Ships lying in the Texel, ready for sea in March 1653

I date the list from the archives published on pages 308 to 210 of The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, as being from mid-March 1653. The list has details of ships of the Admiralty of Amsterdam lost in the Three Days Battle (Portland), but lacks information about the results of the Battle of Livorno, which happened just after that. Given the notes about captain changes, perhaps the list could be more precisely dated, but I suspect that the original was updated over time, not just on a specific date. For example, the list of ships lying ready in the Texel mentions Willem van der Zaan as captain of the Aemilia, but says that Jan ter Stegen is now captain. For the Omlandia, the list has the rather ambiguous "Jacob Troucquois alias Schaeff". Carl Stapel says that Boetius Schaeff commanded the Omlandia in September 1652, so I have a bit of trouble deciphering this. I had assumed that Jacob Troucquois had commanded the ship through 1652 and then Maarten Schaeff had taken over in March, as Maarten Schaeff was captain in August 1653, when the Omlandia was lost in the Battle of Scheveningen. Witte de With's journals are now help, as he mostly does not mention ship names, and usually omits the captains' first names. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910
2. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.V, 1928
3. Carl Stapel, personal communication "some new information which might interest you", 2006
4. Witte de With, journals from 1652 to 1658, Archive E8812 from the Riksarkivet, Stockholm

Carl Stapel had a surprise for me today

I was surprised, but I should not have been, that the commander of the Omlandia in September 1652 was Boëtius Schaeff, not Maarten Schaeff or Jacob Troucquois (or Troncquoij). I had known that Maarten Schaeff had commanded the Omlandia at the Battle of Scheveningen, when the ship was lost, so I assumed that he was the Schaeff mentioned on page 309 of The First Dutch War, Vol.IV. Apparently, Boëtius Schaeff was succeeded in command of the Omlandia by Maarten Schaeff, probably before April 1653. By May, Boëtius Schaeff commanded the ship Hoop. He was killed at the Battle of the Gabbard in June 1653. Dirck Pater took over command of the Hoop after the Gabbard. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910
2. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912
3. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.V, 1928
4. Carl Stapel, personal communication "some new information which might interest you", 2006

Carl Stapel suggests that the Nassouw van den Burgh and the Burgh are the same ship

I had not recognized this, but the Nassouw van den Burgh and the Burgh have the same dimensions. Another point is that a document dated 8 November 1652 gives the armament of the Nassouw as 4-brass 24pdr, 14-12pdr, 10-8pdr, 4-6pdr, and 2-3pdr. Ron van Maanen gives the armament of the Burgh as 4-24pdr, 14-12pdr, 10-8pdr, 4-6pdr, and 2-2pdr guns, in April 1653. They are virtually identical, except for the two smallest guns. I had thought that the Nassouw was in Witte de With's fleet in September 1653, but I was mistaken about that. Another point is that Lambert Pieterszoon commanded the Nassouw van den Burgh in 1652, and we do not hear anything about him after December 1652. Hendrick Adriaansz Glas apparently commanded the Burgh (presumably, the Nassouw van den Burgh) in all the major battles of 1653. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Directors Ship Information", 2004
2. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Warships 1600-1800", undated, but circa 1992
3. Carl Stapel, personal communication "Burgh en Nassouw", 2006

The ships named Gelderland

Carl Stapel points out that the Gelderland wrecked in 1629 was the ship built in 1616, contrary to what Ron van Maanen says in his list. Carl says that this ship was 160 lasts. The ship built in 1634 is a 250 last ship, which is 128ft long. The Gelderland built in 1639 may well be a ship of 100 lasts (109ft x 25ft x 8-3/4ft), rather than 150 lasts (116ft x 27ft x 11ft). There are conflicting reports on this subject. I place a great deal of weight on the Admiralty of the Maze list from 26 February 1652, that gives the ships dimensions, in Maas feet, as 100ft x 23ft x 8ft, which I estimate to be 109ft x 25ft x 8-3/4ft in Amsterdam feet. Dr. Graefe's book, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, has a list from 1636, that mentions the 250 last Gelderland. In 1636, that Gelderland carried 34 guns and had a crew of 110 sailors and 20 soldiers. The captain was Willem van Coulster. Sources:

1. Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, 1938
2. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Warships 1600-1800", undated, but circa 1992
3. Carl Stapel, personal communication "Gelderland built in 1616", 2006

Cornelis van Kruiningen

Carl Stapel found that in 1652, Cornelis van Kruiningen had been Adriaan Jansz den Gloeyenden Oven's schipper on the jacht Zeeuwsche Jager (14 guns and a crew of 56 men). He was given command of his own ship, the Japonder or Dordrecht (17 guns, 70 sailors and 20 soldiers), about July 1652. The ship served as a convoyer in the west. On 18 August, he left Vlissingen (Flushing) for the coast of "New Netherlands". Sources:

1. Hendrik de Raedt, Lyste van de schepen van Oorloge onder het beleyt Admirael Marten Harpersz. Tromp, 1652
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Cornelis van Kruningen", 2006

Why have we not seen mention of Sipke Fockes' ship at the Three Days' Battle

I had always assumed that the Groote Sint Lucas mentioned in the Hollandsche Mercurius was a mistake, and that he had commanded the Sint Maria, instead. Sipke Fockes was definitely killed in the Three Days Battle and almost certainly, his ship was captured by the English. His ship carried 28 guns. From documents from March 1653, we know that the Sint Maria was at the Three Days Battle and was damaged, as the documents talk about what needed to be repaired. So was there really a Groote Sint Lucas, and if so, why have we not seen the ship mentioned?

Some of the Hundred ships employed by the Admiralty of Zeeland in August 1652

From Hendrick de Raedt's pamphlet, we have the list of the captains that were in Tromp's fleet during the voyage to the Shetlands in July to August 1652. The list contains the listing of the ships hired by the Admiralty of Zeeland that were part of the 100 ships to be hired by the admiralties in 1652. Thanks to Carl Stapel's latest finds, we can better fill in the list:

Adm   Ship                Guns  Crew  Captain
Z     Eendracht           18    100   Lambert Bartelsoon
Z     Haze                20    100   Joannes Michielszoon
Z     Sint Joris          28     85   Jacob Wolphertszoon
Z     Offerande Abrahams  24    100   Daniels Cornelisz Brackman
Z     Dolfijn             26     96   Dingeman Cats

Sources:

1. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Dolfijn 1652", 2006
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Haze 1652", 2006
3. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Lijst van Nederlandse schepen in maart 1653", 2006
4. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Offerande Abrahams 1652", 2006

Adriaan de Zeeuw and the Rotterdam Directors' ships in 1652

Carl Stapel found the definitive answer about Adriaan de Zeeuw, who commanded a Rotterdam Directors' ship at the beginning of the First Anglo-Dutch War. At the outbreak, Adriaan de Zeeuw commanded the Sint Pieter (28 guns and a crew of 122 men). This is the information about all seven Rotterdam Directors' ships:

Adm    Ship        Guns Crew Captain
R-Dir  Hollandia   26   105  Ruth Jacobsz Buijs
R-Dir  Jonas       36   125  Jan Evertsz de Liefde
R-Dir  Meerman     30   120  Jacob Cleydijck
R-Dir  Sint Pieter 29   110  Isaac de Jonge
R-Dir  Sint Pieter 28   122  Adriaan de Zeeuw 
R-Dir  Erasmus     ?    ?    Sijmon Cornelisz van der Meer
R-Dir  Prins       38   120  Corstiaen Corstiaensz de Munnicq (Munnick)

We now know that the Erasmus was sunk in June 1652, and Adriaan de Zeeuw's ship was damaged and lying in the Meuse after the fight in the Channel. Adriaan de Zeeuw left the service and Sijmon Cornelisz van der Meer took command of the Sint Pieter. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930
2. Hendrik de Raedt, Lyste van de schepen van Oorloge onder het beleyt Admirael Marten Harpersz. Tromp, 1652
3. Carl Stapel, personal communication "Adriaen de Seeuw and his ship", 2006
4. Witte de With, journals from 1652 to 1658, Archive E8812 from the Riksarkivet, Stockholm

The Dutch navy at the outbreak of the First Anglo-Dutch War

Dr. Elias said that there were 87 Dutch ships in service in early 1652. These included 41 convoyers, 10 ships in Brazil, and 36 cruisers funded in 1651. The convoyers nominally included the 40 ships funded in 1648 for service at the end of the War of Independence against Spain. About March, another 150 ships to be hired were also funded. These included 50 ships to be hired by the Directors of the various port cities and 100 ships to be hired by the five admiralties. 38 of these were to come from North Holland.

The ships were divided as follows:

10 ships in Brazil

40 ships of 1648

Rotterdam        8 ships
Amsterdam       16 ships
Zeeland          8 ships
Noorderkwartier  8 ships

36 ships of 1651

Rotterdam        7 ships
Amsterdam       14 ships
Zeeland          7 ships
Noorderkwartier  7 ships
Friesland        1 ship

100 ships of 1652

Rotterdam       16-1/2 ships
Amsterdam       33 ships
Zeeland         16-1/2 ships
Noorderkwartier 16-1/2 ships
Friesland       16-1/2 ships

50 Directors ships of 1652

Rotterdam                      7 ships
Amsterdam                     24 ships
Zeeland                        9 ships
Cities of the Noorderkwartier  7 ships
Friesland                      2 ships
Groningen                      1 ship

In addition, the VOC (the East India Company) would provide 6 ships

The 50 Directors' ships were all hired fairly quickly. Of the 100 ships, initially, there were only 38 hired. Very quickly, at the outbreak of the war, four ships in English harbors were taken. Of the ships returning from Brazil, two were sunk. Right before the outbreak of the war, on 23 May 1652, the old Overijssel (28 guns) and the Nassau (36 guns) were sold. The Nassau was a substantial ship built in 1636 (132ft x 32ft). The Overijssel was probably 120ft long, from my reading of Ron van Maanen's list. The Prinses Roijaal Marie was the best of the ships taken in English harbors, and was quite large (124ft x 29-1/2ft x 13ft). The Prinses Roijaal Marie apparently served the English navy during the war as the Princess Maria (38 guns). This was such a good ship that she served until 1658, when she was wrecked. Sources:

1. H. T. Colenbrander, Bescheiden uit vreemde archieven omtrent de groote Nederlandsche zeeoorlogen 1652-1676, 1919
2. Johan E. Elias, De Vlootbouw in Nederland 1596-1655, 1933
3. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Warships 1600-1800", undated, but circa 1992

The Schellinghout

Ron van Maanen had listed a ship named Schellinghout (or Schellinkhout) hired by the Enkhuizen Directors. He even had the dimensions: 127ft x 26ft x 12-1/2ft, with a height between decks of 6ft. Carl Stapel has found that this is the ship commanded by Jacob Claesz Duijm, which is more commonly known as the Vergulde Zon (or Vergulde Sonne, old style). Sources:

1. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Warships 1600-1800", undated, but circa 1992
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "directieschepen 16 mei 1652", 2006

The Halve Maan lost at the Battle of the Gabbard

Carl Stapel found out that the ship Halve Maan was the same ship commanded by Jan Fredericksz Houcboot in 1652. I had seen the handwritten name in a document from September 1652, and thought it said Vergulde Meerman (actually, it was "M" and a squiggle, followed by an "n"). The handwritten name apparently was "Vergulde Maen". From Ron van Maanen's list, we know the dimensions in Amsterdam feet: 120ft x 27ft x 12ft. The height between decks was 6ft. In August 1652, the Vergulde Maen carried 30 guns and had a crew of 110 men. The Vergulde Maen was hired by the Edam Directors.

The Vlissingen Directors' ship Haes

I believe that the Vlissingen Directors' ship Haes is the same ship as the Haes in het Velt, mentioned as part of Michiel De Ruyter's convoying fleet in the summer of 1652. Carl Stapel found the details in the Nationaal Archief. The ship was just 113ft long and only had 6 guns larger than 8pdrs. The armament was 26 guns and had a crew of 120 men. In the summer, if this they are the same ship, the Haes was commanded by Leendert den Haen, and then from some time in September, was commanded by Bastiaan Centsen. To the great discredit of the English captain and crew, the Haes took the English 34-gun ship Hercules, right after the Battle of Dungeness. The commander and crew of the Hercules panicked and ran the ship ashore, abandoning the Hercules. Bastiaan Centsen refloated the Hercules and took it back to the Netherlands as a prize.

Ron van Maanen has really heroic dimensions for the Oranje, lost at Lowestoft

I was amazed at Ron van Maanen's dimensions for the ship Oranje, built by the Middelburg Chamber of the VOC and lost at Lowestoft. They are considerably larger than what Herbert Tomessen, from Artitec, has attributed to the ship (170ft x 38ft x 14ft-"hol en koebrug, overloop, en verdek"). Ron lists the dimensions as 180ft x 52ft x 17ft, with a height between decks of 7ft. Ron's length for the Prins Willem, which fought at the Battle of the Kentish Knock is 181ft, which is at least consistent. Sources:

1. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Warships 1600-1800", undated but circa 1992

The Noorderkwartier ship Engel (UPDATE)

Carl Stapel found a list of Noorderkwartier ships in 1652 that will "make news". By that, I mean that there is information in there that is not found, otherwise. One of the ships mentioned is a hired ship named Engel (29 guns and a crew of 75 sailors). The captain's name was Woogters. This would appear to be the ship listed as number 107 in Vreugdenhil's list. Vreudenhil says that the Engel was lost in 1652. Carl Stapel says that this ship is NOT the ship in Vreugdenhil's list. Sources:

1. personal communication from Carl Stapel, "lijst alle capiteins 1652 in het Noorderkwartier", 2006
2. A. Vreugdenhil, Ships of the United Netherlands 1648-1702, 1938

The VOC ship Prins Willem

I think that Herbert Tomessen, of Artitec, thinks that the VOC ship Prins Willem had dimensions of about 170ft x 38ft x 18ft. Ron van Maanen gives just the length, which he says is 181ft. That almost seems like the length from Herman Ketting's book about the Prins Willem ship model. Herbert Tomessen (I hope that I have the spelling correct) wrote me saying that while he liked Herman Ketting's book, that he had the dimensions wrong.

The measured dimensions of the Gorinchem (Gorcum) in Amsterdam feet

Ron van Maanen, in his "Zeeland" document (I still don't understand the rationale of the filename) gives the actual measured dimensions for the Gorinchem of 1639 in Amsterdam feet. Other sources, except for Dr. Weber's book, always give the dimensions in Maas feet. The "classic" dimensions quoted by Vreugdenhill, in his list, apparently from the Staet van Oorlog te Water for the year 1654 are 106ft x 25ft x 9-1/2ft. Dr. Weber gives the dimensions as 116ft x 27ft x 11ft, but Ron has what appear to be the measured figures: 115ft-7in x 27ft-3in x 10ft-10in. These appear to be in Amsterdam feet of 11 inches per foot (283mm). Maas feet have 12 inches of about the same size, so a Maas foot is about 308mm, or so.

Ron van Maanen on the Zeeland ship Sandenburgh

I had thought that Ron van Maanen did not mention the Zeeland ship Sandenburgh, but in creating an extract from Ron's "Zeeland" document, I found an entry for the "Zandburg", "called Sandenburch". Ron calls the ship a fishery patrol vessel "captured by the British" (as he calls the English). He gives the dates for the ship as 1653 to 1654, but we know from Witte de With's journal for September 1652, that the ship was in service at that date, commanded by Pieter Gorcum. Admittedly, the listing does not say "Sandenburgh", but the March 1653 list transcribed by Carl Stapel names the ship and captain, with 24 guns and a crew of 85 men. For September 1652, Witte de With's journal gives the armament as 24 guns and the crew as 90 men. Sources:

1. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Zeeland", undated
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Lijst van Nederlandse schepen in maart 1653", 2006
3. Witte de With, journals from 1652 to 1658, Archive E8812 from the Riksarkivet, Stockholm

Witte de With's fleet forthe attack on Scarborough in April 1653

This seems to be the fleet commanded by Witte de With for the planned raid on Scarborough, in April 1653. This list is dated 11 April, and shows the fleet divided into three small squadrons. As the list only gives the captains' names, I have annotated the list from other lists and information:

Van Squadron

Adm    Ship                 Guns Crew Commander
A      Fazant               32   110  vice-commandeur Lapper
A      Dolfijn              30   110  kapitein Gerbrandt Schatter
R                           23    94  luitenant-commandeur Pieter Jacobsz
A-Dir  Valck                28   111  kapitein Cornelis Jansz Brouwer
A-Dir  Sampson              28   110  kapitein Cornelis Cornelisz de Groot
N      Prins Maurits        32    97  kapitein Cornelis Pietersz Taenman
Z      Amsterdam            32   116  kapitein Adriaan Niclaesz Kempen
A      Westfriesland        28   110  kapitein Hendrick Huyskens
F      Postpaert            30   106  kapitein Isaak Kodde

Center Squadron

Adm    Ship                 Guns Crew Commander
A      Leeuwarden           34   158  vice-admiraal Witte Cornelisz de With
                                     on the ship of kapitein Govert Reael
A      Graaf Willem         40   155  kapitein Jan Gideonsz Verburgh
R      Overissel            24    98  kapitein Dirck Vijgh
A      Omlandia             32   109  kapitein Maarten Schaeff
A      Prins Willem         30   106  kapitein Jan Jansz Boermans
A-Dir  David en Goliat      34   125  kapitein Claes Bastiaensz Jaersvelt
A      Leiden               30   107  kapitein Hendrick Kroeger
A      Bommel               34   110  kapitein Pieter van Braeckel
R-VOC  Wapen van Nassau     32   124  kapitein Jan Adriaensz van der Werff
A      Zutphen              26   120  kapitein Hillebrandt Jeroesnz
A-VOC  Gerechtigheid        34   105  kapitein Evert Pietersz Swart
Z      Goes                 26    97  kapitein Cornelis Kuijper

Rear Squadron

Adm    Ship                 Guns Crew Commander
R      Utrecht              22    98  commandeur Leendert Haexwant
A-Dir  Sint Pieter          28   109  kapitein Schuyt
A-Dir  Engel Michiel        28   110  kapitein Bogart
A-Dir                       28   110  luitenant-commandeur Hendrik Heij
                           30   120  luitenant-commandeur Boutecoe
En-Dir Vergulde Zon         28   115  kapitein Jacob Duijm
A-VOC  Mercurius            36   110  kapitein Pieter de Bitter
A-Dir  Catarina             28   110  kapitein Jacob Jansz Kop

Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2006
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Lijst van schepen van 31 mei 1653", 2006
3. Witte de With, letters from 1653 to 1658, Archive E8811 from the Riksarkivet, Stockholm
4. Witte de With, journals from 1652 to 1658, Archive E8812 from the Riksarkivet, Stockholm

Some lingering questions about Zeeland ships in 1652

My knowledge of Dutch ships, including Zeeland ships, in 1653, is now much better than it was a few weeks ago, particularly thanks to Carl Stapel's latest finds from the archives. There are still many questions, as there seems to be less information about dimensions for Zeeland ships than other admiralties. All we have to do is to examine the list of States' ships for Zeeland in the list from Hendrick de Raedt's pamphlet to see the holes in our knowledge. This is still just tentative, because until I see some 1652 lists with captains and ship names, I would not consider to be definitive (if then):

Adm   Ship            Guns Crew  Commander
Z     Hollandia       38   160   vice-admiraal Johan Evertsen
Z     Zeeuwsche Leeuw 30   120   commandeur Cornelis Evertsen de Oude
Z     Meerminne       28   100   kapitein Gillis Janszoon
Z     Middelburg      26   110   kapitein Claes Jansz Sanger
Z     Amsterdam       30   110   kapitein Adriaan Kempen
Z     ?               26   100   kapitein Adriaan Bankert
Z     Zeeuwsche Jager 14    56   kapitein Adriaan Jansz den Oven
Z     Eendracht       18   100   kapitein Lambert Bartelszoon
Z     Haes?           20   100   kapitein Johannes Michielszoon
Z     Sint Joris      28    85   kapitein Jacob Wolphertszoon
Z     ?               ?    ?     kapitein Daniel Cornelisz Brackman
Z     Dolfijn         24    85   kapitein Dingeman Cats
Z     Sandenburgh     24    85   kapitein Pieter Gorcum

Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2006
2. Hendrik de Raedt, Lyste van de schepen van Oorloge onder het beleyt Admirael Marten Harpersz. Tromp, 1652
3. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Lijst van Nederlandse schepen in maart 1653", 2006

Ships mentioned in Carl Stapel's list for March 1653

At the end of Carl Stapel's list compiled from archival sources for March 1653, he has appendices B and C. Appendix B lists the ships Maeght van Enkhuizen (28 guns) and the Schellinghout (28 guns). I have thought that what Ron van Maanen calls the Maagd van Enkhuizen is the ship commanded by Gijsbert Malcontent. He was killed and his ship was captured in the Three Days Battle (Portland). They were hired by the Enkhuizen Directors. I have not been able to match the Schellinghout with a captain. Ron van Maanen had also mentioned the ship in his comprehensive list.

Appendix C includes the ships Samson and another ("L" or "Si---den"). From Ron van Maanen's list, the ship "L" is the Liefde, as the dimensions are identical. the Samson seems to be the ship commanded by Jacob Pietersz Houck. The Liefde seems to be that commanded by Pieter Adriaansz van Blocker.

Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2006
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Lijst van Nederlandse schepen in maart 1653", 2006
3. Witte de With, journals from 1652 to 1658, Archive E8812 from the Riksarkivet, Stockholm

Updated list of Friesland ships with the Dutch fleet in May 1653

With the latest information from Carl Stapel, I am better able to fill in the names of the Friesland ships with the Dutch fleet in May 1653, from the entry in Witte de With's journal:

Adm Ship               Guns Crew Captain
F   Postpaert          30   106  Isaac Codde
F   Graaf Willem       24    85  Jan Coenders
F   Westergo           28   110  Tijmen Claeszoon
F   Stad en Ommelanden 28   110  Joost Bulter

Sources:

1. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Lijst van Nederlandse schepen in maart 1653", 2006
2. Witte de With, journals from 1652 to 1658, Archive E8812 from the Riksarkivet, Stockholm

The Brederode's armament

I have recently seen a number of gun lists, at different dates, for the Brederode. The Brederode was completed in 1645 and sunk at the Battle of the Sound in 1658.

25 March 1653  4-36pdr, 12-24pdr, 8-18pdr, 20-12pdr, and 10-6pdr
         1655  4-36pdr, 20-24pdr, 21-12pdr, and 10-6pdr
         1658  4-36pdr, 11-24pdr, 12-18pdr, 21-8pdr, and 9-6pdr

Sources:

1. Dick Luiting, "Brederode" De hollandske admiralskib, som sank under slaget i Oresond 1658, (date to be supplied)
2. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Oorlogsschepen" van de admiraliteit van de Maze in de zeventiende en achttiende eeuw, undated
3. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Warships 1600-1800", undated but circa 1992

First Anglo-Dutch War Bibliography for English-speakers

For someone interested in knowing about the First Anglo-Dutch War, the best published source in English is the Navy Record Society publication The First Dutch War. This book seems to be pretty widely available in university libraries in the US. Another useful source is Vol.II of The Royal Navy: a history from the earliest times to the present. This was written almost contemporaneously with the early volumes of The First Dutch War.

The First Dutch War is the only source, really, for Dutch fleet lists, giving some ship names, the names of captains, the guns and crew numbers for many of the ships. Vreugdenhil’s Ships of the United Netherlands 1648-1702 is also helpful, although it has mistakes and many omissions. Vreugdenhil relied too much on Dr. Ballhausen’s book (in German) Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654. While the lists in Ballhausen’s book don’t require knowledge of German, they have many errors. Still, much of what is there is useful and correct. R. C. Anderson called Dr. Ballhausen’s account of the First Anglo-Dutch War in the Mediterranean Sea the best available source.

For general information about the First Anglo-Dutch War, there are a number of useful sources, although you need to check the information, generally. The sections in Peter Padfield’s book The Tide of Empires has maps and decent descriptions. His newer book might be worth checking. Michael Baumber’s book General-at-Sea, about Robert Blake, also has maps and includes narratives about the war. Granville Penn’s book is now online at Google Book Search, as are the first three volumes of The First Dutch War. This is at least an obvious list of sources from which to start. I would recommend looking at these publications and their sources, and branch out from there.

References:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938
2. R. C. Anderson, "The First Dutch War in the Mediterranean," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.49, No.4, November 1963
3. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910
4. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912
5. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930
6. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923
7. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989
8. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898
9. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898
10. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900
11. Dr. S. R. Gardiner, and C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.III, 1906
12. Roger Hainsworth and Christine Churches, The Anglo-Dutch Wars 1652-1674, 1998
13. Granville Penn, Memorials of the Professional Life and Times of Sir William Penn, 1833
14. J. R. Powell, Ed., The Letters of Robert Blake, 1937

Cornelis Evertsen de Jonge's ships in 1652 to early 1653

The list De Rutyer's fleet in early August 1652 says that Cornelis Evertsen de Jonge's ship was the Vlissingen (26 guns). We know that this was a Vlissingen Directors' ship. From a list from May 1653, from Witte de With's letters (E8811), that in May, Cornelis Evertsen de Jonge commanded a States' ship that carried 28 guns and had a crew of 95 men. Carl Stapel found a reference that indicated that on 27 March 1653, Cornelis Evertsen de Jonge commanded the ship West Cappel (28 guns). From another list from Carl Stapel, date 20 June 1653, we know that Cornelis Evertsen de Jonge still commanded the West Cappel at that date. He also must have commanded the West Cappel in the Battle of the Gabbard. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930
2. Hendrik de Raedt, Lyste van de schepen van Oorloge onder het beleyt Admirael Marten Harpersz. Tromp, 1652
3. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Lijst van Nederlandse schepen in maart 1653", 2006
4. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Lijst van schepen van 20 juni 1653", 2006
5. Witte de With, letters from 1653 to 1658, Archive E8811 from the Riksarkivet, Stockholm

Dingeman Cats' ships in the First Anglo-Dutch War

I had thought that Dingeman Cats had commanded only one ship from 1652 to 1653, but he apparently commanded at least two. Up to the Three Days Battle (Portland), he seems to have commanded a ship hired by the Admiralty of Zeeland, the Dolfijn (24 guns). By May 1653, he commanded a ship named Liefde (23 guns and a crew of 93 men in May 1653). The Liefde may have been the Gecroonde Liefde mentioned as number 21 in Vreugdenhil's list. This is frequently listed as being a Zeeland Directors' ship. Sources:

1. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Lijst van Nederlandse schepen in maart 1653", 2006
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Lijst van schepen van 31 mei 1653", 2006
3. Witte de With, journals from 1652 to 1658, Archive E8812 from the Riksarkivet, Stockholm

Joost Bulter's ship was not named Kameel

I had guessed this, in the last few weeks, but now we know that Joost Bulter's ship was named variously "Stad en Ommelanden" (a variation of Stad en Lande) or "Stad Groningen". Ron van Maanen says that the ship was 120ft x 28-1/2ft, with 28 guns and a crew of 110 men. This makes more sense to me than a mysterious ship named "Kameel" with 42 guns. The ship was sunk by gunfire in the Battle of the Gabbard, and Joost Bulter died. The list of ships at Vlissingen in July 1653 says that this was a ship of the Admiralty of Friesland, and not a Directors' ship. Sources:

1. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Warships 1600-1800", undated, but circa 1992
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Lijst van Nederlandse schepen in maart 1653", 2006
3. Staten Generaal 1.01.04 Inv. Nr. 5556, "List of ships at Vlissingen on 2 July 1653", 1653

From the latest finds, there is no assurance for a particular date, who commanded a Dutch warship

From Carl Stapel's latest finds, I would say that there is no assurance as to which ship a particular captain commanded. You actually have to see a contemporary, handwritten document to be relatively assured about who commanded which ship. Also, the published lists omit many ships, so we find. After what I have seen over the last four years, I had figured this out, but Ron van Maanen's list just reinforced that impression, as he listed many ships that I had never seen mentioned before. For example, who knew that Pieter Gorcum's ship, in the First Anglo-Dutch War, was the Sandenburgh?

Ships and captains in the First Anglo-Dutch War

What I am finding, increasingly, is that you cannot make assumptions about a Dutch captain commanding one ship through the entire First Anglo-Dutch War. You also cannot assume that one ship was commanded by a particular captain through the war, either. We are also finding that at least some of what is mentioned in the published literature is also wrong, especially some of what Dr. Ballhausen wrote in his book. For example, Dr. Ballhausen had Witte de With using the ship Jonas (a Rotterdam Directors' ship) as his flagship in November 1652, when I believe he was still using the Rotterdam ship Prinses Louise. The Jonas had been commanded by Johan de Liefde, but the ship was apparently so damaged in the storm near the Shetlands that the ship was paid off on returning home. There are also cases of ships and captains that are never mentioned in the published literature. Frequently, the captain is mentioned, along with the guns carried and the crew size, and the ship name is never mentioned. If the ship name is mentioned, it is only in Dr. Elias's book, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, which has not been seen by many English-speaking people. Thre is apparently a great deal of information that has not yet been published on ships and captains of the Dutch navy in the period of 1652 to 1654 (and somewhat before and after those dates).

The Zeeland ammunition and victual carrier Walvisch

In 1653, the fluit Walvisch was used to carry ammunition and victuals for the fleet at sea. Ron van Maanen says that the Walvisch carried 20 guns and was hired by the Admiralty of Zeeland. Witte de With's journal has an inventory of the shot carried by the Walvisch in September 1653:

 240  36 pound shot
1293  24 pound shot
 595  18 pound shot
1400  12 pound shot
5294   6 pound shot
 404   3 pound shot

Sources:

1. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Warships 1600-1800", undated, but circa 1992
2. Witte de With, journals from 1652 to 1658, Archive E8812 from the Riksarkivet, Stockholm

Admiralty ships of Rotterdam in May 1653

Witte de With's journal (E8812) has a list of admiralty ships belonging to Rotterdam, that were with the fleet in May 1653:

Ship             Guns  Crew  Commander
Utrecht          22     98   Commandeur Haexwant
Overissel        24     98   Capt. Vijgh
Rotterdam        32    120   Lt-Commandeur Pieter Verhaven (son of Capt. Verhaeff)
Gorinchem        30    116   Capt. WIllem Arensz Warmont
Dolphijn         32    116   Capt. Kerckhoff
(Gelderland)    (22)  (100)  Capt. Aert Jansz van Nes (de Jonge Boer Jaep)
Brederode        56    268   (Egbert Meeuwssen Kortenaer)

Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005
2. Witte de With, journals from 1652 to 1658, Archive E8812 from the Riksarkivet, Stockholm

The English prize Essex in the Dutch service

Frank Fox would like very much to learn more about the English prize Essex in the Dutch service in 1667. Ron van Maanen only lists the English dimensions. One of the things that Frank would like to know are the Dutch dimensions for the Essex. He also had thought that there might be a Dutch name, but I have only seen the ship referenced in "Brandt" (I think) as the Essex. I think it worthwhile to estimate the ships' Dutch dimensions:

The English prize Essex, Capt. Jacob Pauw

Length from stem to sternpost:  157ft
Beam:                            36-3/4ft
Hold:                            16ft

50 guns
Crew: 225 sailors and 30 soldiers

This rather difficult, as the known English length is the keel, while the Dutch is from stem to sternpost, and is affected by the amount of rake. The Dutch beam is inside the planking, while the English beam is outside the planking. The Dutch hold is at the side, at the widest part of the ship, where the deck edge meets the side. The English depth of hold is at the center, and is affected by the amount of camber to the deck. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships and the Relationship Between English and Dutch Measure", 2003
2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687
3. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Warships 1600-1800", undated but circa 1992

Ron van Maanen on the Friesland ship Groningen

Ron van Maanen has quite a bit about the Friesland ship Groningen, captured by the English in 1665. He wonders if this is the same ship as the Groenwolt that is mentioned in the Staet van Oorlog te Water for the year 1654. That is my conclusion, at least, as Dr. Weber apparently thought that, at least that is my interpretation of his listing for the Black Spread Eagle (the captured Groningen) in his book about the Four Days' Battle. He has a variety of measurements and quite a few gun lists for different dates. This is based on Ron's list:

The ship Groningen

Date         Length    Beam  Hold     Height between decks
2 March 1654 134ft     34ft  14ft     7-1/2ft
1665         132ft     31ft  14-1/2ft 6-1/2ft
1665         132-1/2ft 32ft  16ft     6ft

Guns   24pdr 18pdr 12pdr 8pdr 6pdr
1665         10    12    18    6
1665    2     6    14    16    2

Sources:

1. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984
2. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Warships 1600-1800", undated but circa 1992

When I saw that the Admiralty of Zeeland had two ships, one with 18 guns and another with 20 guns in 1652, I thought it must be a mistake

My reaction to seeing the list derived from the 1652 Hollandsche Mercurius that showed Lambert Bartelszoon's ship carrying 18 guns and having a crew of 100 men and Johannes Michielszoon's ship with 20 guns and a crew of 100 men, I thought it must be a mistake. The figures were repeated in Hendrick de Raedt's pamphlet, so I started to take them more seriously. Now that I have Witte de With's journals, I know that the figures are correct. The May 1653 list from Witte de With's letters (E8811) oddly enough lists these ships as Zeeland Directors' ships. As Johannes Michielszoon had been killed in the Three Days Battle (Portland), there was a different captain (Jan Hoesen). At this date, the two ships had 90 men crews. I have speculated that Lambert Bartelszoon's ship was the Japonder, which had been purchased in 1652 with 12 guns on board. By 1653, the Japonder was renamed Dordrecht. Ron van Maanen says that by March1653, the Dordrecht had a crew of 70 sailors and 20 soldiers, and carried 4-12pdr, 7-6pdr, and 6-3pdr. The length of the jacht Dordrecht was probably 100 ft, despite the Staet van Oorlog te Water for the year 1654, which gave the figure as 85ft. Sources:

1. Pieter Casteleyn, Hollandsche Mercurius, 1652
2. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Warships 1600-1800", undated, but circa 1992
3. Hendrik de Raedt, Lyste van de schepen van Oorloge onder het beleyt Admirael Marten Harpersz. Tromp, 1652
4. Staet van Oorlog te Water for the year 1654, 1654
5. Witte de With, letters from 1653 to 1658, Archive E8811 from the Riksarkivet, Stockholm