Dutch squadron in the East Indies allowed British forces in the Indian Ocean to focus exclusively on theIsle Frenchde islands of Île BonaparteFrance and Isle de FranceBonaparte, which proved very difficult to subdue during the ensuing [[Mauritius campaign of 1809–1811]].<ref name="RG95">Gardiner, p. 95</ref> Freedom of movement for British forces in the East Indies proved invaluable however: on 27 January 1807, Peter Rainier in ''Caroline'' had seized a Spanish ship ''San Raphael'' carrying over half a million [[Spanish dollar]]s and an exceptionally valuable cargo,<ref name="LG6">{{London Gazette|issue=16106|page=38|date=5 January 1808}}</ref> and the ability of British commerce raiders to act against French, Spanish and Dutch merchant shipping in the region was assured. When Pellew's successor Rear-Admiral [[William O'Bryen Drury]] attempted to eliminate the Dutch East Indies islands in a series of large scale invasions during 1810, the [[Invasion of the Spice Islands|Spice Islands were captured]] and in 1811 [[Invasion of Java (1811)|Java was seized]]. British naval movements were completely unopposed, allowing a rapid and successful conclusion to the war in the Pacific.<ref name="RG110">Gardiner, p. 110</ref>

==References==

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Java, campaign of 1806-1807}}

[[Category:Java campaign of 1806–1807| ]]

[[Category:1806 in the Dutch East Indies]]

[[Category:1807 in the Dutch East Indies]]

[[Category:19th century in Java]]

[[Category:Naval battles involving the Netherlands]]

[[Category:Naval battles of the Napoleonic Wars involving the United Kingdom]]

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[[Category:Campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars]]

[[Category:19th-century history of the Royal Navy]]

[[Category:Military history of the Indian Ocean]]