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 James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.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