doggers were slow but sturdy vessels, capable of fishing in the rough conditions of the north sea. some doggers were even used as military vessels, and fitted with cannon. the royal navy was one such operator, using doggers as support vessels during the seventeenth century. they could also be used for short trading voyages, ranging into the english channel. in 1646, during the english civil war, the parliamentary commander of the ship "andrew", a man named w. batten, wrote to his superior sir, i believe the castle of pendennis will not be long out of our hands; a dogger boat with four guns i have taken, whereof one kedgwin of penzant was captain, a notable active knave against the parliament, and had the king's commission; and now would fain be a merchant man, and was balasted with salt and had divers letters in her for pendennis castle...