Dutch Captain: Cornelis van Velsen

Cornelis van Velsen served the Admiralty of Amsterdam during the First Anglo-Dutch War. He commanded the ship Gelderland (28 guns and a crew of 100 men) which was one of the 116 ft vessels built in 1639. The dimensions were probably 116ft x 27ft x 11ft. During the summer of 1652, he served under Michiel de Ruyter in the fleet employed as convoyers of merchant ships in the Channel. He fought in the Battle of Plymouth, against Sir George Ayscue's fleet. He was very likely at the Battle of the Kentish Knock, as part of De Ruyter's squadron in that battle. He also fought in the Battle of Portland and then at the Battle of the Gabbard. At the Gabbard, his ship blew up, due to excessive gun powder in the air and around the ship. He was killed in the explosion. Only five men were saved, although not Cornelis van Velsen. 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. Dr. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van Ons Zeewezen, Vol.V, 1928.
4. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
5. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.