Dutch Captain: Willem van der Zaan the younger

Willem van der Zaan, the younger, was the son of the great Dutch naval officer of the same name. Like his father, he served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. Willem van der Zaan was with the fleet that took Willem III to England in 1688 where he commanded the Maria Elizabeth (46 guns). On 27 July 1689, he was with the fleet in the Channel where he commanded a frigate or small ship of the line (from Andrew). On 30 June 1690, he fought in the Battle of Beachy Head, where he commanded the Agatha (50 guns). He was assigned to Gerard Callenburgh's division. He was killed in a heroic fight against Forbin's small unit in 1692. Sources:

1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.II, 1859.
3. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst slag bij Bevesier 10 juli 1690", 2005.