Complex sentence: Dampier sailed on two merchant voyages to Newfoundland and Java before joining the Royal Navy in 1673, taking part in the two battles of Schooneveld in June of that year.
Split into simpler sentences: Dampier sailed on two merchant voyages to Newfoundland and Java before joining the Royal Navy in 1673. He took part in the two battles of Schooneveld in June of that year.