English Captain: Valentine Pine (or Pyend)

Samuel Pepys has a unique spelling of Valentine Pine's last name: Pyend. Frank Fox uses the more conventional spelling. Valentine Pine was promoted to Captain in 1662 (Syrett and DiNardo use the "Pyend" spelling). In 1662, Valentine Pine commanded the Garland. In 1663, he was appointed to command the old 4th Rate Expedition. In 1664, he commanded the 4th Rate Dragon. In 1665, he was appointed to command the 2nd Rate St. Andrew (66 guns). He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, and was assigned to Robert Sansum's division. In 1666, he fought in the Four Days Battle, where he was assigned to Sir Robert Holmes's division. On 25 July 1666, he fought at the St. James's Day Battle, where he was assigned to the General's divison. Sources:

1. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

2. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.

3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Thomas Roome Coyle

Thomas Roome Coyle served in the Restoration navy. He was appointed as Lieutenant on the 4th Rate Bendish (42 guns)in 1664. In 1665, he became her captain. Later in 1665, he commanded the Guinea frigate. He commanded the Guinea (36 guns) at the battle at Bergen on 2 august 1665. He was with Sir Jeremy Smith at Tangier from December 1665 until March 1666, still in command of the Guinea. At the time of the Four Days Battle, he was at Portsmouth victualling the Guinea. In 1666, Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle appointed him to command the 4th Rate Dragon (40 guns). He commanded the Dragon at the St. James's Day Battle on 25 July 1666. Later in 1666, he was appointed as captain of the Montagu. In 1672, he was appointed as captain of the French Ruby (66 guns), a 2nd Rate. He commanded her at the Battle of Solebay, where he was assigned to Sir John Kempthorne's division. In August 1672, he was assigned to Richard Beach's division. On 17 December 1677, he was appointed by the King as captain of the 4th Rate Phoenix. On 12 April 1679, Vice-Admiral Herbert appointed him as captain of the Royal Oak. His predecessor had died from disease at Port Mahon on Minorca. On 29 July 1682, the commission appointed him as captain of the Spanish Merchant. On 11 June 1685, the King appointed him as captain of the Crown. Thomas Roome Coyle fought "the first important single ship action of the war" on May 12, 1689, while in command of the Nonsuch (42 guns). Thomas Roome Coyle was killed in the action, but he defeated two redoubtable foes, Jean Bart and the Chevalier de Forbin. The Frenchman were in small ships, so despite their eventual greatness, they were beaten in this action. Robert Sincock, the boatswain, took command after Thomas Roome Coyle died and by June 27, was promoted to captain of the Nonsuch. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.

2. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.

3. Julian S. Corbett, “A Note on the Drawings in the Possession of The Earl of Dartmouth Illustrating The Battle of Solebay May 28, 1672 and The Battle of the Texel August 11, 1673”, 1908.

4. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

5. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Luc Eekhout on Pieter Middellandt

Pieter Middellandt served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He was born in Gouda. He died near Palermo on 2 June 1676. He commanded in the battles of Stromboli, Etna, and Palermo. His ship was burnt and he was drowned. The Admiralty of Amsterdam appointed him captain in 1665. In 1676, he was promoted to Schout-bij-Nacht. This is my translation of the piece in Luc Eekhout's Het Admiralenboek.

English Captain: David Lambert

David Lambert served in the Restoration navy, and beyond. Andrew says that he served for 35 years, while only holding seven commands. Sadly, Pepys only shows him in 1661, commanding the 5th Rate Norwich. Syrett and DiNardo definitely show that he served from 1661 until 1695. On 20 May 1661, he was appointed a commander. He was only appointed captain as late as 24 June 1689. On 1 January 1695, he was retired. He died in 1703. Sources:

1. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.

2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Dutch Naval Officer: Willem Bastiaanszoon Schepers

Willem Bastiaanszoon Schepers was born in Haarlem on 8 October 1619 and died in Rotterdam on 21 January 1704. He was a merchant and shipowner in the merchant service, fishery, and whaling industry from 1641 to 1704. From 1678 until 1698, he was a burgameester of Rotterdam. He was with Prins Willem III in England in 1688. He was appointed lieutenant-admiral of the Noorderkwartier on 6 October 1673. On 25 February 1678, he was appointed lieutenant-admiral of Amsterdam. On 28 March 1692, he was appointed lieutenant-admiral with the Admiralty of the Maze (Rotterdam). This is from my translation of the piece in Luc Eekhout's Het Admiralenboek.

English Captain: Henry Collins

Henry Collins served in the Commonwealth navy. From 1651 to 1654, he commanded the hired merchantman Malaga Merchant. He had been with Sir George Ayscue in his voyage to Barbadoes. He was still operating with Sir George Ayscue during the summer of 1652. He fought in the Battle of Plymouth, where the Malaga Merchant carried 30 guns.By late March 1653, he was operating with the fleet. He sailed from Portsmouth with William Penn's squadron. Henry Collins also fought in the Battle of the Gabbard. The Malaga Merchant by this time carried 36 guns. He was assigned to the Generals' division. He almost certainly fought in the Battle of Scheveningen, as well. 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.IV, 1910.
4. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

English Captain: Andrew Rand

Andrew Rand served in the Commonwealth navy. From 1653 to 1654, he commanded the hired merchantman Thomas and Lucy (34 guns and a crew of 120-125 men). He fought in the Battle of Portland in early 1653. After Portland, he was part of a group of 12 ships that were being considered for sending to the Mediterranean following the English defeat at Livorno. In the event, they were not sent, and the English ceded the Mediterranean to the Dutch for the rest of the war. At the Battle of the Gabbard, Andrew Rand was assigned to Lionel Lane's division. He also probably fought in the Battle of Scheveningen. In December 1653, he was with the Winter Guard stationed at Chatham. 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.IV, 1910.

4. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.

Dutch Captain: Roemer Vlak (or Vlacq)

Oddly enough, although he served as a temporary flag officer, Luc Eekhout omits any mention of Roemer Vlak from Het Admiralenboek. Mollema's "Honor Roll" also omits him from the list. The main information that I have about Roemer Vlak is originally from Brandt's biography of De Ruyter. He served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1671, he commanded a ketch (Kits?) with 6 guns and a crew of 12 men. In 1672, he commanded the small frigate Postiljon (24 guns). He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where his ship suffered 2 killed, 5 severely wounded, and 4 lightly wounded. He was assigned to De Ruyter's squadron in the battle. The dimensions of the Postiljon were 100ft x 24.5ft x 10.25 ft. In July 1672, her crew was 78 men. In 1673, he commanded another small frigate, the Brak. The Brak was armed with 22 or 24 guns. Her crew at the Schooneveld battles wes 83 sailors and 17 soldiers. The Brak was built in 1666 and her dimensions were 103.5ft x 25ft x 10.5ft. He apparently fought in the Battle of the Texel, as well. In 1674, he commanded the fluit Opperdoes, which had 16 guns. She was used as transport in the De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique. I checked my various sources, and I don't have anything which describes Roemer Vlak's later career. Andrew says that Roemer Vlak lived from 1637 to 1703. In 1676 to 1677, "he was a temporary vice-admiral in Binckes's squadron in the Caribbean Sea and commanded the ship Huis van Kruiningen (50 guns). He fought with distinction at the Battle off Tobago (3 March 1677). He commanded (as rear-admiral) the convoying squadron (3 ships) at the Biscayen Gulf in 1703 and was defeated and killed in the battle against the French squadron (May 1703)." Thanks to Andrew for this good information.

English Captain: Nathaniel Goodlad

Nathaniel Goodlad served in the Parliamentarian navy. In 1643, he commanded the 2nd Rate Victory (46 guns). He was assigned to the Summer Guard for 1643, under the command of the Earl of Warwick. From 1646 to 1647, he again commanded the Victory. Powell only lists him for 1647, when the Victory was one of 6 2nd Rates held in reserve and to be docked and made ready. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. J. R. Powell, The Navy in the English Civil War, 1962.

Dutch Naval Officer: Jan Janszoon Dick

Jan Janszoon Dick served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He was born in Hoorn. He was killed in the Battle of Beachy Head, on 10 July 1690. He commanded in the Schooneveld battles and the Battle of the Texel in 1673. He was with the fleet that carried Willem III to England in 1688. He was killed in the Battle of Beach Head. He had originally just been a sailor. In 1671, he was promoted to captain. On 6 October 1673, he was promoted to Schout-bij-Nacht. This is from my translation of Luc Eekhout's piece in Het Admiralenboek. We also know that he commanded the Caleb (48 guns) in 1671. In May 1672, he commanded the Jozua (54 guns), which was sunk at the Battle of Solebay. In July 1672, he commanded the Noorderkwartier (60 guns). During 1673, he commanded the Eenhoorn (70 guns). For the operation in 1688, he commanded the Noorderkwartier (64 guns). This is from my unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700" from 2004.

Luc Eekhout says that Jan Gideonsz. Verburgh was at the Battle of the Sound

While Luc Eekhout, in Het Admiralenboek, writes that Jan Gideonszoon Verburgh (Verburch) was at the Battle of the Sound, that is probably wrong. In 1658 and 1659, he commanded the relatively new ship Amsterdam (54 guns). He was with Michiel De Ruyter's fleet in 1659, when the fleet of 39 ships was in the Baltic, along with an English fleet. De Ruyter's fleet landed soldiers and captured the island of Funen from the Swedes. This operation is usually named after the port city Nyborg.

Dutch Naval Officer: Willem Joseph baron van Ghent tot Drakenburgh

Willem Joseph baron van Ghent was born in Vianen on 14 May 1626. He was killed in action on 7 June 1672. By 1648, he was a captain of infantry. In 1663, he was a major. In 1664, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. From 1665 to 1666, he was commandant of the Regiment de Marine (forerunner of the Korps Mariniers). He commanded in the Raid on Chatham in 1667. He was a member of the council of state of Utrecht in 1668. He was killed in the Battle of Solebay when a cannon ball hit him in the chest and abdomen. The Admiralty of Amsterdam appointed him lieutenant-admiral on 24 August 1666. This is from my translation of Luc Eekhout's entry in Het Admiralenboek.

Some gun lists from Dutch ships in 1690-1697

These are some gun lists for Dutch ships from the reign of Prins Willem III from 1690-1697:

1. Koning Willem, 94 guns (Zeeland): 28-24pdr, 30-18pdr, 6-12pdr, 22-8pdr, 8-6pdr
2. Zeelandia, 92 guns (Zeeland): 28-24pdr, 26-12pdr, 22-8pdr, 16-6pdr
3. Beschermer, 90 guns (Maze): 12-36pdr, 18-24pdr, 30-18pdr, 24-6pdr, 6-4pdr
4. Wakende Kraan, 78 guns (Maze): 8-24pdr, 20-18pdr, 28-12pdr, 18-4pdr, 4-3pdr
5. Hertog van Gelderland, 64 guns (Maze): 24-18pdr, 22-12pdr, 18-4pdr

These ships exhibit a feature that I have seen before, large numbers of small pieces, almost if the goal were simply to achieve a certain number of guns, regardless of the broadside weight.

Dutch Naval Officer: Cornelis de Liefde

Cornelis de Liefde was born in Rotterdam in 1617. He died in Rotterdam on 25 September 1673. He commanded in the Four Days Battle and perhaps the St. James's Day Battle in 1666. He was wounded in the Battle of the Texel in 1673, and later died. He served the Admiralty of the Maze (Rotterdam). On 17 March 1666, he was appointed as an extraodinary captain. On 4 February 1667, he was promoted to captain. On 21 August 1673, he was a titular Schout-bij-Nacht. This is from my translation of the short bio in Luc Eekhout's Het Admiralenboek.

English Captain: Henry Toope

Henry Toope served in both the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navies. He may well have been the merchant captain of the Giles, as he was her captain in 1646, when she was held in reserve, and from 1652 to 1653. On 21 May 1652, he was ordered to take his ship to join the force assembling in the Downs. This was only two days after the action against Tromp's fleet. He fought in the Battle of the Kentish Knock, and then was sent as convoy with the Dutch prizes for the Thames. He fought in the Battle of Portland in early 1653. In April 1653, he was sent to the Downs as part of reinforcement for the convoyers. In early May, he had been with the fleet, but was dispatched to convoy prizes. He seems to have missed the later battles. The Giles may have been in reserve at least part of the First Anglo-Dutch War, as well as during the Civil War. R.C. Anderson indicates that, although I cannot verify that it was true. 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.IV, 1910.

4. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.

5. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

6. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.

Dutch naval officer: Gillis Thijssen Campen

Gillis Thijssen Campen served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He was born about 1620 and died on 13 June 1665. He was killed in the Battle of Lowestoft. He was appointed captain in 1652. In 1664, he was promoted to Schout-bij-Nacht. In 1665, he served as a temporary Vice-Admiral. That is my translation of the abbreviated entry in Luc Eekhout's Het Admiralenboek. I can supplement that entry with more information. At the start of the First Anglo-Dutch War, Gillis Thijssen Campen was assigned to Witte de With's squadron. His was one of 16 Amsterdam ships with Tromp's fleet on the voyage to the Shetlands in July and August 1652. He fought in the Battle of the Kentish Knock. His ship was still the small Gouden Leeuw (24 guns and a crew of 80 men). His ship was paid off shortly after the Kentish Knock. By the summer of 1653, he commanded the Groningen (42 guns). He was a temporary Schout-bij-Nacht at the Battle of Scheveningen. He was still captain of the Groningen into 1654. By 1656, he commanded the new Dom van Utrecht. At the Battle of Lowestoft, where he died, he flew his flag on the Koevorden (56 guns). He died when the ship was burnt by an English fireship. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700", 2004.

2. Luc Eekhout, Het Admiralenboek, 1992.

3. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

4. Michael Robinson, R.E.J. Weber, The Willem Van De Velde Drawings in the Boymans-Van Beuningen Museum, 1979.

Willem van Nassau

Willem van Nassau was born in 1595 and died at Groenlo on 18 August 1627. He was lord van der Leck (illegitimate son of Prince Maurits of Nassau). He was an infantry officer who commanded in a joint English-Dutch expedition to Spain. He commanded the blockade of Dunkirk from 1626 to 1627. He was killed in the siege of Groenlo. He was appointed as Lieutenant-Admiral of Holland and West-Friesland on 18 June 1625. The source for this is my translation of the entry in Luc Eekhout's Het Admiralenboek.

Dutch Admiral: Mooy Lambert

Lambert Hendrickszoon's nickname was Mooy Lambert. He was born in Tiel about 1550. He died in Rotterdam on 17 March 1625. He was perhaps most famous for the Battle near Gibraltar in 1607. He eventually died from wounds during a battle with Dunkirk privateers. He served the Admiralty of the Maze (Rotterdam). He was promoted to captain in 1592. In 1607, he was appointed as a temporary Schout-bij-Nacht. In May 1624, he was promoted to Vice-Admiral. He was about 74 years old at the time. This is from my translation of the entry in Luc Eekhout's Het Admiralenboek.

Dutch naval officer Gideon de Wildt

Gideon de Wildt served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He was born in Amsterdam on 26 June 1624. He died there on 12 September 1665. He served in the First Anglo-Dutch War as a division commander. He was 27, almost 28 years old at the start of the war. He commanded at the Battles of the Kentish Knock and Dungeness in 1652. He took part in the operation to Nyborg in 1659. In 1644, he was promoted to captain. On 29 January 1665, he was promoted to Schout-bij-Nacht. I have added to my translation of the passage in Luc Eekhout's Het Admiralenboek.

English Captain: Thomas Elliot

In 1664, Thomas Elliot was appointed to command the hired merchant ship Katherine (36 guns). He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he was assigned to Christopher Myngs' division. At the Four Days Battle, he was assigned to Richard Utber's divison. Frank Fox has him still in the Katherine, but now with 40 guns. Frank Fox says that he commanded the Katherine from 8 March 1665 until she was idled in July 1666. Pepys has him in 1665 first in the 4th Rate Sapphire and then the 3rd Rate Revenge. Frank Fox says the Thomas Elliot fought in the St. James's Day Battle while in command of the Revenge. In 1667, he was reappointed to command the Revenge. In 1668, he was appointed to command the 3rd Rate Anne. He was reappointed again in 1670 to the Anne. In 1670, he was appointed as captain of the Reserve. In 1672, he was appointed to command the 3rd Rate York. He fought in the Battle of Solebay in the York, where he was assigned to Sir John Harman's division. Later in 1672, he was appointed as second captain of the 2nd rate London. He seems to have at least been at the first Schooneveld battle. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.

2. Julian S. Corbett, “A Note on the Drawings in the Possession of The Earl of Dartmouth Illustrating The Battle of Solebay May 28, 1672 and The Battle of the Texel August 11, 1673”, 1908.

3. Frank Fox, Great Ships: The Battlefleet of King Charles II, 1980.

4. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).

5. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Dutch naval officer: Cornelis Evertsen de Oude

Cornelis Evertsen was born in Vlissingen on 4 July 1610. He was killed in action at the Four Days Battle on 11 June 1666. He commanded in the Battles of Dover, the Kentish Knock, and Dungeness in 1652. In 1653, he commanded in the Battles of Portland, the Gabbard, and Scheveningen. He fought in the Battle of the Sound in 1658, in the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665, and the Four Days Battle in 1666, where he was killed by a cannon ball. He served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He was promoted to captain on 25 August 1636. On 1 May 1652, he was appointed as a temporary Schout-bij-Nacht. On 14 March 1654, he was made a permanent Schout-bij-Nacht. On 16 December 1664, he was promoted to Vice-Admiral. On 15 July 1665, he was appointed Lieutenant-Admiral. This is from my translation of what Luc Eekhout wrote in Het Admiralenboek.

Dutch naval officer: Tjerk Hiddesz. de Vries

Tjerk Hiddes de Vries was born in Sexbierum on 6 August 1622. He died at Vlissingen on 6 August 1666. He served the Admiralty of Friesland. He was fatally wounded at the St. James's Day Battle, where his leg was shattered and he lost an arm to a shot. In 1654, he was promoted to extraordinary captain. On 27 March 1665, he was promoted to captain. On 29 June 1665, he was promoted to lieutenant-admiral. This is my translation of a piece in Luc Eekhout's Het Admiralenboek.

More about William Crispin

William Laird Clowes has some information about William Crispin as does The First Dutch War. For R. C. Anderson to omit mentioning William Crispin is a significant oversight. In about April 1653, William Crispin commanded the 4th Rate Assistance (40 guns). He was at Portsmouth with the Generals. These ships comprised the General's squadron, essentially. At the Battle of the Gabbard, he was assigned to William Penn's division. He most likely fought in the Battle of Scheveningen, as well. In September, he and his ship were included in the list of active ships. In December 1653, his ship was assigned to patrol between the Lizard and the Scillies. In late 1654, William Crispin commanded the 4th Rate Laurel (40 guns, 160 sailors, and 30 soldiers). He set sail with William Penn's fleet on Christmas Day, 1654. They arrived at Barbadoes on January 29, 1655. On June 25, 1655, William Penn set sail with his fleet for England. He hoped to fall in with the Spanish treasure fleet, but did not see them on the return voyage. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.

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. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.

William Crispin doesn't appear in R. C. Anderson's captains list

William Laird Clowes's The Royal Navy, a History from the Earliest Times to the Present lists William Crispin as the captain of the 4th Rate Laurel, which was in William Penn's fleet sent to the Caribbean in 1654. I previously posted the list of ships for that fleet. R. C. Anderson only lists Richard Newberry as captain for the Laurel in 1653 to 1654, and Henry Kirby as captain in 1655. This will require further investigation to sort this out. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.

Jan Gideonsz. Verburgh

Jan Gideonszoon Verburgh (sometimes written as Verburch) served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He lived a long life, as he was born about 1600 and lived until 18 June 1671. He commanded at the Battles of Plymouth and Dungeness in 1652. He fought in the Battle of the Gabbard in 1653. He also fought in the Battle of the Sound in 1658. He Also participated in the operation to Nyborg in 1659 and the Raid on Chatham in 1667. He was promoted to captain in 1651. On 28 August 1652, he was appointed as a temporary Schout-bij-Nacht. Agsint, on 26 February 1665, he was again appointed as a temporary Schout-bij-Nacht. On 24 August 1666, he was promoted to permanent Schout-bij-Nacht. This is from Luc Eekhout's Het Admiralenboek.

English Captain: William Redgacke

William Redgacke (Redjack) commanded the hired merchantman Katherine (24 guns) from 1652 to 1653. This ship was sometimes referred to as the Little Katherine. He fought in the Battle of Dungeness on November 30, 1652. In early 1653, he fought in the Battle of Portland. He is absent from the literature after that point. 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.

Jan Jansz. van Nes

Jan Janszoon van Nes served the Admiralty of the Maze. He was born in Rotterdam on 26 April 1631 and died there on 6 June 1680. He commanded in the following battles:

• the Battle of the Sound in 1658,
• the Four Days Battle and the St. James's Day Battle in 1666,
• the Raid on Chatham in 1667,
• the Battle of Solebay in 1672,
• the two Schooneveld battles in 1673, and
• the Battle of the Texel in 1673

He was promoted to Lieutenant onn 16 January 1652. On 10 December 1659, he was promoted to captain. On 24 February 1666, he was promoted to Schout-bij-Nacht. On 24 October 1673, he was promoted to Vice-Admiral. This is from Luc Eekhout's book, Het Admiralenboek.

English Captain: William Rouse

William Rouse commanded the hired merchantship Love of London (18 guns) from 1651 to 1652, the dates being according to R.C. Anderson. We know that on 27 August 1652, he was sent, in the Love, to convoy victuallers in the Thames. The other information is from Andrew. In 1653, he commanded the 4th Rate Portland (42 guns). He joined the fleet on May 30, 1653, prior to the Battle of the Gabbard. He apparently fought in the Battle of the Gabbard and the Battle of Scheveningen. He was killed in the latter battle. He is sometimes called William Row, William Rowse, or William Rous, as well. 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. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.

English Captain: Stephen Rose

Stephen Rose served in the Commonwealth navy for a short time. In 1652, he commanded the Convert (32 guns). He was appointed to command the newly captured Dutch ship on July 12, 1652 (old style). She was lying at Hull. Apparently, the Convert and five other ships were sent to Plymouth on August 24, 1652 to reinforce Sir George Ayscue's fleet, following his battle against the Dutch. Surprisingly, we know the Convert's dimensions, as she survived until 1661, when Pepys starting keeping detailed records. Her English dimensions were 90ft LK x 26ft x 10ft, with a burden of 324 tons. I estimate the Dutch dimensions in Amsterdam feet as 120ft x 29ft x 11ft. She was large enough that the Dutch could have put as many as 32 guns in her. Stephen Rose and the Convert seem to have been part of Andrew Ball's squadron that was dispatched to the Sound. R.C. Anderson listed the Convert as taking part in the Battle of the Kentish Knock, but she seems to have been with Andrew Ball, instead. About the time of the Battle of Dungeness, Stephen Rose and the Convert were engaged in convoying colliers. 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, Great Ships: The Battlefleet of King Charles II, 1980.

4. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.

5. Dr. S. R. Gardiner, and C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.III, 1906.

English Captain: Robert Fortescue

Robert Fortescue served in the Restoration navy. In 1661, he was captain of the Colchester. In 1666, he was lieutenant of the Greenwich. In 1667, he was lieutenant of the Anne. In 1672, he was appointed captain of the fireship Francis. In 1673, he was appointed to command the Ann & Christopher. On 12 April 1678, the King appointed him to command the hired ship Asia. Sources:

1. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Adriaan Dirkszoon Houttuijn

Adriaan Dirksz. Houttuijn served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He fought in both the First and Second Anglo-Dutch Wars. He was born in Medemblik in 1599, and was killed in action at the Four Days Battle on 12 June 1666. In was in the Venetian service from 1646 to 1651. He took part in the expedition against Nyborg in 1659. In 1665, he fought in the Battle of Lowestoft. He was promoted to captain in 1653, temporary Schout-bij-Nacht in 1665, and permanent Schout-bij-Nacht in 1666. His flagship in the Four Days Battle was the Jonge Prins (Prins van Oranje). This is from Luc Eekhout and Dr. Weber's book on the Four Days Battle.

Joost Banckert

Joost van Trappen, also known as Joost Banckert was born in Vlissingen in 1597 or 1599. He died on 12 September 1647. He served in the West-Indische Compagnie from 1624 to 1636 and from 1645 to 1647. He was a commander in the Battle of the Downs, in 1639. He served the Admiralty of Zeeland, and was promoted to extraordinary captain in 1624. On 3 May 1637, he was promoted to Schout-bij-Nacht. From 1 October 1637 until 11 January 1638, he served as temporary Vice-Admiral. on 10 December 1646, he became a temporary Vice-Admiral, again.

English Captain: Francis Digby

Francis Digby served in the Restoration navy. In 1666, he was lieutenant on the Royal Charles. Later in 1666, he was appointed captain of the 4th Rate Jersey. On 25 July 1666, his ship was lying in need of repair. In 1667, he was appointed captain of the Greenwich. Then, in 1668, he became captain of the Montagu. Finally, in 1672, he was captain of the 2nd Rate Henry (74 guns). He was assigned to the Earl of Sandwich's division. He was killed at the Battle of Solebay, on 28 May 1672. William Laird Clowes says of Captain Digby: "Digby, besides being a captain in the Royal Navy, was a captain in the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot (the Marines of that day), and is remarkable as having been the first naval officer to hold the double commission." (Clowes, page 307). Sources:

1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.

2. Julian S. Corbett, “A Note on the Drawings in the Possession of The Earl of Dartmouth Illustrating The Battle of Solebay May 28, 1672 and The Battle of the Texel August 11, 1673”, 1908.

3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Dutch Admiral: Pieter Floriszoon (or Florissen)

Pieter Florisz. was born in Monnikendam about 1606. He was killed in action at the Battle of the Sound on 8 November 1658. He had been a merchant captain until 1652, although he held naval ranks prior to that. He fought at the Battle of Dungeness in1652, the Battle of Portland, the Battle of the Gabbard, and the Battle of Scheveningen ni 1653. Perhaps, his full name was Pieter Florisz. Bloem. There is a geneological listing on the Internet that suggests that this was the case, as well. He served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. In 1641, he was a temporary captain. In 1644, he was an extraordinary captain, and captain in 1652. As of 15 May 1652, he was a Schout-bij-Nacht. On 11 November 1653, he was promoted to Vice-Admiral. Source:

1. Luc Eekhout, Het Admiralenboek: De Vlagofficieren van de Nederlandse marine 1382-1991, 1992.

English Captain: Edward Blagg

Edward Blagg served in the Commonwealth navy. In 1653, he commanded first the 4th Rates Marmaduke (42 guns) and Portland. He fought at the Battle of the Gabbard in the Marmaduke, where he was assigned to the Generals' division. He was most likely at the Battle of Scheveningen, as well. In 1654, he commanded the 3rd Rate Fairfax. From later in 1654 until 1655, he commanded the 3rd Rate Marston Moor (54 guns). He took part in William Penn's expedition to the West Indies that set sail on Christmas Day of 1654. In 1656, he was back in command of the Fairfax. In 1657, he commanded the 2nd Rate Triumph. Finally, in 1659, he commanded the 2nd Rate Dunbar. 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. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.

English Captain: Robert Moulton, Sr.

The senior Robert Moulton served in the Parliamentarian and Commonwealth navies. In 1643, he commanded the 2nd Rate Swiftsure. From 1643 to 1644, he commanded the 3rd Rate Lion. From 1645 to 1646, he was Admiral commanding forces off Ireland with his flag on the Lion. In 1647, he was captain of the Triumph, which was held in reserve. From 1648 to 1649, he commanded the St. George. Later in 1649, he commanded the Leopard and then the Victory. In January 1649, when the Royalists made an escape attempt in January 1649, Robert Moulton was Vice-Admiral in the Downs, but he only had the Leopard, Bonaventure, and Elizabeth, which were insufficient to stop the Royalists. He was soon joined by the Adventure, which gave him four good ships. The fleet had been dispersed in late 1648 in concern about its loyalty, and it made operations difficult. In 1650, he commanded the Leopard, and then was Vice-Admiral with his flag on the 2nd Rate Andrew. Michael Baumber says that on the expedition to Portugal, Robert Moulton flew his flag on the Happy Entrance. Our friend Andrew says that Robert Moulton was a commissioner of the navy, when he died in September 1652. He had just been dispatched to William Penn, to take part in the operations against the Dutch fleet which was reported to be sailing from the Rammekens. 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.

Egbert Meeuwsz. Kortenaer

Egbert Meeuwszoon Kortenaer served the Admiralty of the Maze (Rotterdam). He was born about 1604 in Groningen and was killed in action at the Battle of Lowestoft on 13 June 1665. He had been advanced to constable in 1626, stuurman in 1636, opperstuurman in 1652, commandeur on 10 April 1653, captain on 21 October 1653, Vice-Admiral on 8 May 1659, and lieutenant-admiral on 29 January 1665. Of course, he had been a squadron commander in November 1653, if not before that. He had been present at many battles in the Brederode in 1652. He fought at Dungeness, where he lost an eye and had his right hand mangled. This is from Luc Eekhout's account in De Admiralenboek.

Some new information about Witte de With

Luc Eekhout, in De Admiralenboek (1992), has a short bio of Witte Corneliszoon de With, which I have augmented. He was born in Brielle on 29 March 1599 and was killed in action at the Battle of the Sound on 8 November 1658. He served in the VOC from 1616 to 1619 and with the WIC from 1628 to 1629. He was punished for his role in the abortive expedition to Brazil to attempt to rescue the WIC position there. The squadron was unsupported and failed, with the loss of two ships. Witte de With was rehabilitated in 1651, after the death of Prince William II from smallpox. He was fleet commander in the Battle of the Kentish Knock. He also fought in the Battle of the Gabbard and the Battle of Scheveningen. His nickname was "Dubbel-With". He served the Admiralty of the Maze (Rotterdam) and was appointed lieutenant in 1619. He was promoted to captain in 1622. On 29 October 1637, he was promoted to Vice-Admiral.

Could the Dutch prize St. Jacob have been the vessel from the First Anglo-Dutch War?

I was looking at English fireships during the Restoration, and saw the Dutch prize St. Jacob listed. A St. Jacob served as a fireship during the First Anglo-Dutch War. I suppose that when the St. Jacob was captured, it was too long after the war to be credible. This St. Jacob was taken in 1666. There were still first war prizes serving in the English navy at this point, so it is not impossible. Surviving hired ships were turned over to their owners in 1654, after the end of the war. This St. Jacob was 65ft x 22ft-6in x 11ft long and of 175 tons burden. That would translate to Dutch dimensions of 86ft x 25ft x 12.5ft (about). The St. Jacob was sold out of the service to Sir Edward Spragge in November 1667. He seems to have owned a number of ships, and must have engaged in trade (or privateering?).