Dutch captain: Franscois (or Francois) van Aarsen

Franscois (or Francois) van Aarsen served the Admiralty of the Maas. In 1672, he commanded the frigate Utrecht (36 guns). He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he was attached to De Ruyter's squadron. The Utrecht had one man killed and two severely wounded. On June 23, 1672, he was with the fleet that was anchored 3 miles northwest of West Cappel. On July 31, 1672, he was with the fleet that was lying off Schooneveld. On September 21, 1672, he was with the fleet, lying in the Texel. All through this period, the Utrecht was attached to De Ruyter's squadron. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.

The Friesland ship Groenewold

Mr. Carl Stapel gave us this information about the Friesland ship Groenewold. He says that the ship was built for the Admiralty of Friesland in 1652:

Groenewold    1652
Admiralty  Name         Length    Beam   Hold   Guns    In Service
Friesland  Groenewold   132-1/2ft 31     13     44      1652-1654

Built at Harlingen in 1652

Armament:   12-18pdr, 8-12pdr, 4-12pdr, 10-8pdr, and 8-6pdr

Date      Captain
7/1654    Theunis Groenewolt


References: Vreugdenhil's notes
           ARA  XLV III.4

Dutch Captain: Cornelis Victol

Cornelis Victol served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. In June 1665, he commanded the Eenhoorn (or Witte Eenhoorn) at the Battle of Lowestoft. He still commanded her in August 1665. At the Four Days' Battle, he commanded the Caleb. The Caleb measured 130ft x 32ft x 13.5ft and carried 6-18pdr, 18-12pdr, 16-8pdr, 4-6pdr, and 4 smaller guns. Her crew consisted of 202 sailors and 35 soldiers. Five men were killed and 11 were wounded in the battle. Captain Victol later died from his wounds. Sources:

1. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.
2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

More about Eland Du Bois, thanks to Andrew

Andrew found "a small bit of information about the famous captain Eland Du Bois. He was a very young captain-from 24 years. Eland Govertsz du Bois was christened on 17 Aug 1642 in Schiedam. He died on 26 Dec 1676 in Schiedam. He was buried on 31 Dec 1676 in Schiedam. He married Maria Hugo van Bleiswijk on 17 Jul 1669, also in Schiedam." We thank Andrew for these details.

Dutch Captain: Jan Rylofszoon

Brandt has some information that would lead me to believe that perhaps Jan Rylofszoon (or is it Reylofszoon) had served as a merchant skipper in the 1660's. He is said to be from Hoorn. There is a reference about the Smyrna convoy in 1665 on page 376 of Brandt. There is another reference from 1672 about him on page 766. The primary reference to Jan Rylofszoon is in 1674, when he is given the captain of the Amsterdam transport fluit Liefde (16 guns) in De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique. The crew is 32 sailors and there are 92 soldiers, of which some or all were being transported to fight on land. Sources:

1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.

Dutch Captain: Anteunis Matthijszoon

Anteunis Matthijszoon served the Admiralty of Zeeland. In July 1672, he commanded the advice jacht Zeehond. From August 1673, he commanded the frigate Goes (or Ter Goes) (34 guns). He fought in the Battle of Solebay in May 1672, in the Zeehond. He was attached to Lt-Admiral Bankert's squadron. He also fought in the Battle of the Texel in August 1673, where he was assigned to Lt-Admiral Bankert's division. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
3. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Dutch Captain: Jan Bogaart

Jan Bogaart served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He commanded the advice jacht Egmond (10 guns) in 1672. He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where the Egmond had two men severely wounded. He was assigned to Van Ghent's squadron. In 1673, he commanded the frigate Bommel (24 guns). He was probably present at the Schooneveld battles and fought in the Battle of the Texel in August. He was assigned to Isaac Sweers' division. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
3. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Dutch Captain: Jan de Laucourt

Jan de Laucourt served the Admiralty of the Maze. In 1671, Brandt called him Joan Jacob de Laucourt, when he commanded the newly built Rotterdam ship Zeelandia (44 guns). In 1672, he fought in the Battle of Solebay in the Zeelandia. He not very heavily engaged as his ship had just one man severely wounded and one lightly wounded. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.

English Captain: William Lee

William Lee served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he commanded the Fortune fireship. In 1666, he commanded the fireship Paul, a Dutch prize from the First Anglo-Dutch War. Frank Fox writes that William Lee commanded the Fortune fireship in the Four Days' Battle in June 1666. The Paul was still fitting out at that date. William Lee fought in the St. James's Day Battle where the Fortune was expended. In 1672, he commanded the Olive Branch fireship. He was appointed captain in 1665 and entered the Swedish service in 1676. He was murdered in 1678. Andrew says that he commanded the Gottenborg in the Battle of Kjoge in 1677. Sources:

1. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
3. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.

Dutch Captain: Mozes Wichmans

Mozes Wichmans served the Admiralty of the Maze. He died in 1676. In 1671, he commanded the frigate Schiedam (24 guns). In 1672, he fought in the Battle of Solebay and commanded the frigate Harderwijk (24 guns). He probably fought in the Schooneveld battles and then in the Battle of the Texel. At the Texel, he was assigned to Aert van Nes's division. An interesting sidepoint is that the Dutch spelling in the journals in Dr. Bruijn's book is considerably different from the current spelling, although it is relatively easy to understand the mapping between them. In June 1674, Mozes Wichmans commanded the fluit Moriaans Hoofd in De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique. His ship carried 136 soldiers. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

3. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Some good information thanks to Mr. Carl Stapel

Mr. Carl Stapel sent me some good information today.

One thing he found was that Jacob Cleijdijck's ship that was sunk at the Battle of Portland on February 28, 1653, was named the Meerman. We know from other sources that the Meerman carried 30 guns and had a crew of 120 men. The Meerman was a Director's ship of Rotterdam (or the Maze).

Another piece of information that Carl Stapel pointed me to was in Captain Warnsinck's book about Pieter de Bitter. In there, we find that Pieter de Bitter commmanded the Mercurius, a VOC ship, in 1653. The Mercurius carried 40 guns and had a crew of 200 men, according to Captain Warnsinck.

Then, there is a list of five Admiralty of Amsterdam ships that left for the Mediterranean in March 1650, under the command of Johan van Galen:

Ship        Built      Guns Crew Captain
Maen                             Jan van Galen
Leeuwarden  1645       34   130  Gideon de Wildt
Morgenster  1644       28   110  Cornelis Tromp
Ver. Prov   1643       36   140  Hendrick Swart
Hazewind    1649,jacht 16    80  Cornelis van Velsen

Dutch Captain: Matthijs Dirkszoon Pijl

Matthis Dirkszoon Pijl served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. Prof. Bruijn says of him that he was "first lieutenant of the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier". Matthijs Dirkszoon Pijl commanded the Wapen van Holland (44 guns) at the Battle of the Texel. He had been appointed as captain of the Wapen van Holland on June 7, 1673. Andrew says that he seems to have continued his career with the Danish navy, starting from 1676, first as a captain and later as a rear-admiral. He fought in the Battle of Kjöge Bay in 1677. In that Battle, Andrew says that the Charlotte Amalie (64 guns) was Pijl's flagship. There is a Danish source that says that he died in 1678. Sources:

1. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Dutch Captain: Abraham Ferdinand van Zijll

Abraham Ferdinand van Zijll lived from about 1640 until 3 August 1697. He served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He was appointed as a lieutenant in 1665 and served on the Vergulde Zon (44 guns) and fought in the Battle of Lowestoft. In 1666, he fought in the Four Days' Battle on the Muiltromp (46 guns). He distinguished himself in the St. James's Day Battle in August 1666 in the defense against fireships. He was appointed as a captain in 1667. He commanded the Leeuwen (50 guns) in the Raid on Chatham and the Raid on Chatham. From 1672 until 1674, eh served under Binckes in the expedition to the West Indies and New Netherlands. In 1676, he served in the north under Cornelis Tromp. He captured a Swede, fought in Bornholm and Oland. In 1683, he served under Schepers in the expedition to Gothenburg. In 1688, he commanded the Elswoud (60 guns) in the armada that took Willem III to England. In 1689, he took part in the conquest of Cork. In 1690, he commanded the Reigersbergen at Beachy Head. In 1693, he was in the convoy service under Van der Goes on the Spanish coast. In 1696, he commanded a squadron in the North Sea. In 1697, he commanded the 't Loo (64 guns) in a small squadron in the West Indies, and died there. This is based on my translation of the piece in Mollema's "Honor Roll". It is supplemented from my list of Dutch ships and Brandt.

Dutch Ship Henriette Louise

Mr. Carl Stapel found an interesting document that was in the Jaarboek van het Fries Scheepvaart Museum from 1982, and was on pages 42-84. The piece was called "Admiraliteit van Friesland" and was written by C.W.J. Shaap. Carl writes that Schaap listed "every ship ever used by the Admiralty of Friesland". Carl writes about the VOC ship Henriette Louise (or Louise Henriette) (of 40/50 guns) built in 1637 and hired from 1652-1654. The Middelburg Chamber of the VOC "rented the ship to the state", apparently at no charge. In November 1652, like several other ships, the crew mutinied as "the ship was dirty and unfit the sail or fight". The ship was paid off and released on 24 December 1652. In July 1653, the refitted ship joined the fleet at Vlissingen. "It took part at the battle of Ter Heide ( 10 aug ). Oncemore the crew mutined and the officers were forced to leave the fleet or otherwise be captured. They ignored an order by Johan Evertsen to join the fleet and sailed to Goeree. In 1654 the ship was returned to the VOC." This is information that probably is not widely known.

Dutch Captain: Nikolaas Boes

We have very little information about Nikolaas Boes. He served the Admiralty of Amsterdam and commanded the ship Jaarsveld (48 guns) at the Battle of Solebay. He was assigned to De Ruyter's squadron. The battle was fought on the port tack for 6 hours, and the Jaarsveld was dismasted and was fortunate to escape. The Jaarsveld was built in 1653 and had dimensions 130ft x 32ft x 13.5ft. Frequently, her crew was about 200 men. She carried as many as 52 guns, although not in the third war. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

Dutch Captain: Adriaan Bankert de Jonge

Adriaan van Trappen Bankert de Jonge was the son of Adriaan Bankert, the Lieutenant-Admiral. He died in 1678. He served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He commanded the frigate Delft during 1673 and 1674. He was certainly present for the first Schooneveld battle, and perhaps, the second. He fought in the Battle of the Texel in August 1673. He was assigned to Cornelis Evertsen de Jonge's division within his father's squadron. In June 1674, he was in De Ruyter's fleet on the expedition to Martinique. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
3. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Dutch Captain: Jan van Abkoude

Jan van Abkoude served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He died in 1680. He commanded the frigate Oudkarspel (34 guns) in the Battle of the Texel in August 1673. He was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's division. In July 1675, he commanded the frigate Leiden (36 guns). He was with De Ruyter's fleet that was sent to the Mediterranean Sea. On 29 November 1675, he was assigned to De Ruyter's division. At Stromboli, he was in De Ruyter's Second Squadron. At Etna (Agosta), he was also in De Rutyer's squadron. His ship was apparently lost at the Battle of Palermo, when the combined Dutch-Spanish fleet was defeated. Sources:

1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
2. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

The Dutch ship: Wassenaer (1693)

This is another good piece by Mr. Carl Stapel. This is about the Wassenaer, built in 1693 by the Admiralty of the Maze:

Wassenaar  1693

Adm Name             Length  Beam      Hold       Guns      In service
M   Wassenaar        145ft   39-3/4ft  15-1/2ft   60        1692-1716

Built in Rotterdam in 1692 by Van Leeuwen and is an ship of the line of the 4th Rate.
Sistership = Zeelandia (1693)

Armament:  24-18pdr, 22-12pdr, and 14-4pdr

Date    Captain                   Guns Sailors Soldiers Notes
   1693 Cornelis van Brakel                             Cruising in the Channel           
 6/1695 Cornelis van Brakel       60   300              in harbor at Spithead
 9/1695 Cornelis van Brakel       60                     Mediterranean Sea and Spain 
   1696 Cornelis van Brakel       60   325              With Almonde in the Channel
   1697 Cornelis van Brakel       60                    Cruise in the North Sea
   1698 Cornelis van Brakel       60 
 5/1699 Jan van der Goes          60                    Convoy service in the
                                                         Mediterranean Sea
   1700 Jan van der Goes          60                    in the Mediterranean Sea    
   1701      Laid up                                            
   1702 Jacob van Cooperen        60                    Battle of Vigos
   1703 Johan van Convent         60                    26-4 to 17-9 in 
                                                         the North Sea squadron.
   1704 Cornelis van Brakel       64                    In a calm, attacked by 
                                                         galleys from Ostende
   1707 Cornelis van der Graaf    64                    in the Mediterranean Sea
11/1708 Cornelis van der Graaf    64                    in the Netherlands

The second ship with this name and named after the glorious country estate.
It was built with extraordinary funds.
In 1716, the ship was useless and sold for breaking up.

Dutch Captain: Joris Andringa

Joris Andringa lived from 1635 until 28 May 1676. He was secretary of the States' Fleet from 1666 until 1674. He served the Admiralties of Friesland and Amsterdam. In 1664, he served as secretary to De Ruyter in the Mediterranean Sea an din the West Indies. He also served as secretary to De Ruyter from 1665 until 1666. In 1673, he was wounded in the Battle of the Texel and was promoted to captain. He commanded the Stad en Lande (54 guns) in De Ruyter's fleet that was sent to the Mediterranean Sea in 1675. He fought in the battles near Sicily (Andrew says Stromboli, Agosta (Etna), and Palermo), but died in the epidemic of sickness that swept the fleet. Sources:

1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
2. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.
3. J. C. Mollema, De Eere Rol, from Geschiedenis van Nederland ter Zee, Vol.II, 1940.

Dutch Captain: Jan Heck

Jan Heck served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He started the First Anglo-Dutch War in command of the hired ship Adam en Eva, which was serving as fishery protection convoyer. The Adam en Eva (24 guns) was captured in July 1652 when Robert Blake's fleet attacked the Dutch fishing busses and their convoyers. In 1652, the English had not started their collection of captured Dutch captains, so Jan Heck was quickly repatriated. He was given command of the Eenhoorn, to which The First Dutch War referred as a hired ship, one of the 100 ships hired in 1652. Since in July 1654, the Staet van Oorlog te Water for 1654 clearly indicates that the ship was the ship built in 1625 (which has been called the "patriarch" of the Dutch navy, due to its age), this must have been the States' ship. There is a note that says that in the spring of 1653, the Eenhoorn had been damaged in the last battle, which almost certainly was the Battle of Portland. We next see Jan Heck mentioned in 1666, when he commanded the Caleb (47 guns) in the St. James's Day Battle. In 1667 and 1672, he commanded the Justina van Nassau. He took part in the Raid on Chatham in May 1667. He also took part in the Raid on Harwich in July. In 1672, he commanded the Justina van Nassau in the Battle of Solebay. In 1673, he was the oldest captain serving the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He commanded the Westfriesland in the Schooneveld battles and the Battle of the Texel. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2005.

2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

3. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

4. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Dutch Captain: Jacob van Berchem

Jacob van Berchem served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. Sadly, I do not have much information about him. We know that he served in De Ruyter's fleet sent to the Sound in 1659-1660. In that fleet, he commanded the Tromp (or Muiltromp). The Tromp was built in 1655 at Amsterdam, probably in the continuation of the First Anglo-Dutch War building program. In 1659, the Tromp carried 40 guns and had a crew of 190 men. Her dimensions were 130ft x 32ft x 13-1/2ft. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
2. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.
3. G. L. Grove, Journalen van de Admiralen Van Wassenaer-Obdam (1658/59) en De Ruyter (1659/60), 1907.

Dutch Captain: Jacob Dirkszoon Boom

Jacob Dirkszoon Boom commanded the Amsterdam frigate IJlst during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. We first see him in the published literature serving in De Ruyter's fleet in August 1665. In 1666, he fought in the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle. In the Four Days' Battle, the IJlst had five killed and 11 wounded. The IJlst was a relatively new ship, having been completed about 1663. Her dimensions were 114ft x 28ft x 11ft. In August 1665, she carried 36 guns. At the Four Days' Battle, she carried 34 guns. On the lower tier, she carried 6-12pdr and 12-8pdr. On the upper tier, she carried 12-6pdr. On the quarterdeck, she carried 4-2pdr. Her crew at the Four Days' Battle was about 116 sailors and 20 soldiers. She suffered heavily in masts and spars, and was heavily engaged for a time. She was attached to Cornelis Tromp's squadron in both the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle. Sources:

1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
2. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.
3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Dutch Captain: Jan Noirot

Jan Noirot served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In July 1672, he commanded the Beschermer (50 guns). In 1673, he commanded the small frigate Popkensburg (24 guns). He fought in the first Schooneveld battle, and probably in the second. In August 1673, he fought in the Battle of the Texel. In that battle, he was assigned to Isaac Sweers' division. In 1674, he commanded the Graaf Floris fluit (12 guns) in Michiel De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique. The Graaf Floris transported 137 soldiers in that operation. In July 1675, he was with De Ruyter's fleet sent to the Mediterranean Sea. He commanded the frigate Groenwijf (36 guns). Andrew says that he fought in the battles of Stromboli, Agosta (Etna), and Palermo in 1676. Sources:

1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

2. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Dutch Captain: Hendrik Vollenhoven

Hendrik Vollehoven served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He lived from about 1630 until 28 September 1669. In 1665, he commanded the old ship Zon at the Battle of Lowestoft (where the Zon carried 48 guns) and in De Ruyter's fleet in August 1665 (where the Zon carried 5o guns). In 1666, he commanded the Tromp (or Muiltromp) and fought in the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle (the Two Days' Battle). In May 1667, he took part in the Raid on Chatham, where he was Van Ghent's flag captain (according to Mollema), although Brandt lists him as commanding the Agatha (50 guns) in the 3rd Squadron. Sources:

1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
3. J. C. Mollema, De Eere Rol, from Geschiedenis van Nederland ter Zee, Vol.II, 1940.

The Noorderkwartier 3-decker Beschermer

This is based on my translation of a piece from Mr. Carl Stapel:

Beschermer 1690  three-decker

                                   Length Beam Hold Guns  In service
N   Beschermer  or Bescherminge    170    43   16   90    1690–1721

Built in 1690 at Enkhuizen-a ship of the first rate-three decker. 

Armament: 12-30pdr; 18-24pdr; 30-18pdr; 24-6pdr; and 6-4pdr 

Date   Captain                   Guns Crew Notes
5/1692 Jan van der Poel          84 !      Battle of La Hougue
  1693 C. Muys                   90        In Channel Fleet under P v Almonde  
  1696 Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer  90   475  With Almonde in the North Sea
  1702 Lt-Adm Gerard Callenburgh 90        naar Cadiz en Vigos
  1705 Jan de Jongh              92   500  Capture of Gibraltar and Battle of Malaga   

Sold in 1721 because of age.

Dutch Captain: Egbert Pieterszoon Quispel

Egbert Pieterszoon Quispel served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He fought in the Four Days' Battle as Frederik Stachouwer's flag captain on the Maagd van Enkhuizen 72 guns) (or Wapen van Enkhuizen). Stachouwer apparently killed on the second day of the Four Days' Battle. Egbert Quispel continued to guide the Maagd van Enkhuizen for another day, and then headed for Vlissingen to repair the heavy damage. The Maagd van Enkhuizen had been built at Amsterdam in 1665. Her dimensions were 150ft x 39ft x 14ft. Her crew at the Four Days' Battle was 260 sailors and 51 soldiers. She lost 19 killed, including Frederik Stachouwer. She Carried 72 guns, including: 4-brass 24pdr, 4-brass 18pdr, 18-18pdr, 2-brass 12pdr, 24-12pdr, and 20-6pdr. Sources:

1. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.
2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Carl Stapel's piece on Roemer Vlacq

This is my translation of Mr. Carl Stapel's piece about Roemer Vlacq, the Dutch captain.

          Roemer Vlacq

Admiralty of Amsterdam

Born:         1637 at Gouda
Married:
Died:      17-07-1703, died from wounds suffered in fight against Coetlogon

1683: captain
1671: commandeur


1671: he commanded the adviesjacht the Kits (6/12) in the coastguard

1672 June. He commanded the frigate Postiljon (78 sailors) in the
         Battle of Solebay and had two dead, 5 severely wounded,
         and 4 lightly wounded, while serving in
         Michiel De Ruyter's squadron.

1673       7 June. He fought on board the frigate Brak (built in 1666,
                 24 guns, and a crew of 83 sailors and 17 soldiers)
                 in the first Schoonveld battle.
         14 June. In the same ship, he fought in the second Schooneveld battle.
         21 Aug  In the Battle of the Texel (Kijkduin),
                 he again commanded the frigate Brak.
1674       He commanded the transport ship Opperdoes (16 guns) under
         De Ruyter at Martinique.
1676       In March 1676, with Jacob Binckes, voyage to the West on
         board the Huis te Kruiningen (built in 1653, with 56 guns)
1677       3 March. Battle of Tobago. The Huis te Kruiningen was lost and Roemer
         Vlacq was severely wounded. He returned in October to the Nethelands.
1678       He convoyed merchant ships to Biscay.
1690       He was a convoyer in the Sound.
1691       idem
1692       He was ashore, due to insubordination.
1693       He was ashore.
1694       He was ashore.
1695       He was ashore.
1696       14 February. Willem III lifted his suspension and restored him to
         to the service of the Admirality of Amsterdam, and restored
         his dignity.
1697       He was a convoyer
1698       idem
1699       idem
1700       idem
1701       idem
1702       idem

He commanded the Muiderberg (built in 1693, with 50 guns and a crew of 210) in a convoy, with a squadron of 5 warships and 100 merchantships from Lisbon to the Netherlands on 22 May 1703. He met 5 large French warships under the command of Rear-Admiral Coetlogon. Vlacq distinguished himself in a fight against 2 French three deckers of 90 guns, and saved the merchantships. All the States' warships were lost, however. Vlacq was severely wounded and was taken, with the other prisoners, to Toulon. Roemer Vlacq died there on 17 July 1703 from his wounds. The remaining captains were repatriated in October to their native country.

Dutch Naval Officer: Geleyn Evertsen

Geleyn Evertsen served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He was born on 22 January 22 1655 at Vlissingen, and he died at Middelburg on 25 July 1721. He was appointed as a captain in 1679, a schout-bij-nacht on 1 April 1684, vice-admiral on 17 April 1695, and lieutenant-admiral on 22 June 1707. In 1672 and 1673, he served as a lieutenant, having been appointed in 1672. He fought in the battles of Solebay, Schooneveld, and the Texel. In 1674, he served under De Ruyter in the expedition to Martinique and was wounded. In 1683, he served under Admiral Schepers in the Sound. In 1688, he served as a Schout-bij-Nacht in the fleet that took Willem III to England. IN 1690, he served under Almonde on the Spanish coast. He also took part in the capture of Cork and Kinsdale. In 1692, he distinguished himself in the Battle of La Hougue. From 1693 to 1697, he commanded in the North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, on the Schelde, and in the convoy service to Spain. From 1700 to 1703, he commanded on the Schelde. He blockaded Dunkirk and commanded in the North Sea squadron. Sources:

1. Luc Eekhout, Het Admiralenboek, 1992.
2. J.C. Mollema, De Eere Rol, from Geschiedenis van Nederland ter Zee, Vol.II, 1940.

Dutch Captain: Michiel Suis

Michiel Suis served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1666, he commanded the Campen (or Kampen) (46 guns). He fought in the Four Days' Battle, where he was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's squadron. He may have been in the rear division, under the command of Abraham van der Hulst, but we cannot be sure, as some of those ships listed in Frank Fox's book may have actually been in the van, not the rear. Michiel Suis also fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was in Cornelis Tromp's division. In 1667, he commanded the newer ship Stad Gouda (46 guns) in the Raid on Chatham, in May, and the Raid on Harwich, in July. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

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

Dutch Captain: Jan du Bois

Jan du Bois served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He commanded the ship Vrede during 1666 and 1667. He fought in the Four Days' Battle, but must not have been heavily engaged, as the Vrede only had one wounded and none killed. He was assigned to Jan Janszoon van Nes's division in the battle. He also fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was in the same unit. In May of 1667, he took part in the Raid on Chatham. In July, he was at the Raid on Harwich. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

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

Dutch Captain: Francois Palm

Francois Palm served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He lived from about 1620 until 11 August 1674. Her entered the army in 1665 as a captain. He entered the marines as a lieutenant-colonel. He was a colonel in 1672. He commanded the Kruiningen (60 guns) in the Four Days' Battle and the Oisterwijk (68 guns) in the St. James's Day Battle in 1666. In 1667, he commanded the Deventer (62 guns) in the Raid on Chatham. In 1672, he was intended for the fireship attack at Solebay. He commanded the Waesdorp in the Battle of Solebay. The Waesdorp lost 8 dead and 10 wounded in the battle. He was assigned to Michiel De Ruyter's squadron. In 1672, he distinguished himself at the waterline at Naarden and Woerden. He was killed in 1674 at the Battle of Senef. This was apparently a land battle between the Dutch and Spanish armies, as allies against the French. The French were led by the redoubtable Prince Condé, while the Dutch were led by Willem III, Prince of Orange. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
3. J. C. Mollema, De Eere Rol, from Geschiedenis van Nederland ter Zee, Vol.II, 1940.

Dutch frigate Rotterdam (1678)

This is my translation of information from Mr. Carl Stapel, whom we thank.

Rotterdam frigate 1678

                                       Length Beam     Hold
Admiralty of the Maze     Rotterdam    120ft  32-1/4ft 12 ft    

44 guns In service from  1678 to 1694

Built in 1678 at Rotterdam by van Den Tempel.

Date   Captain               Guns Crew Notes
1688   Cornelis van Convent  44   170  With the fleet that took Willem III to England
1690   Matthijs Paradijs     44        Convoyer in the North Sea
1691   Samuel Forman         44        Convoyer to Portugal
1692   Samuel Forman         44        Convoyer to Portugal. In battle with French
                                       privateers and took away their English prize.
1693   Jean le Beau          44        Convoyer in the North Sea
1694   Jean le Beau          44        Convoyer in the North Sea   
7/1694 Matthias de la Cave   44        Convoyer of the packet boat    

On 15 July 1694, he met Jean Bart, fought with him, but while turning collided, and the captain and 300, including 150 passengers were lost, with only 15 saved by the Dunkirkers.

Dutch Captain: Evert van Gelder

In August 1665, Evert van Gelder commanded the VOC ship Gelderesche Ruiter (46 guns). He had been at sea with De Ruyter's fleet, when he and other ships became separated from the fleet, during their flight from the English fleet. His ship, and others, were taken by the English, when they were surprised by a larger force. In 1666, Evert van Gelder commanded the Klein Hollandia (54 guns). He fought in the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle. In 1667, he commanded the Gelderland, and took part in the Raid on Chatham in May and the Raid on Harwich in July. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Dutch Captain: Willem Mariniszoon (or Marinissen)

Willem Mariniszoon served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He commanded the frigate Zeeridder during most of 1665 and 1666. By December 1666, he had been relieved by Pieter Mauregnault. In June 1665, he Willem Mariniszoon fought in the Battle of Lowestoft. He was assigned to Cornelis Evertsen de Oude's division. At the Four Days' Battle, he was just assigned to Cornelis Evertsen's squadron, as a frigate. At Lowestoft, the Zeeridder may have been acting as a small ship of the line. At the St. James's Day Battle, he was attached to Jan Evertsen's squadron, with the Zeeridder acting as a frigate.

Notes:

Zeeridder   built in 1653
Dimesions:  116ft x 28ft x 11.5ft

Date   Guns Sailors Marines Soldiers Gun list:
6/1665 34   154            
8/1665 34   101     22      44
6/1666 36   118             40       2-18pdr, 14-12pdr, 14-6pdr, 6-3&4pdr
8/1666 34   175                

Dutch Captain: Huybert Jacobszoon Huygen

Huybert Jacobszoon Huygen served the Admiralty of the Maze. In August 1665, he commanded the Klein Hollandia (57 guns and a crew of 120 sailors, 14 marines, and 48 soldiers). In 1666, he commanded the Gorcum (or Gorinchem). He fought in the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle. In the Four Days' Battle, the Gorcum had 3 men killed and 6 wounded. The Gorcum had been built at Rotterdam in 1639. Her dimensions were 116ft x 27ft x 11ft, one of a standard series that were built in 1639. At the Foru Days' Battle, she carried 34 guns, consisting of 2-brass 15pdr, 16-12pdr, 4-6pdr, 6-5pdr, 2-4pdr (?), and 4-3pdr. Her crew in the battle was 116 sailors and 20 soldiers. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

3. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.

The Amsterdam ship Gelderland (1656)

Mr. Carl Stapel sent us information about the Amsterdam ship Gelderland. The Gelderland was completed in 1656:

Gelderland 1656

Amsterdam   Gelderland                                                                        40 guns                    1656-1659

Date   Captain               Guns Sailors Soldiers  Notes
1656   Pieter van Zalingen   44   155     --        Expedition to Danzig  
1657   Jan den Haen          42                     Cruising off the coast 
1659   Hendrik Adriaansz     40   190      
April 59 to Sept 60                                 To the Sound 

Last mentioned in 1659

Notes: A. Vreugdenhil

Dutch Captain: Juriaan Juriaanszoon Poel

Juriaan Juriaanszoon Poel served the Admiralty of the Maze. In 1659, he was with De Ruyter's fleet in the Sound. He commanded the Gelderland (40 guns) that had been completed in 1634. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, in June 1665, where he commanded a VOC ship, the Delfland (70 guns). He seems to have survived the battle and the recriminations, as he commanded the frigate Vrede (34 guns) at the St. James's Day Battle in August 1666 (July 25th, old style). He was not present at the Four Days' Battle, in June. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

3. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.

Dutch Captain: Franscois van Nijdek

Franscois (or Frans) van Nijdek served the Admiralty of the Maze. He commanded the frigate Briel (21 guns) in 1665. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, in June. At the Four Days Batle and the St. James's Day Battle, he commanded the Prinses Louise, Witte de With's old flagship. He also commanded the Prinses Louise in the Raid on Chatham, in May 1667, and on the Raid on Harwich in July. He commanded the frigate Schiedam at the Battle of Solebay, in May 1672. He apparently continued in the Schiedam (20 guns) in July and September. In 1673, he commanded the Dordrecht (44 guns). He fought in the Schooneveld battles and the Battle of the Texel. At the Battle of the Texel, he was assigned to Jan de Liefde's division. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

3. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Dutch Captain: Jacob Mauregnault

I had not thought that there was enough information available about Jacob Mauregnault to write about hi, but I was wrong. Jacob Mauregnault served the Admiralty of Zeeland. Dr. Weber said that Jacob Mauregnault had been flag captain of the Tholen, along with Jacques Woleresse, for Adriaan Banckert at the Four Days Battle. He was at the St. James's Day Battle, as well, according to Sir Thomas Allin's journal. They abandoned the heavliy damaged Tholen, which was taken by the English and burnt by them. In December 1666, he set sail in the Zeeridder (34 guns and a crew of 167 men) with Abraham Crijnssen's squadron, bound for the Caribbean. He commanded on the outward voyage, but he was succeeded by captain Rochus Bastaert, who had been captain of the Wester-Souburg. Frans Roy succeeded Rochuas Bastaert in command of the Wester-Souburg. Captain Warnsinck suggests that he disppeared because he died in Suriname. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.I 1660-1666, 1939.
2. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.
3. J. C. M. Warnsinck, Abraham Crijnssen de verovering van Suriname en zijn zeeslag op Virginië, 1936.

Dutch Captain: Thomas Fabricius (or Fabritius)

Thomas Fabricius served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft in June 1665. He commanded the Huis te Jaarsveld (or Jaarsveld). He still commanded the Huis te Jaarsveld in August. In 1666, he commanded the larger Huis Tijdverdrijf. He fought in the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle in 1666. The Huis te Jaarsveld was built in 1653 and had dimensions of 130ft x 32ft x 13.5ft. She carried somewhere between 48 and 50 guns and had a crew of about 200 men in this period. The Huis Tijdverdrijf had been completed in 1655 and had dimensions of 135ft x 34ft x 14ft. Her crew varied considerably. At the Four Days' Battle, her crew was 237 men. At the St. James's Day Battle, her crew was 291 men. At the Four Days' Battle, she carried 22-18pdr, 22-8pdr, and 16-3pdr. This was a time when the Dutch seemed more interested in having larger numbers of guns at the expense of broadside weight.

Dutch Captain: Jeroen (or Jan?) Adelaar

At the beginning of the First Anglo-Dutch War, Jeroen Adelaar commanded a hired ship, the Middelburg (30 guns and a crew of 100 men). While he was headed to join a convoy to France, his ship was captured. The Middelburg was a suitable warship, so the English employed her during the war. There is some evidence to suppose that Jeroen and Jan Adelaar were the same man. We know that Jeroen Adelaar commanded the Raadhuis van Haarlem in 1658. We also know that Jan Adelaar commanded the Raadhuis van Haarlem at the Battle of Lowestoft and in August 1665. Perhaps he was a relative, but the fact that Jan Adelaar commanded the Zutphen in 1656, on the expedition to Danzig, might be a clue that the overlapping service was for the same man. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2005.
3. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
4. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
5. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.