Dutch Captain: Gerrit Veen

We know that in 1636, Gerrit Veen commanded the Amsterdam jacht Engel Gabriël (16 guns). We know some about the operations that were happening at this time. On September 5th, 1636, Captain Vijgh was given command of the last Rotterdam ship and sent to find the fleet, and report to the flag. Wemmer van Berchem had left the Texel on the 5th and joined with Van Dorp, while Captain Veen joined on the 7th. The Amsterdam jacht under the command of Barent Pieterszoon Dorrevelt joined the flag on October 5th, 1636. The jacht Engel Gabriël was replaced by the Drente, and Gerrit Veen was given the command. On July 12th, Captains Forant and Veen, in the jacht Drente, were sent to the Meuse to watch for provision ships. Gerrit Veen took part in the campaign leading up to the Battle of the Downs in 1639. At that time, he was suspected of forging his logbook and misreporting. He seems to have fought in the Battle of the Downs. In 1642, Gerrit Veen was courtmartialed and cashiered. He was found to have exhibited cowardice and was unable to keep discipline on his ship. Sources:

1. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Dunkerkers, 1949.

2. Charles R. Boxer, The Journal of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp Anno 1639, 1930.

3. Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, 1938.