Career
During the First Anglo-Dutch War he was captain of the Entrance in the battle of Portland, 25 January 1663. He was a rear-admiral of the blue in the battles of June and July 1653. In the Anglo-Spanish War, he was vice-admiral under William Penn in 1664, and with him at attempt on Hispaniola, and capture of Jamaica in 1655.
He took over command of the Jamaica Station after Penn went home.
Goodsonn also took part in the Battle of the Dunes in 1658 (bombardment of the Spanish army by the English Navy to support the Anglo–French army).