One of the most notorious events in the second English war is certainly De Ruyters expedition to Chatham. On board his fleet was also Cornelis de Witt, as agent of the States-General, De Ruyters fleet sailed to the mouth of the Thames, the Medway to enter the fort and captured Sheerness. The English had a chain across the river stretched them to the floor to prevent drafts, lay behind some large warships.