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Thursday, June 15, 2006

Shortly before the Battle of Plymouth

On 13 August 1652, Michiel De Ruyter's fleet was lying "under" Cape Gris Nez, apparently sheltering there. This was 13 days before the Battle of Plymouth. There is a good set of maps (an overview, a diagrammatic map, and a map that shows the terrain. This is at Surf-forecast.com. I would imagine that they were lying in the shallow bay on the north side of Cape Gris Nez. His small fleet, engaged in protecting convoys, was organized into three squadrons, each of which was organized into three divisions. The squadrons had fireships attached:
  • De Ruyter's squadron: fireship Sint Maria, commanded by Jan Claesz Corff
  • Joris Pietersz van der Broeck's (acting Vice-Admiral) squadron: fireship Hoop, commanded by Thomas Jansz Dyck and the fireship Amsterdam, commanded by Jan Overbeecke
  • Jan Arentsz Verhaeff's (acting SbN) squadron: fireship Gecroonde Liefde, commanded by Jacob Herman Visser and the fireship Orangieboom, commanded by Leendert Arentsz de Jager
Joris Pietersz van der Broeck died late in the day on 27 August 1652, apparently not from injuries. He was replaced by the acting Schout-bij-Nacht (Rear-Admiral), Jan Arentsz Verhaeff and Jan Gideonsz Verburgh was appointed as acting Schout-bij-Nacht in his place. Sources:
  1. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900

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