Dutch Captain: Jacob Sichelszoon

Jacob Sichelszoon (or possibly Jan Sichelszoon or Sichelsen) apparently served the Admiralty of Zeeland and commanded a hired ship, the Wapen van Swieten (28 guns and a crew of 95 men). On 29 July 1652, the States General had appointed Michiel De Ruyter to command a fleet to be stationed at the Wielings (Wielengen) rendezvous to convoy merchant ships in the Channel. Jan Sichelszoon was one of the captains assigned to this fleet. He apparently fought in the Battle of Plymouth on 26 August 1652 (a new style date). After De Ruyter's fleet joined Witte de With's fleet, some ships that had been damaged were sent in for repairs. Jacob Sichelszoon's ship was one of those needing repairs, so he missed the Battle of the Kentish Knock. We do not see any further mention of Jacob (or Jan) Sichelszoon in the published literature available to us. Volume II of The First Dutch War, which contains much of this information, can now be read at the Google Book Search. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
2. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.