Dutch Captain: Claes Janszoon Sanger

Claes Janszoon Sanger served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He commanded the ship West Cappelle (or Westcappel) in the First Anglo-Dutch War. His ship was sometimes called the Galjas van Middelburg. His ship was with Tromp's fleet on 23 May 1652, and probably fought in the Battle off Dover on 29 May 1652. In June 1652, he ship carried 26 guns and had a crew of 110 men and was with the fleet. He fought in the Battle of Plymouth in August, under Michiel De Ruyter's command. Witte de With sent his ship in for repairs on the recommendation of De Ruyter, as it was one of a group of ships that needed repairs from the last battle. He fought in the Battle of Portland in March 1653. Dr. Ballhausen had pointed out that Claes Janszoon Sanger was one of 17 captains and ships from Zeeland that returned home together after the battle. He probably fought in the Battle of the Gabbard in June. The July 1653 list of ships at Vlissingen includes 12 ships from the Admiralty of Zeeland, including a number that were very small, as was the West Cappelle. He fought in the Battle of Scheveningen in August 1653 where his ship was sunk and he was taken prisoner by the English. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
2. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
3. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.
4. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1925.
5. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
6. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.