I received my copy of one of Doeke Roos's books

Yesterday, in the mail, I received the copy of Doeke Roos's book, Zeeuwen en de Westindische Compagnie (1621-1674). It turns out that the copy I received was autographed by Doeke Roos with a blue fountain pen. I can't say that the book had much that I can use, but it is good to have more sources of information, and books that are well documented. The footnotes and bibliography look like they will be useful, which is what I would say about Doeke Roos's latest book, about the Evertsen family, as well.

I have started to fix quote problems (from MS Word)

I had copied and pasted references from a MS Word document. Word had made these into forward and backward quotes, instead of the standard doublequote that HTML browsers can easily render. I just realized the problem this morning, and have a made a small start on fixing the issue.

Additional information about Roger Cuttance

Andrew found additional information about Roger Cuttance. Andrew says that Roger Cuttance played a prominent role in the First Anglo-Dutch War. In 1655, he took part in the expedition to Tunis. He had been Edward Montagu's flag captain at the Restoration, and he continued in that role, after the ship was renamed Royal Charles. He followed him to the Royal James and then to the Royal Prince. From 1662 to 1663, he was a member of the Tangier committee. Tangier had been part of the dowery for Katherine of Braganza, when she married Charles II. In 1665, he was knighted, and then was implicated in the prize goods scandal. He was also a member of the fishery committee. He died in 1669, about the same time as William Penn and Sir Thomas Allin. I have just slightly augmented Andrew's information from what I know from other sources.

English Captain: Roger Cuttance

Roger Cuttance served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. From 1651 to 1652, he commanded the 5th Rate Pearl (24 guns). In August 1652, he fought at the Battle of Plymouth, under Sir George Ayscue. In 1653, he commanded the 4th Rate Sussex (46 guns). In early 1653, he fought at the Battle of Portland. At the Battle of the Gabbard, he was in Samuel Howett's division. He was also likely at the Battle of Scheveningen. From 1654 to 1656, he commanded the 3rd Rate Langport. From 1656 to 1657 and again from 1659 to 1660, he was flag captain, and commanded the 1st Rate Naseby. At the Battle of Lowestoft, he was the Earl of Sandwich's flag captain, and commanded the 1st Rate Royal Prince (86 guns). Because he had been implicated, along with William Penn and the Earl of Sandwich, in the looting of the Indian pize, he was excluded from further command at sea. By then, he had been knighted. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Andrew found more information about Philip Holland

R. C. Anderson's list of captains didn't acknowledge that he had served after 1660, but I noticed his name in Frank Fox's book, A Distant Storm. Andrew found more information about Philip Holland than I had seen. In 1659, he was with Edward Montagu's fleet sent to the Baltic. This fleet was sent, along with a Dutch fleet commanded by Michiel De Ruyter, to force the Swedes to make peace. Peace finally came only with the death of the Swedish king, Charles X, in 1660. In 1660, Philip Holland and his wife were friends with Samuel Pepys and his wife. They lived near Pepys' parents near Bridwell parish. Captain Holland's wife was characaterized as "plain dowdy", rather unkindly, although probably accurately. In the Second Anglo-Dutch War, Philip Holland initially commanded a fireship. According to Frank Fox, he had taken command of the Loyal Merchant (50 guns) in 1666, and in June was fitting out the ship. He took part in the St. James' Day Battle. Sometime after that, he deserted to the Dutch, and took part in the Raid on Chatham in 1667. He was apprehended in 1672, and saved himself by agreeing to spy on the Dutch for the English.

English Captain: Philip Holland

Philip Holland apparently served in both the Commonwealth and the Restoration navies. Technically, his service from 1648 to 1649 was in the Parliamentarian navy, as well. From 1648 to 1650, Philip Holland commanded the hired merchant ship Falcon. In 1651, he probably commanded the Lily for a period. From 1651 to 1652, he commanded the 6th Rate Cygnet (22 guns). He fought at the Battle of the Kentish Knock, in command of the Cygnet. From 1653 to 1659, he commanded the 4th Rate Assurance (36 guns and a crew of 160 men). He fought at the Battle of Portland in early 1653. He was in Thomas Graves' division at the Battle of the Gabbard. Thomas Graves was Rear-Admiral of the White. Philip Holland was wounded at the Battle of Scheveningen, but recovered. He was unusual in commanding the same ship for 6 years, during the Commonwealth. During the Four Days Battle, Philip Holland and the Loyal Merchant were lying in the Thames, fitting out. At the St. James' Day Battle, he commanded the hired merchant ship Loyal Merchant (50 guns). Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
4. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
5. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
6. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

Privateers Bounty: Battle of Solebay

I experimented earlier this evening with the Battle of Lowestoft, and used my standard tactics. The much larger English fleet still overwhelmed the Dutch. So, I thought it would be interesting to try the Battle of Solebay scenario, with my still commanding the Dutch. I used my standard tactics, with a variation. I fought the battle generally from the leeward, rather than from the windward. The way the AI handled the Allies, I was able to keep them at a distance. I was not able to take the time to fight to the finish. I shut the battle down with the Dutch with 87% and the Allies with 86% of their fleet left. I actually found that I could easily wear to the opposite tack, and keep the Allies from closing, while I was generally raking them.

English Captain: Giles Shelley

Giles Shelley served both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1653, he commanded the Dutch prize Waterhound (32 guns and a crew of 120 men). He fought at the Battle of Portland, in early 1653. At the Battle of the Gabbard, he was in Thomas Graves' division. Thomas Graves was Rear-Admiral of the White. He almost certainly fought in the Battle of Scheveningen, as well. He was in the Winter Guard for 1653. From 1654 to 1656, he commanded the 5th Rate Colchester. From 1656 to 1657, he commanded the 4th Rate Guinea. From 1659 to 1660, he commanded the old 4th Rate Providence. He started in the Restoration navy as a lieutenant. In 1664, he was promoted to captain. At the Battle of Lowestoft, in 1665, he commanded the hired merchant ship Royal Exchange (46 guns). He was in Sir John Lawson's division in the Duke of York's squadron. He also took part in the Norway operation with the main fleet. Giles Shelley was the Royal Exchange's captain from 2 September 1664 until 14 December 1665. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, “English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War,” The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
4. Frank Fox, “Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7”, Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
5. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.

English Captain: Thomas Marriot

Thomas Mariott (or Marriot or Marriott) served the Commonwealth navy. I have not been able to confirm that he commanded the Star (20 guns) in 1647. In fact, there seems to be evidence that contradict that. He did command the Discovery (40 guns and a crew of 180 men) from 1651 to 1654. He fought in the Battle of Portland in early 1653. He also fought in the Battle of Scheveningen in August of 1653. In December 1654, the Discovery was lying at Portsmouth, as part of the Winter Guard for 1653. In 1656, he commanded the 2nd Rate Dunbar (64 guns). The Dunbar was renamed Henry in 1660 and had a distinguished career in the Restoration navy. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
3. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "English Ships 1652-1654", 2004.
4. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

English Captain: Thomas Trenchfield

We know that Thomas Trenchfield served in King Charles' navy up until the start of the Civil War. In 1642, he was captain of the 2nd Rate Unicorn (crew 260 men and 769 tons), and served in the Summer Guard for 1642. In 1646, he was a Rear-Admiral in the Parliamentarian navy, and flew his flag on the 2nd Rate Rainbow. There is a note in the House of Commons Journal for 23 February 1646 appointing him as captain of the Rainbow and as Rear-Admiral. His ship was stationed at Chatham. His ship was assigned to the Summer Guard for 1646. He died later in 1646. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. House of Commons Journal, Volume 4, 23 February 1646.
3. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

English Captain: Bartholomew Kitcher (or Ketcher)

In the list of English captains, R. C. Anderson spells the name Bartholomew Ketcher. In an earlier article, R. C. Anderson said that Bartholomew Kitcher probably had fought at the Battle of Scheveningen in the Half Moon (30 guns). Captain Kitcher commanded the Half Moon from 1653 to 1654, and commanded the Great Charity in 1659. Both of these ships were Dutch prizes. The Dutch name for the Half Moon was Halve Maan. The ship had been hired by the Monnikendam Directors. Her Dutch captain was Hendrick Pieterszoon. The ship was captured at the Battle of the Gabbard in June 1653. The Great Charity was an Amsterdam Directors' ship, the Groote Liefde (38 guns), captured at the Battle of Portland in February 1653. Her Dutch captain was Bruijn van Seelst. He commanded the ship from early 1652 until the Battle of Portland. She was was a large ship, 132ft x 29ft x 13.5ft (Amsterdam feet). Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700", 2004.

English Captain: Joseph Ames

Joseph Ames served the Commonwealth navy. In 1653, he commanded the hired merchantman Samuel Talbot (30 guns). At the Battle of the Gabbard, he was in Joseph Jordan's division. Joseph Jordan was Vice-Admiral of the Blue. He also fought at the Battle of Scheveningen. From 1654 to 1660, he commanded the Winsby (50 guns). The Winsby was a 4th Rate that was renamed Happy Return after the Restoration. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. J. J. Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy, 2nd Ed., 1987.
4. Brian Lavery, The Ship of the Line, Vol.I, 1983.

English Captain: Isias Blowfield

Isias Blowfield served in the Commonwealth navy. From 1652 to 1653, he commanded the Lily (12 guns and a crew of 50 men). Early in 1652, Edmund Barrett still commanded the Lily. On 3 September 1653, Isias Blowfield was still in command of the Lily. From 1653 to 1654, he commanded the prize Convert (32 guns and a crew of 120 men). On 17 December 1653, he was in command of the Convert, lying in the Thames. A letter from Robert Blake from 15 October says that "Esias Blowfield" was commander of the Convert. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
3. J. R. Powell, Ed., The Letters of Robert Blake, 1937.

English Captain: John Goulding (or Golding)

John Goulding served the Royalist cause, then in the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. He was serving the Royalist cause in 1648 to 1649. In 1650, he commanded the Royalist ship Black Prince (10 guns). In 1651, he commanded the St. Michael, and deserted to the Commonwealth. The St. Michael had been a Genoese ship, either St. Michael or Archangel Michael. The Royalists captured her in 1651, but she deserted to the Commonwealth, and was renamed Gilliflower (32 guns). He earned Robert Blake's praise for his service in the Commonwealth cause in late 1651. In 1652, he commanded the Hound (36 guns) at the Battle of the Kentish Knock and then the Waterhound (30 guns) at the Battle of Dungeness. In 1653, he sailed as a privateer. He served the Restoration navy as a captain from 1661. He was killed in action on 13 April 1665. In the Restoration list of captains, he is called John Golding. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, “English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War,” The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
4. J. J. Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy, 2nd Ed., 1987.
5. J. R. Powell, Ed., The Letters of Robert Blake, 1937.
6. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.

English Captain: Richard Fogge

Richard Fogge served King Charles' navy and the Royalist naval forces. The first record of Richard Fogge has him as captain of the St. James prize. Apparently, this was one of the French ships captured at Rochelle. In 1633, he commanded the Tenth Whelp. In 1635, he commanded the Antelope. The next year, he commanded the Garland. In 1637, he commanded the Convertine. This was the former Destiny, Sir Walter Raleigh's ship. In 1638, he commanded the Happy Entrance. In 1639, he commanded the 2nd Rate James. From 1640-1641, he was back in command of the Garland. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he commanded the 2nd Rate Victory. From there, he commanded the Constant Reformation, which went over to the Royalists. In 1642, parliament ordered that Richard Fogge, and four other captains be removed from command, when the Earl of Warwick took command of the navy. They were accused of not surrendering their ships to the Earl, when commanded to do so. They were ordered to be arrested. Earlier in the year, parliament had approved of him. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. House of Commons Journal Volume 2 10 March 1642.
3. House of Commons Journal Volume 2 04 July 1642.

English Captain: Edmund Chapman

Edmund Chapman commanded the Recovery (24 guns and a crew of 70 men) in early 1652. On 12 May 1652, he was with Anthony Young off the Start, when they stopped the two Dutch warships convoying 7 Straatsvaarders. Michael Baumber says that they were sent to the Start in hopes of meeting Sir George Ayscue's squadron returning from Barbadoes. They had supplies for them and were to warn them of danger of a Dutch attack. In September, he was with Andrew Ball's squadron on the expedition to the Sound. Later in 1652, he commanded the Entrance (43 guns) at the Battle of Dungeness. Edmund Chapman was one of the four captains disciplined for not fighting hard enough in the battle. In 1653, he commanded the Dutch prize Golden Cock (36 guns) at the Battle of Scheveningen, where he was killed. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, “English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War,” The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.
4. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

The magic of maneuvering a fleet as a unit

At least in the simulated world of sailing naval warfare, there seems to be great benefit of maneuvering a fleet of ships together, as if they were being controlled as a unit. You might assume that this means that the ships would be in a single line formation, but in Privateers Bounty, that is difficult to achieve and maintain. Instead, I'm talking about how Witte de With apparently fought the Battle of the Kentish Knock: in a informal line formation. In an informal line formation, ships are not lined up with bowsprit near the stern light of the next ahead, but all the ships are on the same course. When the fleet needs to change direction, in Privateers Bounty, the only way to go is to wear the ships (turn downwind), rather than to tack (turning into the wind). In Privateers Bounty, when you sail in one direction for a while, fighting to get further to the windward, and then wear and head back in the opposite direction, again trying to gain to the windward, an interesting phenomenon occurs. The fleet will elongate along the axis on which they sail. Some ships are slower, some have taken damage and are slowed. Wearing and heading in the opposite direction (or at least the opposite tack) will tend to bunch the ships. The slower ships will be at the rear, until wearing, at which point they are in the lead, and the faster ships catch up with them. Another key point is to moniter your fleet's contact point with the enemy, and maneuver the fleet to keep some distance between your fleet and the enemy. If the gap gets too large, close towards the enemy fleet. I keep "automatic fire on", as that is the default mode, anyway. Since your opponent is usually the Privateers Bounty AI, your positive control of your fleet can wear your opponent down, if you keep following the plan.

Dutch and English ships in the First Anglo-Dutch War

The Dutch were severely outmatched during the First Anglo-Dutch War. The most potent warship was the Brederode (54 guns), equivalent to an English 3rd Rate. The English had two 1st Rates, something like 9 2nd Rates, and three new 3rd Rates at the start of the war. They also had some old Jacobean and Carolean "middling ships" which were approximately 3rd Rates. They also completed several more 3rd Rates during the war. The English had a large number of new 4th rates, each partially or wholly armed on the lower tier with culverins (18pdr). The Dutch had a hard time fighting the 1st Rates under any circumstances, and could only fight the 2nd Rates with a multiple ships. The biggest ships that the Dutch had were Indiamen, but they were unwieldy and poor sailors. The largest of them, the Prins Willem (44 guns), performed so poorly at the Kentish Knock, that she was turned back over to her owners. the Vogelstruis (40 guns) was a smaller ship, and fought at the Battle of Plymouth and the Battle of Portland, where she was lost. In late 1652, Tromp wanted to build a new fleet of larger ships, but this was vetoed by Amsterdam (against their long-term interests), and two 30-ship groups were proposed to be built. 38 of them would be only 130ft long (Amsterdam feet of 283mm). There was an effort to acquire larger ships during the war. Friesland acquired the Groenewold (132ft long), which apparently was renamed Groningen. They also acquired the Zevenwolden (38 guns), which was lost at the Battle of Scheveningen. The new ship Kameel (42 guns) was lost at the Battle of the Gabbard. Two large Genoese ships were taken over and used during the last months of the war: the Huis te Zwieten (60 guns) and the Huis te Kruiningen (54 guns). They were used by Witte de With and Michiel De Ruyter as their flagships for the remainder of the war.

English Captain: Henry Southwood

Henry Southwood served in the Parliamentarian, Commonwealth, and Restoration navies. We first hear of him in 1646, in command of the Warspite, a small vessel. In 1650, he again was recorded as commanding the Warspite. From 1650 to 1652, he commanded the 6th Rate Greyhound (20 guns). He fought in the first battle of the war, off Dover, in May 1652. In the fall, he was with Andrew Ball's abortive expedition to the Sound, where the Antelope was lost in a storm. He was also with Robert Blake at Dungeness. In 1653, he commanded the Dutch prize Violet (40 guns). Captain Southwood was in Samuel Howett's division at the Battle of the Gabbard. Samuel Howett was Rear-Admiral of the Red. In 1654, he commanded the White Raven. He also seems to have fought at the Battle of Scheveningen. The only mention of him after the Restoration is that he was promoted to captain in 1666. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, “English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War,” The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.

English Captain: "the other" Robert Blake

The less famous Robert Blake served the Commonwealth Navy. He was the nephew of the famous admiral. From 1653 to 1655, he commanded the 4th Rate Hampshire (46 guns). He fought at the Battle of the Gabbard. Michael Baumber says that he "fought with his usual elán and lack of finesse". From 1656 to 1660, he commanded the 3rd Rate Newbury (52 guns). He did not serve after the Restoration. When Robert Blake was dying, his two nephews, Robert and Samuel, accompanied him home. Sources:

1. 1963. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.
3. Brian Lavery, The Ship of the Line, Vol.I, 1983.

English Captain: John Gibbs

John Gibbs only appears to have commanded the Garland (44 guns) from 1651 to 1652. He was replaced by Robert Batten, who was killed at the Battle of Dungeness, where the Garland was taken by the Dutch. Michael Baumber says that Captain Gibbs, along with Charles Thorowgood, of the Worcester, were accused of having gotten to the leeward, before the battle began, and did not provide support to Robert Blake in the ensuing fight. This seems to be the same John Gibbs mentioned by Robert Blake, in a letter from June 1650, as an English captain whose ship had been taken in a Portuguese port. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-At-Sea, 1989.
3. J. R. Powell, Ed., The Letters of Robert Blake, 1937.
4. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

English Captain: Thomas Thompson

Thomas Thompson served the Commonwealth navy. From 1649 to 1652, he commanded the Mayflower. This seems to have been the former Irish Fame captured in 1649. In early 1652, the Mayflower carried 14 guns and had a crew of 60 men. From 1653 to 1654, he commanded the Crow, a French prize captured in 1652. Thomas Thompson, in the Crow fought at the Battles of the Gabbard and Scheveningen. In September 1653, the Crow carried 36 guns and had a crew of 140 men. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
3. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
4. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "English Ships 1652-1654", 2004.
5. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

English Captain: Charles Thorowgood

In 1649, Charles Thorowgood commanded the Guinea frigate. In 1650, he was Blake's flag captain on the George. In March, they were off Portugal, hoping to catch Prince Rupert's squadron. He commanded the small 3rd Rate Worcester from 1651 to 1652. Andrew has information that contradicts what Anderson writes. Charles Thorowgood commanded the Worcester at the Battle off Dover in May 1652. Blake was disatisfied with his performance, and Anthony Young was promoted to the Worcester. That seems to have been the end to his career, although Captain Thorowgood's crew petitioned for his reinstatement. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-At-Sea, 1989.
3. J. R. Powell, Ed., The Letters of Robert Blake, 1937.

English Captain: Michael Packe

Michael Packe served the Commonwealth navy until he was killed in 1652. In 1650, he commanded the Merchant Frigate, a hired merchantman. From 1651 until his death in 1652, he commanded the Amity (36 guns). At the beginning of the First Anglo-Dutch War, he had been with Sir George Ayscue at Barbadoes. Michael Packe had been a Rear-Admiral in Sir George Ayscue's fleet at the Battle of Plymouth. He had a leg injury that caused his leg to be amputated. He died a short time later. Upon his death, his brother Henry Packe was given command of the Amity. This sort of shift, of a relative taking command when a family member died was not unusual in both the English and Dutch navies. Henry Packe commanded the Amity until the Restoration. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. Michael Baumber, General-At-Sea, 1989.
3. J. R. Powell, Ed., The Letters of Robert Blake, 1937.

Privateers Bounty: Battle of Portland scenario

I'm doing more experiments with me commanding the Dutch fleet against the English. I have deliberately set the difficulty to medium. I have been employing what are now my usual tactics: take the weather gauge, don't close with the enemy, maneuver as one group, always wear, not tack. I have to say that I am amazed the the score is 70% for the Dutch and 31% for the English (the surviving force). I have fought some more, and the score is now 48% to 24%. The remaining English fleet has three 2nd Rates and a 3rd Rate, so they are able to punish the Dutch. I have been fighting this as a "fight to the finish", just to see what I can do with the Dutch. What I wasn't able to do was to finish the battle cleanly. When the big English ships are immobilized, you should be able to put ships in position to rake them, with no opportunity for return fire. You would think, then, that you could systematically "take them apart". I did finish off the Rainbow, Vanguard, and Speaker that way. The Triumph has been tougher to finish off. I just expended three ships to no effect. I shut the game down, giving it up as a lost cause. The Dutch did much better than I expected, up until the last part when I got careless while getting ships in raking position. This is just an interlude in my being sick, so I may not be functioning well (I'm sure that I'm not).

Friesland captains

I'm pretty much convinced, finally, that the name Captain Belevelt is probably correct. I had long thought it was a corruption of Bruynsvelt. The trouble is that in this list of ships in Witte de With's squadron, prior to the Battle of the Kentish Knock, there was both captains Belevelt and Bruynsvelt. Eimert Smits, the researcher behind what is at De Sneuper website lists Captain Belevelt separately. He estimates that Captain Belevelt commanded a 24-guns ship with a crew of 80 men. I wonder, though, if he might have commanded the old landsschip, Omlandia (1628), which was still in service.

Dutch Captain: Hendrik Visscher

The first time that we have seen Hendrik Visscher mentioned was as captain of the Jonge Prins (62 guns) in Jan Meppel's division at the St. James's Day Battle. He served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. I just looked through the lists in Brandt and saw that he was with the fleet on 23 June 1672. I had missed that the first time I had examined the lists. He was in Banckert's squadron at the Battle of Solebay, and commanded the Wapen van Medemblik (46 guns). At the Schooneveld battles in 1673, he again commanded the Wapen van Medemblik (now 44 guns). For these battles, he was in De Ruyter's squadron. At the Battle of the Texel, we assigned to Jan de Liefde's division. Hendrik Visscher was killed in this battle. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700", 2004.
3. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
4. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter Zee in 1673 In Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

The 4th Rate Ruby in the Commonwealth Navy

We know that Anthony Houlding commanded the 4th Rate Ruby up until his death at the Battle of Portland. R. C. Anderson lists Robert Saunders as the Ruby's captain at the Battle of the Gabbard. He was in William Penn's division (Admiral of the White) in that battle. He probably was also in command at the Battle of Scheveningen. Edmund Curtis commanded her from sometime later in 1653 through 1654. He is listed as captain in the Winter Guard list for 1653, from December 17, 1653. In a list from September 3, 1653, Robert Saunders was still captain of the Ruby. Robert Kirby commanded her from 1656 until 1660. In between, the Ruby had been in the Mediterranean Sea with Blake, in the war against Spain, but we don't know who was captain. We do know, from Michael Baumber, that in November 1654, Edmund Curtis was still in command. After that date, Blake's letters only refer to the ship, not the captain, so we can't be certain that Edmund Curtis was captain for the rest of the cruise, until Robert Kirby took command in 1656. The expedition to the Mediterranean Sea only ended in 1657, when his fleet returned to Portsmouth. He died right before reaching home.

English Captain: Robert Nixon

Robert Nixon served in the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navies. He first appears in command of the Humber ketch in the Summer Guard for 1647. He was in the Western Guard commanded by Rear-Admiral Richard Owen. In 1648, he commanded the 6th Rate Roebuck (14 guns) in the Summer Guard. From later in 1648 until 1649, he commanded the Hector (22 guns). From 1649 until 1651, he commanded the Fellowship (28 guns). In 1653, he commanded the 4th Rate Adventure. He definitely was with William Penn's squadron on March 30, 1653, in command of the Adventure (42 guns and a crew of 170 men). He also seems to have commanded the Adventure at the Battle of Portland, before that date. At the Battle of the Gabbard, he was in James Peacock's Division (Vice-Admiral of the Red). He was still in command of the Adventure at the Battle of Scheveningen, and on September 3, 1653. From late 1653 until 1655, he commanded the Centurion (42guns). In 1655, Robert Nixon was still in command of the Centurion, in the Mediterranean Sea, with Robert Blake's squadron. From 1656 until 1659, he commanded the 3rd Rate Worcester (50 guns). He seems to have not served in the Restoration navy. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Flet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror Vol.XXIV, No.4, 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men of War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 2nd Edition, 1966.
4. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.VI, 1930.
5. J. R. Powell, Ed., The Letters of Robert Blake, 1937.
6. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

English Captain: Charles Saltonstall

Charles Saltonstall served in the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navies. In1648, he commanded the 5th Rate Hind in the Summer Guard. In 1650, he commanded the John, a 28-gun vessel purchased in 1646. On November 22, 1650, he was in company with Richard Badiley's squadron in Cartagena Bay. By 1652, he commanded the Lion. At the Battle of Dungeness, Robert Blake accused Charles Saltonstall of not closing with the Dutch and fighting. Michael Baumber, in General-At-Sea, says that all Charles Saltsonstall did was to think for them selves, which did not suit Robert Blake. Their ships were in poor repair, and you could argue that Robert Blake was violating orders in attacking the Dutch, who were present in overwhelming numbers. That did not matter, as at first Charles Saltonstall was removed from command and imprisoned, although he was later set free. The result was that he never again commanded a navy ship at sea. Sources:

1. R.C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. R.C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700, Part I English Ships 1649-1702, Second Edition, 1966.
3. Michael Baumber, General-At-Sea: Robert Blake and the Seventeenth Century Revolution in Naval Warfare, 1989.
4. J.R. Powell, Ed., The Letters of Robert Blake, 1937.
5. J.R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

English Captain: William Brandley

William Brandley served in both the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navies. From 1646 to 1647, he commanded the Mary galliot. He first appeared as part of the Winter Guard in 1646. From 1647 to 1648, he commanded the Tenth Whelp. He was assigned to the Winter Guard in 1647 and the Summer and Winter Guard in 1648. In 1649, he commanded the Dutch prize Satisfaction. In May, he was ordered to sail to the Sussex coast, to provide protection to fishing in that area. In 1650, he commanded the 4th Rate Phoenix. From 1651 to 1652, he commanded the 4th Rate Portsmouth (36 guns). He fought at Dover on May 29, 1652 (New Style). He was with Robert Blake's squadron in Rye Bay, before the battle. On September 28, 1652, he fought at the Battle of the Kentish Knock. The Portsmouth carried 38 guns, by then. In 1653, he commanded the 3rd Rate Essex (46 guns and a crew of 250 men) at the Battle of the Gabbard and at Scheveningen. At the Gabbard, William Brandley was Robert Blake's flag captain in the Essex, where she carried 48 guns. The Essex was Blake's flagship for his squadron which joined late in the battle. Sources:

1. R.C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
3. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.VI, 1930.
4. J.R. Powell, ed., The Letters of Robert Blake, 1937.
5. J.R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

Some notes from Andrew

Andrew notes that Walter Wood commanded the Guinea frigate (34 guns, 150 men) in June 1649. He also writes that it is correct that the elder Robert Moulton died in September 1652. He had been a navy commissioner at Portsmouth in 1651. Captain Willoughby was appointed to replace him. If you are not familiar, yet, with the House of Commons journal online, you should investigate what is there. The journal is on the British History Online website.

English Captain: Walter Wood

Walter Wood served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. From 1650 to 1651, he commanded the Guinea frigate (34 guns). In 1653, he commanded the 4th Rate Centurion, until he was dismissed. He fought at the Battle of Portland, in February 1653. On 30 March 1653, he sailed from Portsmouth with the ships commanded by William Penn. At the Battle of the Gabbard, Walter Wood was in the Lionel Lane's (Vice-Admiral of the White) division. R. C. Anderson notes that he was dismissed, but I have not been able to find the details in The First Dutch War. We only know for certain that by December 1653, Robert Nixon commanded the Centurion. Prior to that, the Centurion had poor masts, was in need of careening, and other repairs. After the Restoration, Walter Wood was employed. He commanded the 3rd Rate Henrietta (58 guns) in Prince Rupert's division at the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665. Walter Wood again commanded the Henrietta at the Four Days' Battle. He was still in Prince Rupert's division. Walter Wood was one of the English captains killed in the battle. A total of 25 captains were killed, wounded, or captured. Sources:

1. R.C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
3. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
4. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.VI, 1930.
5. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

English Captain: John Mildmay

John Mildmay was serving in the Parliamentarian Navy as early as 1643, when he commanded the Revenge (4 guns and a crew of 12 men). From 1644 to 1645, he commanded the Maria pinnace. In the Summer Guard list for 1644, this may be one of the "six small pinnaces with six guns apiece" mentioned, but not named. From later ini 1645 until 1647, he commanded the Kentish, a 6th Rate, said to be a purchased armed merchantman. In 1647, he commanded the Peter and then the Providence. The Peter was a 6th Rate (10 guns and 120 tons) serving in the Western Guard in the summer of 1647. With the Winter Guard, John Mildmay commanded the 4th Rate Providence, which served in the Irish Squadron. During the summer, in 1648, he still commanded the Providence in the Summer Guard. There is a mention that he might have commanded the 6th Rate Roebuck sometime in 1648, as well. During the summer, Robert Nixon commanded the Roebuck. From 1649 until 1652, John Mildmay commanded the 4th Rate Nonsuch. In early May 1649, he took an Irish ship leaving Ostend bound for Ireland with 240 men and three guns. At the Battle of the Kentish Knock, he took a Dutch warship, presumably the Maria (30 guns and a crew of 100 men), commanded by Claes Sael. Michael Baumber says that the prize was Sipke Fockes' ship, which would have been the Sint Maria (28 guns and a crew of 100 men), but we know that she survived at that the only prize was the Maria. Another vessel, the Burgh van Alkmaar, was sunk. From later in 1652 until 1653, he was flag captain on the 2nd Rate Vanguard. At the Battle of Dungeness, John Mildmay distinguished himself while aiding Blake's flagship's escape from the Dutch. In a council of war in December 1652, he was one of the signatories to a letter that asked the Council of State to better man and equip the fleet. At the Battle of Portland in mid-February 1653, John Mildmay distinguished himself as George Monck's flag captain on the Vanguard, but was killed in action. Monck was Admiral of the White at Portland. Sources:

1. R.C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700, Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 2nd Ed., 1966.
2. R.C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. Michael Baumber, General-At-Sea: Robert Blake and the Seventeenth Century Revolution in Naval Warfare, 1989.
4. J.C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Battle of Portland: 28 February 1653 to 2 March 1653", 2003.
5. J.C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700", 2004.
6. J.J. College, Ships of the Royal Navy, 2nd Ed., 1987.
7. J.R. Powell, ed., The Letters of Robert Blake, 1937.
8. J.R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

English Captain: John Coppin

John Coppin served in the navy both before and after the Restoration. Andrew points out that John Coppin was born on 24 May 1607. In 1644, he commanded the hired merchantship Elizabeth and Anne. From 1645 to 1649, he commanded the 6th Rate Greyhound. In 1650-1651, he commanded the Amity. From 1651 to 1652, he commanded the Entrance. In 1652, he commanded the 3rd Rate Speaker. He lost a leg, apparently at the Battle of the Kentish Knock, and by the end of the year had to concede that he could serve no longer, until he healed. He was back at sea by 1656, and commanded the Langport (renamed Henrietta at the Restoration) at least until the Restoration. Captain Coppin seems to have not been at the Battle of Lowestoft, but a the Four Days Battle, he commanded the 2nd Rate St. George (66 guns) in the Blue Squadron. In the battle, the St. George had 17 killed and 23 wounded. John Coppin was among those killed. The references used are:

• R. C. Anderson, A List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660
• Frank L. Fox, A Distant Storm: The Four Days' Battle of 1666

Back to Privateers Bounty: Battle of the Kentish Knock

I was showing my son Privateers Bounty, running my Battle of the Kentish Knock scenario (which is available at AngloDutchWarsBlog.com). I commanded the English fleet, and had the difficulty set at Medium. At the beginning of the battle, I selected all the English ships, even scattered as they were, and grouped them. then I set the formation to the "custom" formation, where they stay together but in no particular order. Then I steered them with the helm. I took them to the southeast, to gain some searoom. The English are set up to have the weather gauge, but start the battle in poor order. I followed my rule that I never tack, but always wear (except when I lost control because of the helm following the mouse when I moved off of the helm). I sailed back and forth, to the windward, and systematically wrote off the Dutch fleet. By the eveing, the English had 83% of their fleet left, and the last Dutch ship had surrendered (the East Indiaman Prins Willem). This was perhaps the most one-sided battle that I have fought with Privateers Bounty. I can only guess that the factors included the mismatch between the numerous, large English ships and the generally small Dutch ships present. Another important factor is keeping the fleet grouped and only manuevering as a group. While doing that, I kept the Dutch ships from being able to close, until they were worn down badly. I only closed with the Dutch to finish off stragglers. The third English squadron never was able to close until I was able to sail more to the northwest, across the remnants of the Dutch fleet, before I wore the fleet and sailed back to the southeast.

Dutch and English captains postings

On my agenda is collecting my posting about Dutch and English captains and admirals from here, and Anglo-Dutch Wars blog, and having them added to KentishKnock.com, where I already have my previous entries. I have a working document for Dutch captains in the period of 1628-1700 that will some day be published. I believe that it is on the order of 84 pages, as it currently stands. What is there right now is more in the nature of notes rather than paraphrased text, unlike what I have posted. Certainly, J.C. Mollema's "Honor Roll" is the basis of some of what I have written (my translation and editing of what he wrote). I seem to have access to more than Mollema used, so I have been able to expand and to supplement what he wrote. He also omitted many captains that I have covered. He omitted more than he included, I would guess. He also seems to have relied heavily on Brandt's biography of De Ruyter: Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter.

Dutch Captain: Cornelis Tijloos

Cornelis Tijloos lived from about 1650 to 1680. Like many in the 17th Century, his life was short. Usually, that was due to disease, although it is unclear in his case. Brandt first mentions Captain Tijloos in the May 1672 list. We know that he participated in the Battle of Solebay, where his ship had one man killed and one severely wounded. He next appears in May 1673, now in command of the Geloof (56 guns and a crew of 229 sailors and 51 soldiers), prior to the Schooneveld battles. He also fought in the Battle of the Texel in August 1673, still commanding the Geloof (now with a crew of 209 sailors and 20 soldiers). In July 1675, he commanded the Wakende Boei (46 guns and a crew of 200 men), in De Ruyter's fleet, headed for the Mediterranean Sea. He is next mentioned on 6 September 1675 under the command of Jacob Teding Berkhout and with a snauw and fireship. In January 1676, he was in Vice-Admiral De Haan's squadron. On 22April 1676, he was again in Vice-Admiral De Haan's squadron at Etna, where De Ruyter was mortally wounded. Gerard Callenburgh was De Ruyter's flag captain on the Eendracht (76 guns), and he temporarily assumed command. On 28 May 1676, Cornelis Tijloos was in Vice-Admiral Callenburgh's squadron near Palermo. Now Lt.-Admiral De Haan had secured Callenburgh the rank of temporary Vice-Admiral. On 1 June, in a battle at Palermo, De Haan was killed and Gerard Callenburgh again temporarily assumed command of the fleet, now with only 14 ships. I have no reference to Cornelis Tijloos after the 28 May date.

English captains killed at Scheveningen

Having just written about Owen Cox, and the mistaken report of his death at Scheveningen, we shall turn to the known list of captains who are known to have been killed in the battle. The only source that I have that has specifics is The First Dutch War, Vol.V. Page 173 lists the English casualties. That source estimates the total casualties, killed and wounded in the battle, were somewhere between 1,000 and 1,200. That seems low, as the total wounded seems to have been around 1,200. The number of those killed seems to have been around 600. Of the captains and admirals, 8 were killed at either the Gabbard or at Scheveningen. They include William Graves, Rear-Admiral of the White, in the Andrew (60 guns) (at Scheveningen); Edmund Chapman, captain of the Golden Cock (36 guns) (at Scheveningen); John Taylor, captain of the William (the least well-known of the two John Taylors who commanded ships) (at Scheveningen); James Peacock, Vice-Admiral of the Red, in the Triumph (60 guns) (at Scheveningen); Thomas Salmon, captain of the Gift (34 guns) (Scheveningen); William Newman, captain of the Mayflower (34 guns) (Scheveningen); Roger Crispe, said to be captain of the Prosperous (42 guns) (Scheveningen), but R.C. Anderson omits him from his list of captains (The First Dutch War seems to support this name, however); and John Vesey, captain of the Martin (14 guns) (killed in an action against Dutch frigates on 19 June, near Vlieland. This list of captains comes from the House of Commons Journal, Volume 7, October 28, 1653.

What R. C. Anderson said about Owen Cox

R. C. Anderson's article "The First Dutch War in the Mediterranean" tells more details about Owen Cox. First, the reason that the Duke of Tuscany was angry at the English was that Henry Appleton, the squadron commander, had allowed Cox to take a small French merchant ship quite close to Livorno. Cox had been sent to Genoa to careen the Constant Warwick, and when he arrived back, Appleton dispatched him to watch Van Galen. Appleton feared that Van Galen would intercept Richard Badiley's squadron and defeat him. This was a prelude to the Battle of Monte Cristo, which the English lost. Prior to the battle, the Dutch had seen Cox, in the Constant Warwick, scouting ahead of Appleton's squadron. Cox acquitted himself well in the battle, and was praised by Badiley. It was at Monte Cristo that the Phoenix was captured by the Dutch. After the battle, Cox was temporarily given command of the Bonaventure, after her captain had died. Cox wanted to retake the Phoenix, but Appleton would not allow him to try. Badiley approved of the attack, and on a day when Cornelis Tromp was hosting a party on board the Phoenix, the English struck in an attack with armed men three boats. They succeeded in taking the Phoenix, and Cornelis Tromp, after resisting, escaped by jumping through a stern window. The Phoenix, under Cox's command, arrived in Naples on November 30th, 1652 (Old Style). On January 24th, 1653, Cox in the Phoenix, in company with the Harry Bonaventure, fought an action against two Dutch warships convoying 4 merchantmen. The Phoenix was heavily damaged, and Cox had to take time to make repairs. When Appleton's squadron eventually left Livorno on March 4, 1653 (Old Style), a battle was fought between the two fleets. Appleton was defeated and Badiley never seriously closed with the Dutch. In the fighting, Van Galen was fatally wounded. Cox was present in the Phoenix, as part of Badiley's squadron. The English were ordered to withdraw from the Mediterranean, and arrived back in the England in time for the three surviving frigates to fight in the Battle of Scheveningen. Possibly, the reason that Badiley's Paragon did not take part was that the crew was mutinous.

More about Owen Cox, English captain

Although Owen Cox was reported to have been killed at Scheveningen, as reported by Whitelock in his Memorials, that was incorrect. Page 373 of The First Dutch War, Vol.V, has the letter saying he was killed. The note on Page 390 corrects the record. Pages 95 and 96 of R. C. Anderson's book Naval Wars in the Baltic apparently notes the continued career of Owen Cox. A squadron was sent out from Landskrona on July 6th, 1659, under the command of "Major Coxe" to the Little Belt, arriving on the 20th. The Swedes defeated the combined Danish-Dutch squadron. This was where the Dutch Monnikendam (32 guns) was lost. After the battle, Coxe burnt 30 tranports at Aarhuus.

English Captain: Owen Cox

Owen Cox was an energetic and competent captain who served the navy of Cromwell. From 1645 to 1646, he commanded the Royalist. From 1648 to 1650, he commanded the Phoenix. From 1648 to 1650, he commanded the Recovery (28 guns). Then from 1651 to 1652, he commanded the Constant Warwick (32 guns). He operated in the Mediterranean until the English were beaten and driven from the Mediterranean Sea after the Battle of Livorno (14 March 1653). During 1652-1653, the biggest diplomatic issue for both the Dutch and English was relations with the neutral Duchy of Tuscany, as Livorno was Tuscan. The Constant Warwick was in Henry Appleton’s squadron. Cox had created a diplomatic incident by taking a French ship outside the port. The Duke of Tuscany objected, and commanded that the French ship be released. When the Constant Warwick left for Genoa to careen, only two ships were left in the port under Appleton’s command (the Leopard was Appleton’s flagship).

Owen Cox was temporarily in command of the Bonaventure (44 guns) for a short period. During the Battle of Monte Christo (or Elba), the frigate Phoenix ended up in Dutch hands, after some peculiar circumstances. After the Phoenix was recovered from the Dutch, he commanded her until his death at the Battle of Scheveningen, in August 1653. The recapture of the Phoenix created another diplomatic problem, as they took her in Livorno by a boat attack. Cox's death at Scheveningen terminated a promising career, which might have continued after the Restoration. There is some indication that this is wrong and that he was an officer in the Swedish navy during 1658-1659, but I am not able to verify this.

Dutch Captain: Jacob Teding van Berkhout

Jacob Teding van Berkhout served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. We first know of him in 1671, when he commanded the Harderwijk (44 guns and a crew of 180 sailors and 40 soldiers) in Lt.-Admiral Van Ghent's squadron with the fleet. By May of 1672, he commanded the Akerboom (60 guns and a crew of 230 sailors and 50 soldiers), again in Van Ghent's squadron. He commanded the Akerboom at least through the Schooneveld battles in 1673. From analysis, it is apparent that he was the Battle of the Texel in August 1673, not Adriaan Teding van Berkhout, who served the Noorderkwartier. The next time he is mentioned in "Brandt", he was in command of the Oosterwijk (60 guns and a crew of 270 men), in July 1675. He was under the command of De Ruyter, destined for the Mediterranean Sea. In January 1676, Captain Teding van Berkhout was assigned to the Third Squadron, under Schout-bij-Nacht Nicolaes Verschuur. He was also present on 22 April 1676, with the fleet, at Etna. On 28 May 1676, he was under Vice-Admiral Callenburgh at Palermo. "Brandt" is useless, after De Ruyter was killed.

What we need

What we need are some high-quality 3D models of ships from the Anglo-Dutch Wars for use in games and illustrations. How cool would it be to have a model of the Brederode? The main issue is the effort involved, as well as having an appropriate tool. Since there is a paucity of van de Velde drawings for the First Anglo-Dutch War, it will be harder to give really accurate drawings, but we have some generic ships from some of the panoramic battle scenes, such as Livorno and Scheveningen. I'm seriously considering using Rhino 3D, as I have had a recommendation that it is good and really impressive models have been done with it, and academic licenses for it are more reasonable than those for 3D Studio Max, although 3DS Max is the top of the line tool.

Dutch Captain: Pieter Corneliszoon de Sitter

Pieter Corneliszoon de Sitter served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He first appears in Brandt's biography of De Ruyter in May 1667. He commanded the Amsterdam ship Jaarsveld (46 guns and a crew of 175 sailors and 30 soldiers). He was assigned to De Ruyter's squadron in the fleet. In June 1667, he was in the Thames, near Rochester, under Vice-Admiral Star. On 15 July 1667, he was in Lt.-Admiral van Nes's squadron. By May 1672, Captain de Sitter commanded the Agatha (50 guns). He was assigned to De Ruyter's squadron. He was at the Battle of Solebay, and his ship suffered 13 killed, 17 severely wounded, and 18 lightly wounded. He was also present for the Schooneveld battles in 1673, in the Van squadron under Banckert. At Schooneveld, the Agatha had a crew of 198 sailors and 47 soldiers. In August 1673, he was in Cornelis Tromp's squadron at the Battle of the Texel. In that battle, the Agatha had a crew of 180 sailors and 23 soldiers. In June 1674, Captain de Sitter commanded the Beschermer (50 guns and a crew of 188 sailors and 91 soldiers) on the expedition to Martinique. In July 1675, he was with De Ruyter, bound for the Mediterranean Sea. Captain de Bitter commanded the Zuiderhuis (46 guns and a crew of about 200 men). He was there for the battles in 1676, but I do not know his fate. He may have been killed at Palermo on 2 June 1676 (Andrew thinks that this may be the case). In any case, he died sometime in 1676. Many of the captains in De Ruyter's fleet were killed, as things went very badly for them, especially after De Ruyter's death.

Joost Bulter and the Friese ship Kameel

The only thing about Joost Bulter and his ship that I am certain is that his ship was sunk at the Battle of the Gabbard and he drowned. As for the rest, there are varying degrees of uncertainty. The First Dutch War narrative seems to indicate that his ship is the "Town and County" (Stad en Lande). More likely, his ship was a Directors ship funded by Groningen (sometimes referred to as the Stad en Lande). We know that one of the 50 Directors ships was provided by Groningen. This would seem to be the ship. The ship in question is called the Kameel in several places, including by Dr. Elias in "Schetsen". In describing the Dutch losses at the Battle of the Gabbard, he says that the Kameel was a Friesland Admiralty ship. Another source, the handwritten document of "Ships at Vlissingen" from July 1653, also indicates that the ship was a Friesland Admiralty ship. Finally, "De Sneuper" says that the Kameel was a Groningen Directors ship ("directieschip"). She took five shots below the waterline and sank. The Kameel had been a new ship with 42 guns.

Dutch Captain: Jan Davidszoon Bondt

This is based on my translation of the entry in Mollema's "Honor Roll" supplemented by other material:

Jan Davidszoon Bondt lived until 5 February 1677. He served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1665, he was a volunteer under De Ruyter. In 1666, he commanded the Klein Harder (34 guns) in the Four Days and St. James's Day Battles. Afterwards, he became a fireship commander. In 1667, he was commander of 5 frigates taken by 11 English ships. In 1672/1673, He commanded the Stad Utrecht (66 guns) at Solebay, Schooneveld, and the Battle of the Texel. In 1675, he served under Benckes in the Sound. In 1676, he captured several Dunkirkers and the served under Benckes in the West Indies (Tabago). Because he left Tabago without authorization in 1676, he was beheaded in Amsterdam in February 1677.

I need to work more on getting a better translation from Brandt about Willem van Bergen

I'm not content with my quick translation, this morning, of passages from "Brandt" about Willem van Bergen. I have a couple of new "weapons" to deploy in the battle. They are the World Lingo online text translator and the Logos Multi-lingual E-Translation Portal. Part of the problem is the archaic Dutch and spellings used in "Brandt", which all the modern translation software won't help.

Dutch Captain: Willem van Bergen

All that I know about the Dutch captain Willem van Bergen is from Brandt's biography of De Ruyter (published in 1687). In August 1665, he commanded the small frigate Popkensburg (22 guns and a crew of 110 men). In September, the Wapen van Leiden, commanded by Barent Hals, and the Popkensburg were roaming, away from the fleet at Texel. Earlier, in June 1657, Willem van Bergen was said to have been found by the French at Livorno (Leghorn). In July, De Ruyter boarded his ship and spoke with him.

The Zeekalf in 1636-1637

Dr. Graefe says that the Zeekalf carried 4-brass and 24 iron guns in 1636. I'm sure that she is the same ship that Cornelis Engelen Silvergieter had commanded in 1628-1629. Dr. Graefe gives her size as 200 lasts, but the earlier listing gave her size as 170 lasts. She is listed as having been built in 1622, which is almost the same as the "Staet van Oorlog te Water" for 1628 and 1629 gave as her build date (1623). In 1636, her crew was 90 sailors and 20 soldiers. Her captain was Sybert Vijgh.

Dutch Captain: Michiel Franszoon van den Bergh

Captain Michiel Franszoon van den Bergh served the Admiralty of Rotterdam. In early 1652, he commanded the Rotterdam ship Gelderland (40 guns) in the Mediterranean Sea. He spent most of the First Anglo-Dutch War in the Mediterranean Sea, but did not participate in the big battles. His ship had been built in 1634 and was one of the ships that were 250 lasts. The dimensions in Amsterdam feet were about 128.5ft x 30.5ft x 13.5ft. I say "about", as these are converted from Maas feet. His ship had been commissioned in 1651, apparently as one of the 36 cruisers that were activated in preparation for possible war with England. Captain van den Bergh returned from the Mediterranean with ships commanded by Cornelis Tromp in early November 1653. In 1656, he took part in the operation to blockade Danzig, under the command of Lt.-Admiral van Wassenaer. In this operation, Captain van den Bergh commanded the fairly new ship Prins Maurits (built in 1653). This ship was about 300 lasts (134ft x 33ft x 13.5ft) and carried 42 guns.

Cornelis Engelen Silvergieter at the Battle of the Downs in 1639

At the Battle of the Downs, Cornelis Engelen Silvergieter was in Tromp's squadron, destined to attack Don Antonio Oquendo's squadron. He had been with the fleet during the campaign. Tromp's journal refers to him as "Cornelis Engelen", but it is clearly Cornelis Engelen Silvergieter. The earliest date that I have seen a reference to him is April 1628, when he was convoying merchantmen off the coast of France (Dr. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, p.32). We know from other sources that his ship was the Zeekalf (23 guns).

What happened to the Maecht van Dordrecht?

I have been curious as to the fate of Witte de With's great flagship, the Maecht van Dordrecht. During the campaign that lead to the Battle of the Downs, the Maecht van Dordrecht carried 42 guns and had a crew of 140 men. I am actually surprised at such a small crew, as I believe that the ship's dimensions were 132ft x 32ft (in 308mm Maas feet). If the ship were that size in Amsterdam feet, the crew would make sense. However, thanks to De Jonge, we know that she carried a heavy armament rivaling that carried by Tromp's Aemilia. We also know that Witte de With's flagship from 1645 until he returned from Brazil was the Brederode. By 1645, he no longer used the Maecht van Dordrecht as his flagship. The ship had been built for him and was in service by about 1636. Dr. Elias' book De Vlootbouw in Nederland has the details. An appendix to Vol.I of Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, as I have written previously, the armament was 10-24pdr, 14-18pdr, 16-12pdr, and 6-6pdr. She had a complete lower tier of 24pdr and 18pdr guns. For now, her fate is a mystery to me, but I would interested to know what it was.

Dutch Captain: Leendert Haecxwant

Captain Leendert Haexwant's last name is spelled differently in many places. J.C. Mollema spells it "Haecxwant". Hendrick De Raedt's pamphlet from 1652 spells his name as "Haickwandt". I have also seen it spelled as "Haagswant", as the "Staet van Oorlog te water" for 1654 lists his name. In any case, he lived until August 1678. He served the Admiralty of Rotterdam (the Maze). He was a captain as early as 1628 and a Schout-bij-Nacht in 1664.

Mollema has a substantial paragraph about Leendert Haexwant, which I have augmented. In 1627, Leendert Haexwant served as a lieutenant against the Dunkirkers. In 1628, he was a convoy commander. We know that in 1629, he commanded the Vergulden Arent (20 guns and a crew of 75 men). The Vergulden Arent was a ship of 120 lasts. I estimate that a ship of 120 lasts would have dimensions approximately 102ft x 25ft x 9ft-4in. In 1636, he fought against the Dunkirkers. In 1643, he captured two Dunkirkers. we know that he participated in Tromp's expedition to the Shetlands in July and August 1652. During the First Anglo-Dutch War, he commanded the small Rotterdam frigate Utrecht (22 guns and a crew of 90 men). In 1652, he served under Tromp in the Battle of Dungeness, and then was a convoy commander. In 1656, he commanded the Utrecht (42 guns and a crew of 155 men) under Van Wassenaer in the Sound. In 1658, he commanded the Hollandia (64 guns) under Van Wassenaer in the Sound. In 1664, he served under De Ruyter in the Mediterranean Sea and the West Indies as a Schout-bij-Nacht. He commanded the Rotterdam (34 guns and a crew of 123 men). 1665, he asked to leave the service due to illness and his age.

The Four Days Battle and Privateers Bounty

The Four Days Battle is a natural candidate for simulation in Privateers Bounty. The main reason is that we have good OOB's and pretty complete specifications for the ships (except for the English hired ships and Friesland warship armaments). Obviously, the OOB's would need to be scaled to fit into what can be done in Privateers Bounty. The main problems are that the fleets would be unlikely to last for four days, if the solo player were at all aggressive. The other issue would be how to have Prince Rupert's squadron arrive on the fourth day. My theory is that we could expand the playing field to an extreme size and place Prince Rupert's squadron in a far corner. The wind has to be strong to emulate the real situation, so that is likely to hasten Prince Rupert's arrival on the scene.

Blake's squadron at the Gabbard

The Letters of Robert Blake, on page 216, has the list of ships that were in Blake's squadron at the Battle of the Gabbard. They arrived late and provided a convenient reinforcement that turned the battle into a rout:

• Essex, 48 guns
• Hampshire, 40 guns
• William (M), 40 guns (est.)
• Eagle (M), 22 guns (est.)
• Culpepper (M), 30 guns
• Phoenix (M), 34 guns
• Stork (D), 36 guns
• Hopeful Luke (M), 34 guns
• Employment (M), 34 guns (est.)
• Prosperous (M), 42 guns
• John and Abigail (M), 32 guns (est.)
• Swan, 22 guns
• Tenth Whelp, 20 guns

Key:

• (M) = Hired merchantman
• (D) = Dutch prize
• (est.)=estimate

De Ruyter's fleet in 1676

This is Lt-Admiral Michiel De Ruyter's fleet, circa 22 April1676:

First Squadron:

• Spiegel, 70 guns Gilles Schey Amsterdam
• Groenwijf, 36 guns Jan Noirot Amsterdam
• Leiden, 36 guns Jan van Abkoude
• Leeuwen, 50 guns Frans Willem, Graaf van Stierum
• Eendracht, 76 guns Lt-Admiral Michiel de Ruyter Rotterdam
• Stad en Lande, 54 guns Joris Andringa Amsterdam
• Zuiderhuis, 46 guns Pieter Corneliszoon de Sitter Amsterdam
• Damiaten, 34 guns Isaak Uitterwijk Amsterdam
• Oosterwijk, 60 guns Jacob Teding van Berkhout Amsterdam
• Tonijn snauw, 8 guns Philips Melkenbeeke Amsterdam
• Kreest snauw, 8 guns Wijbrant Barentszoon Amsterdam
• Ter Goes snauw, 8 guns Abraham Wilmerdonk Zeeland
• Salm fireship, 4 guns Jan van Kampen
• Melkmeijse fireship, 4 guns Arent Ruyghaver
• Zwarte Tas supply ship, 4 guns Jacob Stadtlander

Second Squadron:

• Steenbergen, 68 guns Schout-bij-Nacht Pieter van Middelland Amsterdam
• Wakende Boei, 46 guns Cornelis Tijloos Amsterdam
• Edam, 34 guns Cornelis van der Zaan Amsterdam
• Kraanvogel, 46 guns Jacob Willemszoon Broeder Amsterdam
• Gouda, 76 guns Vice-Admiral Jan de Haan
• Provincie van Utrecht, 60 guns Jan de Jong Amsterdam
• Vrijheid, 50 guns Adam van Brederode Amsterdam
• Harderwijk, 46 guns Mattheeus Megank Amsterdam
• Prinsen Wapen snauw, 8 guns Hendrik Wallop Amsterdam
• Rouaan snauw, 8 guns Willem Knijf Rotterdam
• Roos snauw, 8 guns Juriaan Baak Amsterdam
• Sint Salvador fireship, 6 guns Jan Janszoon Bout
• Jakob en Anna fireship, 4 guns Dirk Klaaszoon Harney
• supply ship Adriaan van Esch

The English 3rd Rate Antelope built in 1651

The English 3rd Rate Antelope, built in 1651 at Woolwich, has interested me for a long time. She was big: 828 tons burden. Her dimensions were 120ft x 36ft x 16ft. I estimate her length on the gundeck to have been 150ft. The Commonwealth 3rd Rates had more rake than the 4th Rates. We really know very little about her. We think that she carried 56 guns in 1652, before she was wrecked in a storm off of Denmark. I would guess that she carried demi-cannons (32pdr) on her lower tier. I believe that she was big enough to have had an upper tier of culverins (18pdr). I would guess that she had demi-culverins for the rest (on her quarterdeck). There is a possibility that she had mixed guns on each tier, with only a partial set of demi-cannon on the lower tier, with the rest being culverins and only a partial tier of culverins on the upper tier, with the balance being demi-culverins. We lack good information from this period from the published sources. Frank Fox says that the records probably exist. The problem is that the records are in a jumble, and no one has been ready to take the time to find them. Certainly, there is no funding for such an effort.

The Prinses Louise over-armed with 46 guns

Dr. Elias reported that in late 1652, the Prinses Louise was armed (or over-armed) with as many as 46 guns. I have seen the drawing of the ship, and 36 guns uses up all the obvious space. The Prinses Louise was a relatively small ship at 120ft x 28ft-4in x 12ft-6in. With 46 guns, the waist must have been armed, so that guns were firing over the rails, rather than from ports. Perhaps several more guns could have been crowded onto the quarterdeck and ports opened. Even with 36 guns, the Prinses Louise was heavily armed, as she had 2-24pdr, 30-12pdr, and 4-5pdr guns.

Dutch captain: Gillis Janszoon

Gillis Janszoon lived until June 1659. He was from Veere. He served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He was a captain in 1636 and Schout-bij-Nacht in 1657. In 1639, he fought under Tromp at the Battle of the Downs.

From the beginning of the First Anglo-Dutch War, Gillis Janszoon commanded a ship with 28 guns and a crew of 100 men. This was likely the Zeeridder, a 116ft ship. In July and August 1652, he was with Tromp's fleet in the voyage to the Shetlands, where the fleet was battered by a storm. Gillis Janszoon fought under Witte de With at the Battle of the Kentish Knock. At the Battle of Dungeness, he was in Jan Evertsen's squadron. In 1653, he fought at the Battle of Portland, the Battle of the Gabbard, and the Battle of Scheveningen. In July 1654, he was still in command of the Zeeridder.

In 1657, he served under Van Wassenaer on the Portuguese coast. In 1658, he commanded the Windhond (23 guns and a crew of 67 sailors and 25 soldiers) under Van Wassenaer at the Battle of the Sound. He died in 1659, while in the Sound.

Sources:

Mollema's "Honor Roll"

James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Captains".

James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700"

"Staet van Oorlog te Water" for 1654

G.L. Grove, Journalen van de Admiralen Van Wassenaer-Obdam (1658/59) en De Ruyter (1659/60)

Dr. S.R. Gardiner, The First Dutch War, Vol.II

Dutch Captain: Dingeman Cats

Dingeman Cats served the Admiralty of Zeeland during the First Anglo-Dutch War. "Dingeman" almost comes across as a title, not a first name: "Thing Man". In any case, he was from Middelburg. Captain Cats commanded the small, 23-gun Zeeland ship, Gecroonde Liefde. She was only 112ft long. His ship was said to be one of the 100 ships hired in 1652. In July and August 1652, he was with Tromp's fleet on the voyage to the Shetlands. His ship survived the storm. He and his ship seem to have not been at the Battle of the Kentish Knock. In November and December, he was with the fleet at the Battle of Dungeness. He was assigned to Jan Evertsen's squadron. He took part in the Battle of Portland, and his ship was one of a group of 17 Zeeland ships that set sail, after the battle, for Zeeland. They arrived in the Scheldt on March 5, 1653. In June 1653, he fought in the Battle of the Gabbard (Nieuwpoort or the Two Days Battle). He was in Michiel De Ruyter's squadron at the Battle of Scheveningen. We can verify that because there are orders to Dingeman Cats from De Ruyter, telling him that his primary duty in the battle was to rescue crews from Dutch ships sunk in the battle. He was still to fight, but that was not his primary duty. He and his ship were still listed in the "Staet van Oorlog te water" for 1654, and his ship appears as well in the list from 1655 summarized in Dr. Elias' book, De Vlootbouw in Nederland.

Dutch Captain: Hendrick Cleuter

For some reason, the only information that I have about Hendrick Cleuter is from the 1629 "Staet van Oorlog te Water", and possibly one other. In 1629, he commanded the Amserdam ship Haerlem, said to be of 225 lasts, a substantial ship. The Haerlem carried about 28 guns: 2-24pdr, 4-18pdr, 16-12pdr, 6-5pdr, and 7-steenstukken with 14 chambers. The 28 guns doesn't count the steenstukken, which Jan Glete says are "swivels". The Haerlem is well-armed, with 22 guns of 12pdr or larger. I have two data items for the Haerlem, and one has her crew as 95 men and the other as 90 men. She was built in 1623. I would expect a ship of 225 lasts to be about 125ft x 29ft x 13ft (Amsterdam feet of 283mm). For some reason, Captain Cleuter doesn't appear in any of the obvious books where he might be expected to be. He also doesn't appear in Mollema's "Honor Roll", such as Dr. Graefe's book, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, which definitely covers the 1620's and early 1630's.

Dutch Captain: Jacob Tronquoy (Troncquoy or Turquoy)

Jacob Tronquoy apparently was a controversial figure. There is even some question as to his identity. He may have served many years as Dionijs Tronquoy, before using the name Jacob Tronquoy, starting in 1639. According to Tromp's Journal and the "Booty List", Jacob Tronquoy was a convoyer with the Admiralty of Amsterdam. Dr. De Boer had remarked that it was strange, in examining 30 years of resolutions, to have never seen the name "Jacob Tronquoy". He says that Witte de With always referred to him as "Berchem's lieutenant". Dr. De Boer says that he is definitely mentioned as Berchem's lieutenant in De Graefe's list of ships and captains in Kapiteinsjaren. Dr. De Boer was sceptical of the charge against Tronquoy in a courtmartial for mutiny. There had been a controversial mutiny on his ship in 1641 where harsh sentences had been issued. These were later reduced, but Jacob Tronquoy never did become a "Ordinaris-Kapitein".

I do know that a Dionijs Tronquoij commanded the Amsterdam flute Campen in 1628. This was a vessel of 140 or 150 lasts that carried 18 guns and had a crew of 80 men. In 1636, Dionijs Tronquoij commanded the Haerlem (built in 1623) which was a large ship of 250 lasts and carried 32 guns.

I'm not convinced that Dionijs and Jacob were the same man. I have an alternative spelling of Troucquois for Jacob's last name. He is also referred to as Jacob Troucquois "alias Schaeff". In October 1639, he was under the command of Joris van Cats at the Battle of the Downs. In 1652, he commanded the Omlandia (30 guns and a crew of 100 men) . I have a listing for him as commanding the Zeelandia in 1658, which is inconsistent with what else I have seen.

References:

• James C. Bender, "Dutch Captains", unpublished manuscript, 2004.
• James C. Bender, "Dutch Ships 1620-1700", unpublished manuscript, 2004.
• Dr. M.G. De Boer, Het Proefjaar van Maarten Harpertsz. Tromp 1637-1639, Amsterdam, 1946.
• Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Armada van 1639, Amsterdam, 1941.
• C.R. Boxer, The Journal of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp Anno 1639, Cambridge, 1930.
• Dr. S.R. Gardiner, The First Dutch War, Vol.I, London, 1898.
• Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, Amsterdam, 1938.

Dutch Captain: Jan Corneliszoon Keert de Koe

Jan Corneliszoon Keert de Koe served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. In 1636, he commanded the ship Witte Eenhoorn, a ship of 150 lasts. The Witte Eenhoorn carried 32 guns and had a crew of 90 sailors and 20 soldiers. He served with Tromp's fleet from the beginning of the campaign of 1639. He repeatedly fulfilled important assignments. On 29 April 1639, his ship lay before the Maas, in the company of Witte de With and 6 other ships. On 16 May, his ship was with Tromp and Witte de With, passing Alderney and Portland. On 22 June, the fleet was off Portland, and Captain Keert de Koe was present. On July 10, he was still with the main body of the fleet. On 27 July, he was back off of Portland under Witte de With. On about 12 August, Captain Keert de Koe left for the Seine with Cornelis Evertsen to act as a convoy to the supply fleet. On 25 August, several of Captain Keert De Koes' sailors were punished. On 27 August, Captain Keert de Koe, along with Barent Pieterszoon Dorrevelt's row-yacht chased several enemy frigates, firing at them. While off Dunkirk on 4 September, his ship lost her main topmast. When that happened, Barent Pieterszoon Dorrevelt set sail to rejoin the fleet. On 19 September, Captain Keert de Koe rejoined the fleet, coming from the North Sea. He took no part in the final battle, as he died, and his crew reported on 16 October that their captain had died. Later, a Captain Keert de Koe fought in the battle for Malacca, but this must have been a different man. References:

• Dr. M. G. De Boer, Tromp en de Armada van 1639, Amsterdam, 1941
• C. R. Boxer, The Journal of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp Anno 1639, Cambridge, 1930
• Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, Amsterdam, 1938

Dutch Captain: Frederick Pieterszoon 't Hovelinck

Frederick Pieterszoon 't Hovelinck of Enkhuizen was usually just called Frederick Pieterszoon. In the campaign of 1639, leading up to the Battle of the Downs, he commanded a ship hired in Amsterdam from private owners, the Groote Christoffel (28 guns and a crew of 90 men). Frederick Pieterszoon served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. On 12 July 1639, he had taken a small bark heading for Dunkirk carrying apples and lemons. On 16 September, under the command of Lt.-Admiral Tromp, while sailing on the starboard tack to fight the Spanish, Frederick Pieterszoon's ship blew up killing him and most of the crew, apparently caused by mishandling gunpowder. A few survivors were picked up by the Spanish, who returned them on 22 September, along with a few sailors who jumped off Witte de With's ship when there was a fire.

References:

• C.R. Boxer, The Journal of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp Anno 1639, Cambridge, 1930
• Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Armada van 1639, Amsterdam, 1941.

Dutch Captain: Cornelis Evertszoon de Liefde

This is my translation of the entry in Mollema's "Honor Roll" for Cornelis Evertszoon de Liefde:

He lived from 1617 to 25 September 1673. He served the Admiralty of the Maze. He was promoted to captain in 1666 and was a temporary Schout-bij-Nacht in 1673. In 1644, he was a market ferry skipper from Amsterdam to Rotterdam. In 1667, he commanded the Wassenaer (56 guns) in the Raid on Chatham. In 1673, he distinguished himself on he Delft at Schooneveld and the Battle of the Texel.

In July 1672, Brandt indicates that Cornelis de Liefde commanded the Rotterdam ship Delft (62 guns and a crew of 295 sailors and 15 soldiers). In Warnsinck's book about the Schooneveld battles, he shows Cornelis de Liefde as commanding the Gelderland (63 guns and a crew of 345 men). He was in De Ruyter's squadron. On 17 August 1673, at the Battle of the Texel, he again commanded the Gelderland (now 63 guns and a crew of 295 sailors and 25 soldiers). He was in Jan de Liefde's division in De Ruyter's squadron. He was Jan de Liefde's older brother and still temporary Schout-bij-Nacht (as noted in Dr. J.R. Bruijn's book about the war in 1673).

Dutch Captain: Paulus Egbertszoon Sonck

Captain Paulus Egbertszoon Sonck (it is spelled Souck in The First Dutch War) commanded a ship named Amsterdam at the Battle of Scheveningen. The Amsterdam had 10 killed and 18 wounded in the battle. The ship had her mainmast, foremast and fore yard shattered, along withe the topmasts. She had taken 14 shot on or below the waterline. She had taken a great deal of damage above the waterline. She had started the battle with 5,000 lbs. of gunpowder and had 1,900 lbs. remaining at the end.

There is a passage from Dr. Elias' book Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol. V, page 179, which I have translated: "He [Witte de With] now had hope, as weather and wind cooperated, that this ship [the Huis te Zwieten] and the new one, built in the States shipyard in Amstelstad, armed with 50 guns, the warship Amsterdam (under the command of Captain Sonck), that had arrived in the Texel on the 2nd [of August 1653] and should be ready for sea "inside a few days".

This leads me to believe that my previous estimate was incorrect: that Captain Souck (or Sonck) commanded the Amsterdam that had previously been commanded by Simon van der Aeck. Instead, he seems to have commanded the newly built Amsterdam, a much larger ship, at Scheveningen. The other two new ships, the Huis te Zwieten (Witte de With's new ship) and the Huis te Kruiningen (Michiel de Ruyter's new ship), were not able to be ready by the date of the battle.

Captain Sonck commanded the Duivenvoorde (40 guns) at the Battle of the Sound in 1658, under the command of Lt-Admiral van Wassenaer. Captain Sonck's leg was shot off in the battle and he died as a consequence of his injury.

References:

Dr. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van Ons Zeewezen, Vol.V

C.T. Atkinson, The First Dutch War, Vol.V

G.L. Grove, Journalen van de Admiralen Van Wassenaer-Obdam (1658-59) en De Ruyter (1659/60)

Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Holländische Seekrieg 1652-1654 Sowie der Schwedisch-Holländsichse Seekrieg 1658-1659

Dutch Captain: Joost Banckert de Jonge

There is minimal mention of Joost Banckert in Mollema's "Honor Roll". This is my translation of what is there:

Joost Banckert died on 28 February 1652 (the first day of the Battle of Portland: the Three Days Battle). In 1652, he fought under De Ruyter at the Battle of Plymouth. He commanded the Zeeland ship Liefde (26 guns and a crew of 86 men). In 1653, he was killed at the Three Days Battle.

Joost Banckert de Jonge was a son of Joost van Trappen Banckert (Joost de Oude). He had two brothers: Adriaan Banckert and Jan Banckert (who was killed on 13 June 1665). He had a son, also named Joost, who was a captain in 1673. We know that on 27 June 1652, he reported that an English fleet with 1200 musketeers was headed for Zeeland to make an landing. That proved to be false. He took part in the Battle of Plymouth, under De Ruyter. On 23 September 1652, his ship was sent in as being unfit to stay at sea, so he missed the Battle of the Kentish Knock. Joost Banckert fought at the Battle of Dungeness. He was present at the start of the Battle of Portland, where he was killed on the first day. His ship was sent to Vlissingen as part of a group of 17 Zeeland ships.

Friesland ships in March 1653

Given what I have seen on the page of Friesland ships on the historical society website, I may be able to do a better job of filling in details of the list in Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen. I am still not certain how good this list is, but it seems to be better than I have had.

Landsschepen:

Groningen, 38 guns crew 110 or 140 men Hendrick Janszoon Camp?

Zevenwolden, 38 guns crew 110 or 140 men Frederick Stellingwerf

Westergo, 28 guns crew 110 men Tijmen Claeszoon

Omlandia, 28 guns crew 110 men Laurens Degelcamp

(should include the Graaf Willem jacht of 12 guns built 1644 and 74ft x 18-1/2ft x 7ft)

Gehuurde schepen:

Graaf Hendrick, 30 guns crew 110 men Jan Reynderszoon Wagenaar

Breda, 30 guns crew 110 men Adriaan Bruynsvelt (why wouldn't this be under the Landsschepen?)

Sara, 24 guns crew 90 men Lt. Hasselgants

Postpaerd, 24 guns crew 90 men Isaak Codde

Graaf Willem fluit, 24 guns crew 90 men Jan Coenders (there is a reference saying his ship is the Graaf Willem fluit, but it could be the yacht, instead)

Waterhond yacht, 16 guns crew 60 men Captain Oosteroon

Harlingen Directors:

Sint Vincent, 28 guns Adriaan Cleyntien

Prins Willem, 28 guns Andries Douweszoon Pascaert

Dutch captain Hendrick Janszoon Camp

Thanks to Andrew in Russia, I have some information about Hendrick Janszoon Camp. The original was in Dutch, and this is my translation of what Andrew sent:

From 1636 to 1637, Hendrick Janszoon Camp commanded the Directors' yacht Breda, which Trmp had sent away due to its bad sailing. The yacht was tasked to go to Cape LeFevie and Dieppe to see if there were ships there waiting for a convoy.

On September 15, 1639, Hendrick Janszoon Camp was at the battle off Beachy Head under Tromp. He was on the Directors' yacht Gidion from the province of Friesland under the Admiralty of Rotterdam.

On Ocotber 21, 1639, Captain Camp was on the Directors' yacht Gidion at the Battle of the Downs.

From 1640 to 1641, Captain Camp was at the Admiralty of Friesland. In 1642, was ordered to pout to sea in the only Friesland ship that was ready at the Texel.

In 1648, Pytter Meynerts. Spierhingh of Harlingen was lieutenant in Captain Camp's ship. From 1650 to 1652, he was with the relief force off Brazil.

On 10 December 1652, he was at the Battle of Dungeness, off the Singels, in the ship Groningen. On 13 December 1652, he and Captain Verburch fought two larger English frigates (Fairfax and Portsmouth). His ship was heavily damaged in the fighting with approximately 100 shots above and below the waterline. Because of that, the admiralty provided him with another ship.

Captain Camp took part in the Battle of Portland (28 February to 2 March 1653) on the ship Groningen under Tromp. Perhaps he was killed there, as his lieutenant, Frederick Stellingwerf was suggested as a possible successor, but he was probably not appointed. He did assume command of the Zevenwolden (38 guns) and took part in the Battle of the Gabbard and the Scheveningen, where his ship was sunk and he became an English prisoner.

Dutch captain: Barend Barendszoon Cramer

This drawn from my translation of what Dr. De Boer wrote about Barend Cramer:

In 1639, Barend Barendszoon Cramer took part in the whole campaign of the Battle of the Downs as flag captain of the Tromp in the Aemilia. He had already spent 24 years in the fleet, first as a quartermaster on the ship of Lt.-Admiral van Dorp and then with Tromp, who had appointed him as captain of the Aemilia. On 29 November 1640, he brought out an interesting report concerning the Aemilia, her poor condition, and unfitness for sea in the winter.

Three years later, Tromp tried to provide a better command for him as a convoyer with the great fishery of the College of the Maas, and gave him a glowing recommendation. But it was to no avail. Captain Cramer applied again, the following year.

They tried again in 1645 in Amsterdam. Now, Tromp was able to win a command for his protégé. Finally, on 9 September, he received a commission by the Admiral-General. He did not get command of the ship he wanted, the Walcheren, but the old ship of Captain Toelast, instead.

Captain Cramer had a difficult time, then in 1647, he sailed with Witte de With for Brazil. He and the Vice-Admiral fought, and in the courtmartial, Captain Cramer was found guilty, due to the injury he caused. After returning, on 8 February 1650, with complaints about the procedures followed by Witte de With. He seems to have been rehabilitated by a resolution of 16 September, in which he requested employment. His request was considered, along with good recommendations, and he was restored. He continued to have poor relations with Witte de With, and had an incident on 22 May 1652, where orders had been issued for the division of the fleet.

In the early part of the First Anglo-Dutch War, we know that Barend Cramer served under Commandeur Augustijn Balck in Witte de With's squadron. On July 5, he attended a council of war on board the Brederode, prior to sailing for the Shetlands. His was one of 26 Amsterdam ships operating with the main fleet. In October 1652, he was Balck's Vice-Admiral on the convoy to Muscovy. He commanded the Edam (28 guns) through the war.

In 1659, he commanded the Hollandia (44 guns) in De Ruyter's fleet in the Sound. This was an ship that was unique in the Dutch fleet, in that her dimension were 142ft x 32-1/2ft x 14-1/2ft. She was longer and narrower than other 44 gun ships. She disappeared her service in 1659, although it just may be that no records have survived.

Some Dutch ships from 1639

Dr. M.G. De Boer mentions a few ships from prior to the 1650's in his book Tromp en de Armada van 1639:

• Laurens Pieterszoon Bachuysen ship: Salamander, 40 guns, crew 110 men (West India Company)
• Joost van Trappen Banckert ship: Wapen van Zeeland, 32 guns, crew 120 men (Zeeland)
• Joris Pieterszoon Broeck ship: Rotterdam, 10 guns, crew 70 men (Friesland)
• Hendrick Janszoon Camp ship: Gideon, 24 guns, crew 100 men
• Joris van Cats ship: Zutphen, 28 guns, crew 110 men (Amsterdam)
• Willem van Coulster ship: Gelderland, 34 guns, crew 120 men (Rotterdam)
• Abraham Crijnssen ship: Ter Goes, 24 guns, crew 90 men (Zeeland)
• Adriaan Dommertszoon ship: Sint Laurens, 32 guns, crew 90 men
• Barent Pieterszoon Dorrevelt ship: Amsterdam, 10 guns, crew 60 men (Amsterdam)
• Jacques Forant ship: Overijssel, 24 guns, crew 100 men (Amsterdam)
• Johan van Galen ship: Utrecht, 24 guns (Amsterdam)
• Jan Gerbrandszoon ship: Omlandia, 28 guns, crew 80 men (Amsterdam)
• Lambert Isbrandszoon Halffhoorn ship: Hollandsche Tuin (180 lasts), 32 guns, crew 120 men (Noorderkwartier)
• Claes Corneliszoon Ham ship: Sampson, 32 guns, crew 120 men (Noorderkwartier)
• Cornelis 't Jonge Hoen ship: Neptunus, 33 guns, crew 100 men (Noorderkwartier)
• Adriaan Janszoon den Oven ship: Arnemuyden, 22 guns, crew 80 men (Zeeland)
• Frederick Pieterszoon ship: Groote Christoffel, 28 guns, crew 90 men (Noorderkwartier)
• Robbert Post ship: Deventer, 28 guns, crew 110 men
• Jan Thueneszoon Sluys ship: Walcheren (180 lasts), 28 guns, crew 110 men (Amsterdam)
• Maarten Tromp ship: Aemilia, 57 guns crew 240 men (Rotterdam)
• Gerrit Meyndertszoon den Uyl ship: Utrecht, 30 guns, crew 120 men (Amsterdam)
• Gerrit Veen ship: Drenthe, 16 guns, crew 60 men
• Jan Jacobszoon Vlieger ship: Meerminne (200 lasts), 24 guns (Zeeland)
• Sijbrant Waterdrincker ship: Bommel, 28 guns, crew 80 sailors (Amsterdam)
• Pieter Pieterszoon de Wint ship: Frederick Hendrik, 36 guns, crew 120 men (Amsterdam)
• Witte Corneliszoon de With ship: Maecht van Dordrecht, 42 guns, crew 140 men (Rotterdam)
• Lunen Cornelsizoon de Zeeuw ship: Wapen van Holland, 39 guns, crew 120 men (Noorderkwartier)