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Monday, October 31, 2005

Dutch Captain: Gerrit Boos

Gerrit Boos served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. In August 1665, he commanded the old frigate Kasteel van Medemblik (30 guns). He was assigned to Tjerk Hiddes de Vries's Fourth Squadron. In May 1667, he commanded the Prins van Oranje (62 guns) with de Ruyter's fleet in the Channel. In the actual Raid on Chatham, he was assigned to Aert van Nes's Second Squadron. On 15 July 1667, he was with the fleet near the Thames. At different times, his ship was variously called the Jonge Prins, Prins van Oranje, or Prins Willem. In 1671, hecommanded the Drie Helden Davids with the fleet. He was assigned to Van Ghent's squadron. Sources:
  1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
  2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst tocht naar Chatham", 2005.

Sunday, October 30, 2005

Dutch Captain: Laurens Bruijn

Laurens Bruijn (Bruin, or de Bruyn) served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he commanded the small frigate Fortuijn (14 guns). He was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's Fifth Squadron. In August, he commanded the Maecht van Enkhuizen (38 guns) with the fleet. He was assigned to Cornelis Evertsen's squadron. In May 1667, he commanded the frigate or three-masted jacht Postiljon (20 guns) with De Ruyter's fleet in the Channel. In the actual Raid on Chatham, he was in the Postiljon, and was assigned to Aert van Nes's Second 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. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst tocht naar Chatham", 2005.

Saturday, October 29, 2005

I can correct one problem in Vol.V of The First Dutch War

I see that I can correct on error that occurs on page 186 in Vol.V of The First Dutch War. There is a list of four fireships from the Admiralty of Amsterdam. They list, which is translated into English has four vessels:
  1. the ship Cleyne (clearly an error)
  2. the Fortune
  3. the Great Hope
  4. the Sun
I happen to have a copy of a manuscript from that period (later in June 1653). This list in the manuscript has the following:
  1. the ship the Klein Hoop - Commandeur Jan Claesz.
  2. the ship the Fortuijn - Commandeur Schoonevelt
  3. the ship the Groot Hoop - Comandeur Cornelis de Joris (the last name could be wrong-could be Heris)
  4. the ship the Zon - Commandeur Warnaer Crimp

Friday, October 28, 2005

English Captain: Christopher Gunman

Christopher Gunman served in the Restoration navy. One question is if he was the same as the noted cartographer. Clowes mentions Captain Christopher Gunman was one "of the most noted cartographers." In 1666, he commanded the Dutch prize Orange Tree (26 guns). He distinguished himself in two actions. In the second, he lost an arm. He had been cruising with the French Victory, commanded by Thomas Scott, when they chased two Dutch warships. He had been operating off Guernsey. On 3 June, his ship was in port at Plymouth. On 25 July 1666, he was at sea, cruising in the Channel. In 1667, he commanded the Reserve. In 1669, he was appointed to command the Forester. Later in 1669, he commanded the Anne yacht. In 1672, he was appointed as 2nd Captain of the Prince. In April 1672, he helped conduct a survey of the bread in the fleet. He fought in the Battle of Solebay, and his journal has helped to document the movements during the battle. Sadly, he was not a prominent enough figure for his journal to be included in Anderson's book. After John Cox was killed, Christopher Gunman became flag captain. In 1673, he was back as captain of the Anne yacht. On 23 September 1677, the King appointed him as captain of the Mary yacht. The commissioners reappointed him as captain of the Mary yacht on 22 October 1681. He was reappointed again on 23 June 1682. He was dismissed from the service "by a courtmartial for the loss of the Gloucester". The Gloucester had been taking the Duke of York to Leith. The ship was commanded by Sir John Berry, but navigation was entrusted to Captain James Aire. The Gloucester was wrecked on the Lemon and Oar. At least 130 were lost. There is a memo by Christopher Gunman that suggests that it was part of a plot to kill the Duke of York. Sources:
  1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
  2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
  3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Thursday, October 27, 2005

English Captain: Tobias Sackler (Updated)

English captain Tobias Sackler served at the end of the Commonwealth and in the Restoration navy. In 1660, before the Restoration, he commanded the Blackmoor pink. After the Restoration, he continued as captain of the Blackmoor pink. In 1663, he was appointed to command the 6th Rate Drake. We know that in May and June 1664, he commanded the Drake and was in the vicinity of the Downs. In 1665, he commanded the old 4th Rate Expedition. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he was assigned to Sir Christopher Myngs' division in the White Squadron. He fought in the Four Days' Battle, again in Sir Christopher Myng's division in the Blue Squadron. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle in the Expedition. He was still in Sir Christopher Myng's division, again in the Blue Squadron, under the command of Prince Rupert. Tobias Sackler was removed from his command after the battle, as he was thought to have not come into line when he could have, and had fired through English ships, contrary to orders. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.I 1660-1666, 1939.
  2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
  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.

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

English Captain: John Fortescue, Sr.

John Fortescue, Sr. served in the Restoration navy. In 1661, he commanded the Colchester. On 9 December 1661, he took a message to Sir Thomas Allin at Cadiz. In early September 1662, he was in the Downs. The Colchester seems to have been used for carrying passengers (or prisoners) and dispatches. In late 1662, he commanded the Hound, although Anderson's book of Sir Thomas Allin's journals indicates that John Fortescue was still in the Colchester. On 24 May 1665, the Duke of Albemarle appointed him as captain of the hired ship Loyal Subject. He commanded her until 15 September 1666. At the time of the Battle of Lowestoft, the Loyal Subject was lying in the Medway, fitting out. His first assignment was to convoy returning East Indiamen from Kinsale, along with the Baltimore. He joined the fleet on 6 September and took part in the action on 9 September. The Loyal Subject was kept in service for the Winter Guard, and was a convoyer "for the Hamburg trade". John Fortescue fought in the Four Days' Battle, where the Loyal Subject (56 guns) was severely damaged. He had been assigned to Sir Thomas Teddiman's division in the Blue Squadron. He was wounded in the battle. The ship was not repaired and was released on 15 September. In 1667, he commanded the Dutch prize Charles V (Carolus Quintus). In 1668, he commanded the French Victory. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.I 1660-1666, 1939.
  2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
  3. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
  4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

How about the battles in the Mediterranean Sea in 1676 as Privateers Bounty scenarios?

Andrew has been providing French and Spanish OOB's for the battles in the Mediterranean Sea in 1676. I also have the Dutch OOB's from Brandt's biography of De Ruyter. I will need to generate the ship data, but the numbers of ships involved are small enough that the battles are ideal for Privateers Bounty.

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

English Captain: John Fletcher

John Fletcher (or Flatcher) served in the Restoration navy. He was appointed captain of the Eagle in 1660. The next appointment was to the Little Gift in 1667. In 1669, he was lieutenant of the Foresight. In 1672, he captain of the French Victory prize. He "lost his ship and fled from trial". On April 29th, the day that De Ruyter's fleet sailed from the Texel, "38 ships left the Nore for Portsmouth, where it had been decided to meet the French." On May 5th, the French Victory (38 guns) had been taken by the Dutch. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
  2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Monday, October 24, 2005

English Captain: Stephen Pyend

Stephen Pyend served in the Restoration navy. The Duke of York appointed him as lieutenant on the 2nd Rate St. George in 1664. In 1665, he was lieutenant on the Guernsey. Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle appointed him as captain of the 4th Rate Amity. In 1672, he was captain of the Ruby. He fought in the Battle of Solebay in the Ruby. He was assigned to Sir Joseph Jordan's division in the Blue Squadron. In August, he was assigned to Sir John Harman's division in the Blue Squadron. He fought in the Schooneveld Battles in the Ruby (48 guns), where he was assigned to Sir John Kempthorne's division in the Blue Squadron. Later in 1673, he was captain of the Sovereign. He died sometime before 1689. 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. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
  4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
  5. J. C. M. Warnsinck, Admiraal De Ruyter De Zeeslag op Schooneveld Juni 1673, 1930.

Sunday, October 23, 2005

English Captain: Thomas Seale

Thomas Seale served in the Restoration navy. His first appointment was as lieutenant of the Resolution in 1663. In 1664, he was promoted to captain of the Milford. In the fall of 1664, he served under Sir Thomas Allin in the Mediterranean Sea. They had hoped to take the Dutch Smyrna fleet of 33 ships, but were largely unsuccessful. Thoams Seale may have fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, still in the Milford. In 1665, he was captain of the Breda. He took part in the attack on the Dutch at Bergen on 2 August 1665. He was killed in the battle. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.I 1660-1666, 1939.
  2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
  3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Saturday, October 22, 2005

English Captain: Joseph Harris

Joseph Harris served in the Restoration navy. In 1666, he was appointed captain of the fireship Lizard. He commanded the Lizard in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was assigned to the Red Squadron. Later in 1666, he was captain of the fireship Wild Boar. In 1671, he was First Lieutenant of the Diamond. By 1672, he was captain of the fireship Ann and Judith. He fought in the Battle of Solebay. He staged an attack on a Dutch ship, at the urging of John Kempthorne, but was not able to get a good grapple of the enemy ship, so his ship burnt,but did not catch the Dutch ship on fire. John Kempthorne wrote that the attack was "gallantly performed". Later in 1672, he was captain of the Emsworth sloop. In 1673, Prince Rupert appointed him to command first the Nightingale and then the Constant Warwick. On March 10, 1673, the Nightingale (18 guns), under Joseph Harris's command, along with the Crown (42 guns), sighted three Dutch warships, one of which carried 44 guns. They fought an action against them, before the Dutch ships disengaged and fled. The Nightingale and Crown chased them for seven hours, but they escaped. In recognition of his valor in this action, Joseph Harris was given command of the Constant Warwick. On 22 April 1675, the King appointed him to command the Quaker ketch. He was condemned to death by a courtmartial "for suffering dishonour", but was later pardoned, perhaps due to his previous faithful service. 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. 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.

Friday, October 21, 2005

English Captain: Richard Hodder

Richard Hodder served in the Restoration navy. He served most of his career as a lieutenant, often as First Lieutenant. In 1664, he was lieutenant of the Antelope. In 1666, he was lieutenant of the Dover. In 1671, he was reappointed as lieutenant of the Dover. In 1672, he was appointed as First Lieutenant of the old 2nd Rate Rainbow. In 1673, he was First Lieutenant of the Portland. On 9 March 1674, the King appointed him as First Lieutenant of the Garland. His one command was the Garland. The King appointed him as captain of the Garland on 23 April 1677. On 2 October 1684, the King appointed him as First Lieutenant of the Phoenix. Sources:
  1. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Thursday, October 20, 2005

English Captain: John Kelsey

John Kelsey served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he commanded the fireship Little Unicorn. He fought in the Four Days' Battle in June 1666, where he still commanded the Little Unicorn. He was attached to Sir Edward Spragge's division in the White Squadron. In 1666, he commanded three ships: first, the Great Gift fireship, then he was at least assigned to the Loyal London, and then the Constant John fireship. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where he commanded the Great Gift fireship. He was assigned to the Blue Squadron. In 1669, he commanded the Hardereen fireship (the Dutch prize Harderin). In 1672, he commanded the Rachel fireship. The Rachel served with the fleet in the fall and winter of 1672. In 1673, he commanded the Friendship fireship. He died sometime before 1688. 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.

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

English Captain: William Burke

William Burke served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, the Duke of Albemarle had appointed him as lieutenant of the Dutch prize St. Paul. Later in 1665, the Duke appointed him as lieutenant of the Bristol. In 1668, the Duke of York appointed him first as lieutenant of the Defiance, then the Cambridge. After that, still in 1668, he was captain of the Portsmouth sloop. In 1671, he was lieutenant of the Tiger. In 1674, the King appointed him as captain of the yacht Isle of Wight. Sources:
  1. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

English Captain: John Clements

John Clements served in the Restoration navy, and then he served in the navy for William and Mary. In 1667, he was appointed by the Duke of York to command the Merlin yacht. In 1671, he commanded the Monmouth yacht. In 1672, the Duke of York appointed him to command the Greyhound. The King reappointed him to command the Greyhound on 5 May 1679. The Commissioners appointed him to command the Cleveland yacht on 7 May 1680. He was reappointed to command the Cleveland yacht on 1 April 1685. King James II appointed him to command the Henrietta yacht on 4 May 1688. He was switched to the Katherine yacht on 18 May. The Lord Dartmouth appointed him to command the 3rd Rate Cambridge (70 guns) on 14 December 1688. He fought in the Battle of Bantry Bay on 1 May 1689, under the command of Admiral Herbert. In 1690, he fought in the Battle of Beachy Head, where he commanded the 3rd Rate Expedition (70 guns). He was assigned to the Red Squadron. In 1692, he fought in the Battle of Barfleur, where he commanded the 2nd Rate Duchess (90 guns). He was assigned to Sir John Ashby's Blue Squadron. John Clement's last command was the St. Andrew, which he left on 3 December 1693. Andrew writes, in addition that "probably under the patronage of Queen Anne's husband and Lord High Admiral, Prince George of Denmark, he was appointed the first Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hospital in 1704. He died within a few months, after which his widow presented this portrait to the Hospital." Sources:
  1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
  2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Monday, October 17, 2005

English Captain: Henry Priestman

This is based, on large part, on a communication from Andrew. Henry Priestman served in the Restoration navy and into William and Mary's navy. Henry (or Harry) Priestman lived from 1647 to 1712. He served in the navy from 1672 to 1699. Henry Priestman was Second Lieutenant of the Plymouth in 1672. On 23 August 1673, the King appointed him to command the Richmond. Andrew writes that his first command was the Antelope in 1672, and in the following year he was promoted to the command of the Richmond. He was sent in 1675 to the Mediterranean in command of the Lark. He was appointed to the Lark on 11 June 1675. On 7 January 1678 (they called it 1677, in the old style) he was appointed to the Swan, and, in the same year, to his first ship, the Antelope (on 12 April 1678), with instructions to guard the fishing at Yarmouth. On 9 July 1681, he was appointed to commanded the Reserve. In 1683 (appointed on 22 May), he commanded the Bonaventure in the Mediterranean and he was appointed Commodore in the Straits. He was sent in 1684 to Tetuan to treat with the Emperor of Morocco. During 1685, he was sick ashore, so his Lieutenant, Stafford Fairborne, commanded the Bonaventure (48 guns) in operations against the pirates. In 1688 (appointed on 8 November), he was placed in command of the Hampton Court and succeeded Sir William Booth. In March 1689, he was appointed as Comptroller of the Storekeeper's accounts, quitting that office on being nominated as a Commissioner for executing the office of Lord High Admiral. Luttrell mentions a report of his appointment as Governor of Greenwich Hospital in 1710, in place of Sir William Gifford. He died on August 20th, 1712, aged 65, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Sources:
  1. Personal communication from Andrew
  2. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
  3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Sunday, October 16, 2005

English Captain: Abraham Holditch

Abraham Holditch served in the Restoration navy. In 1661, he commanded the Dutch prize Sophia. In 1665, the Duke of York appointed him as lieutenant of the Revenge. Later in 1665, he was captain of the Dutch prize Mars. The Mars had been taken by the Assurance at the end of the Battle of Lowestoft. On August 8, 1665, he was appointed to command the Bendish. He commanded her until December 1, 1665. Sources:
  1. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
  2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Saturday, October 15, 2005

The undated list of ships "under the control of the Admiralty of Amsterdam"

There is an undated list in Vol.IV of The First Dutch War, on pages 308 to 310. This list has been very helpful, in that it matches ships with captains and gives guns and crew numbers. With my new system of wanting exact dates to go with information, this list is less useful. All we can do is to try and date the list, given its internals. There is the additional issue that the comments in the list may have been added at different dates. Given that Johan van Galen is listed as commanding the Vereenigde Provinciën, the list dates from prior to March 14, 1653. Given the comments about the Vrede, I have thought that the list dates from after the Battle of Portland. that would narrow the range to early March 1653. Given that Isaac Sweers' ship was sunk at Portland, that would seem to be valid. The note about Joris van der Zaan seems to only apply to his ship. He was killed at Portland. This list seems pretty clearly to be from March, after the 2nd (the end of the Battle of Portland) and before they had received word about the Battle of Livorno (fought on March 14).

Friday, October 14, 2005

English Captain: Casibelan Burton

Casibelan Burton served in the Restoration navy. The Duke of York appointed him lieutenant of the Warspite in 1666. In 1668, he was lieutenant of the Reserve. In 1670, he was appointed as lieutenant of the Greenwich. In 1672, he was First Lieutenant of the Warspite. He first command was the 6th Rate Drake, also in 1672. Later in 1672, he commanded the Holmes. On 13 November 1673, he was appointed as captain of the Hampshire. Finally, the King appointed him as captain of the Castle frigate on 15 June 1674. He died before 1689. 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.

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Dutch Captain: Cornelis Hollardt

Cornelis Hollardt served the Admiralty of Zeeland. In 1671 and into early 1672, he commanded the snauw Tijdverdrijf (6 guns), which served as an adviesjacht. He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he commanded the adviesjacht Bruijnvisch (6 guns). He was assigned to Lt-Admiral Banckert's squadron. He was still with the fleet on July 31, 1672, with Lt-Admiral Banckert. The only other place that we see him was with Cornelis Tromp's fleet sent to operate on the French coast in from May 1674. He commanded a 32-gun ship attached to Lt-Admiral Banckert's squadron. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
  2. Lambertus van den Bosch, Leven en Bedryf van den Vermaarden Zeeheld, Cornelis Tromp, 1692.
  3. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Dutch Captain: Cornelis van den Heuvel.

Cornelis van den Heuvel served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1673, he was second captain of Cornelis Tromp's flagship, the Gouden Leeuw. He rowed with Tromp, first to the Prins te Paard, and then to the Amsterdam. In 1674, he commanded the Steenbergen (68 guns), in Tromp's fleet that operated on the French coast. Andrew says that in "1676 he again served under Tromp and commanded the ship Waesdorp (68 guns, 268 men) in his fleet in the Baltic Sea. He fought at the Battle of Oland (June 1676) and in the operation near Rugen (Aug. 1676). Sources:
  1. Lambertus van den Bosch, Leven en Bedryf van den Vermaarden Zeeheld, Cornelis Tromp, 1692.
  2. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.
  3. Personal communication from Andrew C.

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jacob Huyrluyt

On May 22, 1652 (new style), Jacob Huyrluyt was convoy commander, with Joris van der Zaan as his vice-commander. Jacob Huyrluyt commanded the Zeelandia (the Zeelandia of 124ft built in 1643). Joris van der Zaan commanded the new ship Campen. They were escorting 7 straatsvaarders back from the Mediterranean Sea, when they encountered Anthony Young's ships off the Start. Shots were exchanged over the salute to the English colors, but Anthony Young backed off, as he was well aware of the tense situation and didn't want to be responsible for starting a war. In July and August 1652, Jacob Huyrluyt's lieutenant commanded the Zeelandia. According to Hendrik de Raedt's pamphlet, he was not with Tromp on the voyage to the Shetlands in July and August. The Admiralty of Amsterdam list from August 5th showed his ship with the fleet in, although commanded by his lieutenant. The only other note about him was that his ship was lying in the Texel in mid-April 1653. Sources:
  1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
  2. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

Monday, October 10, 2005

English Captain: Benjamin Young

Benjamin Young served in the Restoration navy. The Duke of York appointed him as captain of the Adventure in 1664. In 1666, Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle appointed him as captain of the Yarmouth. This was apparently on July 27, 1666. In 1668, the Duke of York appointed him as captain of the Algerian prize Fountain. In 1669, he became captain of the Advice. He was killed in a battle with Algerian warships in the Mediterranean Sea in July 1670. He was part of a convoying force under the command of Sir Edward Spragge. The Advice and the Guernsey fought 7 Algerian warships and beat them off from the convoy, but both captains were killed. Sources:
  1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
  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.

Sunday, October 09, 2005

English Captain: Hugh Seymour

Hugh Seymour served in the Restoration navy. The Duke of York appointed him as lieutenant of the Antelope in 1663. Later in 1663, the Duke of York appointed him as lieutenant of the Bristol. In 1664, he was lieutenant of the Hector. Again, later in 1664 he was lieutenant of the Pearl. He was promoted to captain in 1665. At the time of the Battle of Lowestoft in June 1666, he was operating around Ireland in the Pearl, as her captain. In 1666, he was appointed as captain of the Foresight (46 guns). In early June 1666, he was at Plymouth, commanding the Foresight. He was killed in the St. James's Day Battle on 25 July 1666 (old style). He had been assigned to the Generals' division in the Red Squadron. 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.

Saturday, October 08, 2005

Trivia time: Teunis Post was Allert Janszoon's skipper in 1652

On 6 August 1652, Antheunis Post (or Teunis Post) attended Tromp's council of war on the Brederode, after the storm hit the fleet off the Shetlands. It turns out that he was Allert Janszoon's skipper (schipper) on the Dubbele Arend, a ship belonging to the Admiralty of Zeeland. We know that, because a message from 28 December 1652 tells us that Teunis Post was temporarily in command and that he was Allert Janszoon's skipper. Presumably, this is the same Teunis Post who commanded the Parel adviesjacht in 1673.

Cornelis Corneliszoon Jol (Houtebeen)

Cornelis Corneliszoon Jol was a famous naval officer in the service of the West Indian Company. His nickname was Houtebeen (wooden leg), probably because he had lost part of one leg. He fought in the Battle of the Downs in 1639, where he had 7 ships in his squadron. His initial orders were to cruise at the north end of the downs to contain the Spanish while the others attacked. His ship was the Jupiter. Perhaps this is the ship depicted in an early drawing by Willem van de Velde, the Elder.

English Captain: William Copow

William Copow served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he was appointed as lieutenant of the 2nd Rate Rainbow. In 1667, he was appointed as lieutenant of the hired ship Loyal Subject. In 1668, he was lieutenant of the French Ruby. In 1673, Prince Rupert appointed him as lieutenant of the Mary Rose. On 18 June 1675, the King appointed him to command the Mary Rose. On 20 November 1677, the King appointed him as First Lieutenant of the Jersey. He died sometime before 1689. 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.

The Dutch ship Oranjegalei

Carl Stapel has the scoop on the Dutch row-frigate Oranjegalei. I wondered if it might have been inspired by the English vessels of that type. One nice feature of Carl's piece is that he has the armament. This is my translation and formatting of Carl's piece:
Oranjegalei  1697

Admiralty   Name           Length Beam    Hold  Guns   In service
Zeeland     Oranjegalei    130    37-3/4  13.5  44     1697-1739

Built by a Russian in 1697 at Vlissingen from their own resources

A frigate that in a calm could be rowed

Armament:  18-12pdr, 16-6pdr, 4-4pdr, and 2-3pdr

Date        Commander             Guns Crew Notes
 18-08-1704 SBN A. de Boer        44   140  Successful fight against 
                                             4 galleys from Ostende          
 24-04-1709 Captain Richard Wood  44        Fought against 4 privateers.
                                             Englishman Wood killed.
     6/1709 Michiel Gardeyn
       1722 Kornelis Wiltschut    44   250  In the Mediterranean Sea against
                                             Algerian pirates 
       1739      ?                          The ship lay at Veere   

Friday, October 07, 2005

Cornelis Tijbij was Bastiaan Tuyneman's lieutenant at Dover on 29 May 1652

I had not taken in the fact that Cornelis Tijbij was Bastiaan Tuyneman's lieutenant on the Sint Laurens, which was taken by the English off Dover on 29 May 1652. In August, Cornelis Tijbij now commanded the fireship Ostende, a frigate. Later in 1653, he commanded a Directors' ship from Zeeland, the Luipaard.

The Jakob en Anna fireship (1672)

This is my translation of a piece by Mr. Carl Stapel about the Jakob en Anna fireship.
Jakob en Anna fireship 1672

Amsterdam    Jakob en Anna        fireship                                                   In service from  1672*-1677

Date        Captain                 Guns    Notes
    5/1672  cmdr Dirk Klaaszoon     4       In May, with the fleet
 7-6/1673   Captain Jan Boomgaart   4       The First Schooneveld Battle
14-6/1673   Captain Jan Boomgaart   2       The Second Schooneveld Battle
21-8/1673   Captain Jan Boomgaart           The Battle of the Texel (Kijkduin)
   8/1675   cmdr Dirk Klaasz Herney         With De Ruyter in the Mediterranean Sea
 8-1/1676   cmdr Dirk Klaasz Herney         The Battle of Stromboli
22-4/1676   cmdr Dirk Klaasz Herney         The Battle of Etna
 1-6/1676   cmdr Dirk Klaasz Herney         The Battle of Palermo
     1677   cmdr Arent Ruighaver            In the Baltic
21-6/1677   cmdr Arent Ruighaver            Burnt a Swedish ship    

Thursday, October 06, 2005

English Captain: Levi Greene

Levi Greene served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, the Duke of York appointed him lieutenant of the Maryland Merchant. Later in 1665, he was lieutenant of the Delft prize. He was promoted to captain on 9 June 1666. In 1666, Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle appointed him as captain of the John and Thomas (48 guns). He fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was assigned to Sir Robert Holmes's division in the Red Squadron. Later in 1666, he was appointed to command the 2nd Rate Unicorn. In 1671, he was appointed as captain of the 4th Rate Diamond. In 1672, the Duke of York appointed him as captain of the Greenwich. He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he was assigned to Sir John Harman's division in the Red Squadron. The Greenwich took the Dutch Stavoren in the battle. He was discharged from the service after a courtmartial in 1672. 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, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
  4. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
  5. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

I have finally acknowledged that it was Jan Duijm who towed De Ruyter through the last two days of the Battle of Portland

I had thought that perhaps the name "Jan Duijm" was a mistake, and that it should have actually have been "Jacob Duijm" (or Duym). The latter's whole name was Jacob Claeszoon Duym. He served the Enkhuizen Directors and commanded the ship Vergulde Zon, which was lost at the Battle of the Gabbard. Jan Duijm seems to have been the same man as who commanded the ship Prins Willem (28 guns) at the Battle of the Sound in 1658. He served the Admiralty of Zeeland. I have seen his last name listed as "Daijm", but I have seen the handwritten Dutch from 1658, and it is clearly written "Duijm". It has been said that Jan Duijm fought in the Battle of Dungeness, but Jan Evertsen does not list him in his list of captains from December 1, 1652. The thought did occur to me that Jan Duijm could have been a lieutenant and been at Dungeness, without being listed by Jan Evertsen. In 1653, a number of lieutenants commanded ships. That was definitely the case at the Gabbard and Scheveningen. Anthonis Fappenlain was lieutenant of Tijs Tijmenszoon Peereboom's ship, the Peereboom. He commanded the ship at the Battle of Scheveningen. Bartholomeus Rietbeeck was another lieutenant who commanded a ship at the Gabbard (the Roseboom). Ulrich de Jaeger commmanded the Amsterdam Directors ship Nieuw Gideon. He had been lieutenant to Hector Bardesius in 1652. His full name was Ulrich Claeszoon de Jager (or Jaeger).

English Captain: Charles Montague (or Mountague)

Charles Montague (or Mountague) served in the Restoration navy. In early 1672, he was appointed by the Duke of York to command the 5th Rate Guernsey. Somewhat later, he commanded the Falcon (40 guns). He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he was assigned to the Earl of Sandwich's division in the Blue Squadron. In August 1672. he was assigned to Sir Edward Spragge's division in the Blue Squadron. 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. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
  4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

English Captain: James Ley, Earl of Marlborough

James Ley, the first Earl of Marlborough served the Royalist cause and in the Restoration navy. During 1643 to 1644, he commanded four ships for the Royalists. We know that he was appointed to command the Dunkirk in 1661. In 1665, he was appointed to command the Old James (68 guns). He was killed in action at the Battle of Lowestoft, on 3 June 1665 (old style). He had been assigned to the Duke of York's division in the Red Squadron. Frank Fox says that the Earl of Marlborough "had spent most of his life at sea, as after his family had lost their estates, he had served as a flag officer under both Charles I and Charles II". In the Battle of Lowestoft, the Earl had attacked Bastiaan Centen in the 76-gun Oranje to force him back from Henry Fenn, in the Montagu. The Earl of Sandwich was being hard-pressed, and both the Duke of York and William Penn were determined to relieve the pressure on him. The Earl of Marlborough was killed shortly after the Dutch flagship Eendracht exploded. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
  2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
  3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Monday, October 03, 2005

English Captain: Henry Williams

Henry Williams served in the Restoration navy. In 1667, he commanded the John, a fire hoy (or galliot). The John was sold in 1667. In 1672, the Duke of York appointed him to command the Supply fireship. In 1673, Prince Rupert appointed him to command the Assurance (42 guns). He likely fought in the Schooneveld battles and the Battle of the Texel. The King appointed him to command the fireship Wivenhoe on 25 May 1675 and then switched the appointment to the Holmes. The King appointed him to command the Dutch prize Stavoren (48 guns) on 7 January 1678 (they called it 1677 in the old style calendar). On 12 April 1678, he was appointed to command the Lion (60 guns). The commissioners appointed him to command the Pearl (28 guns) on 3 April 1680. In 1681, in the Pearl, he took a French armed ship that did not pay proper respects to the English flag. On 8 May 1682, the commissioners appointed him to command the Constant Warwick (42 guns). The King appointed him to command the Cleveland yacht (8 guns) on 22 January 1685 (they called the year 1684). He was reappointed on 2 April 1685. The King (now James II) appointed him to command the Advice on 5 September 1688. By the way, Syrett and DiNardo suggest that there were two Henry Williams, and that the first died in 1667. The trouble with that is that a Henry Williams commanded ships from 1672, not from 1677. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
  2. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
  3. Frank Fox, Great Ships: The Battlefleet of King Charles II, 1980.
  4. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
  5. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Sunday, October 02, 2005

English Captain: David Trotter

David Trotter served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he was lieutenant of the Jersey. In 1670, he was lieutenant of the Foresight. In 1672, the Duke of York appointed him as captain of the Emsworth sloop. Apparently by August 1672, he was appointed as captain of the Richmond. On 9 March 1673, the King appointed him captain of the Speedwell. Later in 1673, he was captain of the Dragon. On 5 April 1677, the King appointed him captain of the Kingfisher. On 11 March 1680 (they called it 1679 in the old style system), he was appointed by the commissioners as captain of the Mermaid. Finally, on 4 November 1682, the commissioners appointed him as captain of the Foresight. He died in late 1682. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
  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.

Saturday, October 01, 2005

Marinus de Clerq in 1652

Marinus de Clerq was with the Dutch fleet in early December 1652, so he probably fought in the Battle of Dungeness. There is a note in Dr. Elias's book (Vol.II, p.84) that in June 1652, Marinus de Clerq commanded the ship previously commanded by Captain Schooneman. In the 26 February 1652 list, Captain Schooneman commanded the Dolphijn (28 guns), a ship belonging to the Admiralty of Rotterdam (the Maze).

English Captain: Thomas Rand

Thomas Rand served in the Restoration navy. He was promoted to captain in 1666. He commanded the Dutch prize Slothany (ex-Slot Hooningen). In June, at the time of the Four Days' Battle, the Slothany was lying in the Thames-Medway area short of men. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where the Slothany (60 guns) was assigned to Sir Joseph Jordan's division in the Red Squadron. 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.

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