{{Infobox military conflict |conflict=Battle of Leghorn |partof=the First Anglo-Dutch War | image= Reinier Nooms - De zeeslag bij Livorno.jpg | image_size = 300 |caption=The Battle of Leghorn, 4 March 1653 by Reinier Nooms, painted mid-17th century |date=4 March 1653 |place=near Leghorn, Italy |casus= |territory= |result=Dutch victory |combatant1= Commonwealth of England |combatant2= |commander1=Henry AppletonRichard Badiley |commander2=Johan van Galen |strength1=15 warships |strength2=16 warships |casualties1=2 ships sunk3 ships captured150 dead or injured50 captured |casualties2=Unknown |campaignbox= }} The naval Battle of Leghorn took place on 4 March 1653 (14 March Gregorian calendar), during the First Anglo-Dutch War, near Leghorn (Livorno), Italy. It was a victory of a Dutch squadron under Commodore Johan van Galen over an English squadron under Captain Henry Appleton. Afterwards, another English squadron under Captain Richard Badiley, which Appleton had been trying to join up with, reached the scene in time to observe the capture of the last ships of Appleton's squadron, but was outnumbered and forced to return to Porto Longone. Background In 1652 the government of the Commonwealth of England, mistakenly believing that the United Provinces after their defeat at the Battle of the Kentish Knock would desist from bringing out fleets so late in the season, split their fleet between the Mediterranean and home waters. This division of forces led to a defeat at the Battle of Dungeness in December 1652, and by early 1653 the situation in the Mediterranean was critical too. Appleton's squadron of six ships (including four hired merchantmen) was trapped in Leghorn by a blockading Dutch fleet of 16 ships, while Richard Badiley's of eight (also including four hired merchantmen) was at Elba. The only hope for the English was to combine their forces, but Appleton sailed too soon and engaged with the Dutch before Badiley could come up to help. Three of his ships were captured and two destroyed and only one (Mary), sailing faster than the Dutch ships, escaped to join Badiley. Badiley engaged the Dutch, but was heavily outnumbered and retreated. The battle gave the Dutch command of the Mediterranean, placing the English trade with the Levant at their mercy, but Van Galen was mortally wounded, dying on 13 March. One of the Dutch captains at the battle was son of Lieutenant-Admiral Maarten Tromp, Cornelis Tromp, who was to become a famous admiral himself. Ships involved United Provinces of the Netherlands Johan van GalenVereenigde Provincien/Zeven Provincien (United Provinces/Seven Provinces) 40 (flag)Eendracht