Dutch Captain: Jan Jacobszoon Vlieger

This is from my translation of the entry in Dr. De Boer's book Tromp en de Armada van 1639 (1941):

Jan Jacobszoon Vlieger commanded a ship of the Zeeland admiralty, probably the Meerminne of 200 lasts and 24 guns. According to a note in Tromp's journal, Vlieger, along with Evertsen's squadron, joined the fleet on 2 May. On 16 May, he disappears, and Commandeur Pauwelszoon is listed instead, and is called to fight many times. Vlieger's ship shows on the booty list, although the name is omitted. Pauwelszoon now seems to have disappeared from the fleet. We are left puzzled by all this. On 16 September, in the margin of Tromp's journal, both Vlieger and Pauwelszoon are named, and there is one too many ships. In the ship list, the name of both has been added to the writing of Waterdrincker, but in the place of Vlieger is the name Pottebreecker, a known sailor who had distinguished himself several times before Dunkirk. Dr. De Boer suspected that Pottebreecker was a nickname for Vlieger, although he could find no proof that it was true. His assumption seems to be correct, nevertheless. See p.128 of Warnsinck's book Drie Admirals, and what it says about Vlieger and Pottebreecker.

Dutch Captain: Ewout Jeroenszoon de Moy

Ewout Jeroenszoon de Moy was often referred to as just Ewout Jeroenszoon. His brother was Hillebrandt Jeroenszoon. Ewout Jeroenszoon served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1628, he commanded what was probably a small vessel, the Haringen. In 1652, he commanded the 28-gun vessel Zutphen. In July 1652, his ship was listed as one of two Amsterdam ships to be convoyers for a fleet of merchant ships carrying corn headed for Muscovy. He may also have fought at the Battle of the Kentish Knock. At least, Dr. Ballhausen seems to have included him for that battle. If he was one of the convoyers in September and October, he would not have been there for the battle. I may have listed Ewout Jeroenszoon for the Battle of Dungeness, but I am less sure at this point. In my working list for the battle, I omitted him, although his brother was with the fleet prior to the battle, although he was among those who were planned to be sent on convoying assignments. Dr. Ballhausen lists him as being in De Ruyter's squadron in the Battle of Portland. I will need to check his further participation in the First Anglo-Dutch War later, but he was operating with the fleet in April 1653, so he very likely was present for the Battles of the Gabbard and Scheveningen. He was present in the fleet sent to Danzig in 1656, where he commanded the Maan (armed with 38 guns for this operation). In 1658, he commanded the Vereenigde Provinciën (42 guns), but seems not to have been at the Battle of the Sound. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
2. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.
3. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2005.
4. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
5. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

Dutch Captain: Cornelis van Velsen

Cornelis van Velsen served the Admiralty of Amsterdam during the First Anglo-Dutch War. He commanded the ship Gelderland (28 guns and a crew of 100 men) which was one of the 116 ft vessels built in 1639. The dimensions were probably 116ft x 27ft x 11ft. During the summer of 1652, he served under Michiel de Ruyter in the fleet employed as convoyers of merchant ships in the Channel. He fought in the Battle of Plymouth, against Sir George Ayscue's fleet. He was very likely at the Battle of the Kentish Knock, as part of De Ruyter's squadron in that battle. He also fought in the Battle of Portland and then at the Battle of the Gabbard. At the Gabbard, his ship blew up, due to excessive gun powder in the air and around the ship. He was killed in the explosion. Only five men were saved, although not Cornelis van Velsen. 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. Dr. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van Ons Zeewezen, Vol.V, 1928.
4. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
5. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.

More about Lambert Pieterszoon

I had written about the Dutch captain Lambert Pieterszoon on May 15, 2004. Mr. Carl Stapel pointed out to me that in Brandt's biography of De Ruyter, on page 70, that Lambert Pieterszoon was one of five captains sent to the Mediterranean "to set order in the Mediteranaen after C Tromp and captain Rodehaes made a mess out of it". He apparently spent the rest of his life in the Mediterranean. He died on September 3rd, 1654 and was buried on Minorca on September 9th. Thank you again to Mr. Stapel for the information.

Dutch Captain: Cornelis Naeough

Cornelis Naeough commanded a ship hired by the Amsterdam Directors during the First Anglo-Dutch War. He apparently was present at the beginning of the war, as he was with Tromp's fleet of 42 ships immediately preceding the opening of hostilities off of Dover on May 29, 1652 (new style). He commanded the smaller of two ships named Sint Matheeus. His ship carried 34 guns (or so) and was 140ft x 34ft x 15ft. We actually know the guns that were included in the 34: 4-24pdr, 14-12pdr, 10-8pdr, 4-6pdr, and 2-3pdr. At the beginning of the war, his crew was 114 men, but by early 1653, it had risen to 125 men. One list from mid-1652, from the Hollandsche Mercurius gives the armament as 36 guns and the crew as 135 men. He was on Tromp's voyage to the Shetlands and he and his ship survived. His was one of the ships in Scalloway harbor following the storm. His ship was damaged by a storm after the Battle of Dungeness, and had run up the Channel with Isaak Sweers, who lost touch with Cornelis Naeough. Tromp feared that the English would capture his ship, which Tromp thought might be able to carry as many as 60 guns. He fought at the Battle of the Gabbard, after which he was courtmartiales for his bad conduct. Sources:

1. Pieter Casteleyn, Hollandsche Mercurius, 1652.
2. National Archives 1.03.02 Inv. No. 8 Amsterdam Directors' ships from 8 November 1652.
3. National Archives 1.03.02 Inv. No. 8 Directors' ships from January 1653.
4. National Archives "Directies ter Equipeering van Oorlogschepen, 1631-1657" Inv. No. 3 24 Amsterdam Directors' ships
5. Hendrick de Raedt, pamphlet listing captains and ships on Tromp's voyage to the Shetlands in 1652, 1652

Dutch Captain: Jan Gerbrandszoon

Jan Gerbrandszoon was apparently a Groninger sailor, having served in the fleet since 1606. Since 1628, he had commanded a frigate for the Amsteredam admiralty. He became an Ordinary Captain in 1636. On April 22, 1639, he joined Tromp's fleet with the ship Omlandia. He served through the entire campaign without being mentioned for doing anything remarkable. After a 40-year served, he arranged on January 25, 1646 with his lieutenant, if he could continue to draw a salary for the rest of his life, if his wife, up until August 1, 1647, could supply victuals to the ship. This was permitted, but he died on October 12, 1646. This is from my translation of the passage in Dr. De Boer's book Tromp en de Armada van 1639 (1941).

Dutch Captain: Gerrit Veen

We know that in 1636, Gerrit Veen commanded the Amsterdam jacht Engel Gabriël (16 guns). We know some about the operations that were happening at this time. On September 5th, 1636, Captain Vijgh was given command of the last Rotterdam ship and sent to find the fleet, and report to the flag. Wemmer van Berchem had left the Texel on the 5th and joined with Van Dorp, while Captain Veen joined on the 7th. The Amsterdam jacht under the command of Barent Pieterszoon Dorrevelt joined the flag on October 5th, 1636. The jacht Engel Gabriël was replaced by the Drente, and Gerrit Veen was given the command. On July 12th, Captains Forant and Veen, in the jacht Drente, were sent to the Meuse to watch for provision ships. Gerrit Veen took part in the campaign leading up to the Battle of the Downs in 1639. At that time, he was suspected of forging his logbook and misreporting. He seems to have fought in the Battle of the Downs. In 1642, Gerrit Veen was courtmartialed and cashiered. He was found to have exhibited cowardice and was unable to keep discipline on his ship. Sources:

1. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Dunkerkers, 1949.

2. Charles R. Boxer, The Journal of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp Anno 1639, 1930.

3. Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, 1938.

Dutch Captain: Hendrick Janszoon Camp

Hendrick Janszoon Camp commanded the jacht Breda in 1636 and 1637. At this time, the district of Friesland was serving under the command of the Admiralty of Rotterdam. The Breda carried 22 guns and had a crew of 80 sailors and 20 soldiers. Tromp sent him on an independent mission to Cape LaFieve and Dieppe to see if there were merchant ships there, waiting to be convoyed, as his ship was in need of repairs and had problem with sails and was not fit to be with the fleet. In 1639, he commanded the Gideon, which carried 24 guns and had a crew of 100 men. De Sneuper says that this was a Directors jacht. He fought in the Battle of the Downs in 1639, under the command of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp. In 1640 and 1641, he was asked to serve under the command of the Admiralty of Friesland. In 1650 to 1652, he was on the last relief squadron sent to Brazil. Late in 1652, he fought in the Battle of Dungeness, where he commanded the Groningen, which had been purchased earlier in 1652. On 19 December, he had fought in a sharp engagement against two English frigates. He fought in the Battle of Portland, where he commanded the Groningen, again. He had recommended Lieutenant Frederick Stellignwerf to succeed him, but he was probably not appointed. Hendrick Janszoon Camp was supposedly a blood relative of Joris Gerritszoon Camp, who in 1614-1644 was a master constructor, burgomaster, Council member and tutor at the St.Ant.Gasthuis at Leeuwarden. A another member of that family, Lambert Camp, married Mayke Siccama, and served as a convoy master in 1664. Much of this is my translation of the information at De Sneuper website. I have addressed much of this previously, but I wanted to see if I could give a better translation.

An engraving from 1612 showing the Dutch blockading Dunkirk

Dr. M.G. De Boer's book Het Proefjaar van Maarten Harpertsz. Tromp 1637-1639 has an engraving said to have been made at Amsterdam in 1612. The narrow entrance to Dunkirk is visible, with a breakwater on either side that extends the channel. There is one tall tower visible to the right of the harbour entrance. To the immediate left seems to be a church. There is a castle visible immediately behind the entrance. There are nine Dutch ships shown blockading, along with boats being towed and rowed. The ships look very appropriate for 1612, being very high at the stern and low at the bow, with a beakhead. None of the ships is shown with spritsail topmast. They only have a jack at the end of the bowsprit. The blockading ships are mostly shown anchored, althogh two seem to be underway. One with full sails set, sailing to the left, from the far right, and another, facing to the right, towards the left, has yards lowered, with the maintopsail, foresail, and foretopsail set, but billowing. That ship, in particular, has an extended beakhead of the sort that was coming into vogue. The rest are shorter, in the earlier style.

The battle near Gibraltar on 16 October 1622

We would like to know more about the battle fought near Gibraltar on 16 October 1622. The battle was fought between a Dutch convoy escort and a Spanish squadron. In the battle, Laurens Jacobszoon Alteras was killed. We also know that Jasper Liefhebber fought in the battle, and that Joachem Hendrickszoon Swartenhondt was in command. On the KentishKnock.com site, the entry for Jasper Liefhebber mentions this episode. You must go to the page and then search for Liefhebber. Andrew found a piece that tells that in this battle, Joachem Hendrickszoon Swartenhondt commanded the ship Hollandsche Tuin, a ship of the Admiralty of Amsterdam. Admiral Swartenhondt was decorated for his service in this battle.

Five Dutch ships were detained by the English in July 1639

Sir John Pennington, the English admiral, was very understanding of the Dutch position versus the Spanish armada. The King and Lord High Admiral, however, were very pro-Spain, and anti-Dutch. After Dutch privateers had been raiding in English waters, Pennington detained five Dutch warships to force a formal apology. The ships and captains detained were:

• Utrecht, 28 guns Willem van Brederode
• Prins Willem, 32 guns Captain Pieterszoon
• Deventer, 28 guns Captain Post
• Overijssel, 26 guns Jacques Forant
• Tholen, 18 guns Captain Hollaer

Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
2. Charles R. Boxer, The Journal of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp Anno 1639, 1930.
3. Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, 1938.

Dutch Captain: Matheeus Megank

Matheeus Megank served the Admiralty of Amsterdam.

Ship name      Date      Guns Sailors Soldiers  Date built   Length Beam  Hold
Popkensburg    5/1672    24*                    1661*                    
Popkensburg    8/1672    24   77      20        1661*                    
Popkensburg    9/1672    24                     1661*                    
Damiaten       5/1673    32                     1663         120    29.5  12.5   
Damiaten       23/5/1673 32   84      26        1663         120    29.5  12.5   
Damiaten       8/1673    32   79       8        1663         120    29.5  12.5         
Harderwijk     7/1675    46   200               1662         133    34.5  14     

Matheeus Megank fought at the Battle of Solebay in May 1672. He also fought in the Schoonveld battles (at least at the first of the two). In August 1673, he fought in the Battle of the Texel. He was with De Ruyter's expedition sent to the Mediterranean Sea in 1675-1676. Andrew says that he fought in the battles of Stromboli and Agosta in 1676.

The second expedition to Spain 1626 to 1627

This is my attempt at translating the document "The second expedition to Spain was from 12 November 1626 to 10 July 1627" that wsa provided by Mr. Carl Stapel. "This concerns the outfitting of the second fleet of warships in the service of the admiralties. The hiring of the men was not paid, but the admiralties were assisted with the victualling and arming of the ships. The admiralties would propose captains to Prince Hendrick and he would appoint them.

Commander-in-chief:  Laurens Reael on board the Wapen van Amsterdam
Vice-Admiral:  Johan Evertsen
Schout-bij-Nacht: (not listed)

Admiralty of Amsterdam
Ship name            Lasts Crew  Guns  Captain                      Lieutenant

Wapen van Amsterdam  180   100   -     Ellert Thomaszoon            Arent Jansz. van Delften
Wapen van Edam       150   100   -     Hendrick Hendricksz. Cop     Hidde Hiessen
Roode Leeuw          150   100   -     Hans Bournon
Tonijn               140   100   -     Carsten Pieterssen Rosegerd  Willem van Dalen

The ship the Thetis with Captain Van der Haept remained off the Flemish coast

Admiralty of the Maze
Ship name            Lasts Crew  Guns  Captain                       Lieutenant

Halve Maen           180    90   -     Jan Janssen van den Kerckhoff Dirck Pieterssen
Abrahams Offerande   180    85   -     Claes Bontenburch             Willem Stoffelssen

Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier
Ship name            Lasts Crew  Guns  Captain                       Lieutenant

Mars (?)             160   100   -     Willem Codde van der Burch    -
-                    -     100   24    Jan Melcknap

Admiralty of Zeeland
Ship name            Lasts Crew  Guns  Captain                       Lieutenant
Zeeridder            180   -     -     Johan Evertsen                -
Postpaert(?)         140   -     -     Jan Hollaer                   -

Dutch Naval Officer: Cornelis Janszoon Gorcum

Luc Eekhout has a very short piece about Cornelis Janszoon Gorcum in Het Admiralenboek. He commanded in the fleet sent against Algerian privateers from 1618 to 1619. He served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He served as a temporary Vice-Admiral from 1 April 1618 until 3 March 1619. We know that on the expedition in 1618 to 1619, he served under Moy Lambert, who was the fleet commander. The documents that Mr. Carl Stapel found seem to indicate that in the first expedition, Cornelis Janszoon Gorcum was just a captain, while on the second expedition from May 1619 to October 1620, Cornelis Janszoon Gorcum was appointed as a temporary Vice-Admiral after Hillebrant Quast left the fleet on 29 May 1620.

Dutch Naval Officer: Laurens Jacobszoon Alteras

Laurens Jacobszoon Alteras was killed near Gibraltar on 16 October 1622. He was a skipper in the merchant marine, prior to being in the army from 1597 to 1599. He commanded in the Battle of Gibraltar and replaced Vice-Admiral van Heemskerck in 1607. He was killed with convoying merchant ships when attacked by a Spanish squadron. He served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He was appointed as a captain at sea in 1605. He served as a temporary Vice-Admiral from 27 January 1607 to 20 August 1607. On 18 February 1618, he was appointed as a Vice-Admiral. This is based on my translation of the entry in Luc Eekhout's Het Admiralenboek. We also know that Laurens Jacobszoon Alteras commanded the Zeeland ship Aeolus in 1620.

Dutch Captain: Jan Janszoon van den Kerckhoff

In 1626, Jan Janszoon van den Kerckhoff commanded the ship Halve Maen on the second expedition to Spain. His lieutenant was Dirck Pieterszoon. The Halve Maen was a ship of 180 lasts and had a crew of 90 men. He served the Admiralty of the Maze. Jan Janszoon van den Kerckhoff had a great argument with the Admiralty of the Maze over the cost of outfitting ships. He left the service in 1642 because of his age and was succeeded by Paulus van den Kerckhoff. This is based on what Mr. Carl Stapel passed on to me and my translation of the short biography of Jan Janszoon ven den Kerckhoff that is included. The document is titled "Tweede Nederlandse Engelse vloot in 12 november 1626 tot 10 juli 1627 naar Spanje". I estimate that the dimensions of an 180 last ship were about 122ft x 29ft x 11ft.

The Dutch captains Block

I am sure it is confusing. For a long time, I was confused about the two Dutch captains named Block who served during the First Anglo-Dutch War. Another, Willem Joosten Block, commanded a ship that seems to have been named the Zeeuwschen Leeuw (at least that is what the handwriting in the Staet van Oorlog te Water for 1628 seemed to indicate). In more modern Dutch, it might be named the Zeeuwse Leeuw. Willem Joosten Block served the Admiralty of Zeeland. Two others, Joris Janszoon Block served the Amsterdam Directors and Joost Willemszoon Block served the Admiralty of Zeeland. Presumably, by his name, the latter is the son of the captain from 1628

Joris Janszoon Block commanded the Hollandsche Tuin in 1653. The Hollandsche Tuin was hired by the Amsterdam directors and had the following characteristics:

Hollandsche Tuin
 Length: 130ft
 Beam:    29ft
 Hold:    13.5ft
 Guns:   32
  consisting of: 4-18pdr, 10-12pdr, 8-8pdr, 8-6pdr, and 2-3pdr

The listing doesn't give us the crew size.

Joost Willemszoon Block commanded the Wapen van Zeeland in 1652. This was a ship that carried 32 guns and was 118ft long. He commanded the same ship, apparently, at least until July 1654. The latter listing is somewhat problematic, as there are ships and captains either listed twice or listed in the Staet van Oorlog te Water for 1654 where the ship had been sunk earlier. In 1656, Willem Joosten Block commanded the Ter Veere (or Kampveere) in the expedition to Danzig.

There was another captain named Blok (which is another spelling for the same name as Block). This was Simon Blok, who served in the Second Anglo-Dutch War, and who served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He will be covered separately, if he has not already been covered.

Dutch Captain: Barent Maartenszoon Boom

Barent Maartenszoon Boom served the Admiralty of Zeeland. In 1672, he fought in the Battle of Solebay. Through 1672, he commanded the frigate Visschers Harder (26 guns). He fought in the First Schooneveld Battle, where he commanded the frigate Goes (34 guns). He was born in Zierikzee on 30 September 1639. In 1672, he was appointed as a Schout-bij-Nacht. He died on 29 January 1687 when his ship exploded. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

2. Luc Eekhout, Het Admiralenboek: De Vlagofficieren van de Nederlandse marine 1382-1991, 1992.

A note from late June or early July 1652

In Vol.II of Dr. Elias's book, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezn, there is a note on page 84. This is my translation of the note:

Of of the ships sent in 1649 to Brazil, the following returned in the course of June 1652: in Amsterdam on the 12th, the Aemelia, Captain Floris van Oy, and on the 20th, the Graeff Willem, Captain Tas, and the Westfriesland, Captain Boonacker; in the Wielingen, on the 20th, the ship of Captain Loncq; in Rotterdam on the 25th, the Dolphijn, Captain Paulus van den Kerckhoff, and the ship of captain Marinus de Clerq (previously captain Schooneman).

From the Admiralty of Rotterdam manuscript of 26 February 1652, we believe that Captain Schooneman commanded the Rotterdam ship Dolphijn (28 guns). The reality was the Captain Paulus van den Kerckhoff commanded the Rotterdam ship Nijmegen, which was sunk on the way home.

The first Dutch expedition against Spain from September 1625 to January 1626

Thanks, again to Mr. Carl Stapel, we have more information from the period prior to 1630. This time, he has the list of the ships and officers involved in the first Dutch expedition against Spain from September 1625 until January 1626 that operated in combination with an English squadron. This list only addresses the Dutch ships involved in the operation.

The States General prepared 20 ships to send on the expedition. The Admiralty colleges would equip the ships. The Admiralties hired the ships, and it was left to Prince Frederik Hendrik, as Admiral General, to choose the captains. The Dutch ships formed a separate squadron from the English.

Admiral: Lieutenant-Admiral jonker Willem van Nassau, heer van der Leck

Vice-admiral: Laurens Reael, on board the Gouden Leeuw

Schout-bij-Nacht: Hendrick Cleuter of Amsterdam

 

The ships and captains of Amsterdam

Adm Ship             lasts sailors Captain                     Lieutenant        

A   Geluckige Leeuw  300   150     Arent Corssen              Jan de Lapper              
A   --               280   140     Michiel van Edam           Jan Rosengijn     
A   Witte Eenhoorn   260   130     Hendrick Denijs            Jan van Edam
A   Gouden Leeuw     200   140     Pieter Barentsz. Dorrevelt Bouwen van der Gouw  
A   --               200   110     Anthoni van der Haept      Sweer Hermanssen
A   --               170    90     Pieter Janssen van Haerlem Gerrit Rijcken
A   a fluit          150     -     Jan Faessen                Rijckaert Dircksen
A   --               110    80     Jeroen Ewoutssen           Abel Tammega

 
The ships and captains of the Noorderkwartier

Adm Ship             lasts sailors Captain                     Lieutenant        

N   --               --    --      Cornelis Knijten Alkmaar    Symon Reynderssen
N   --               --    --      Govert Albertsz ’t Hoen     Jan Aertssen Mol
N   --               --    --      Cornelis Dirkssen Luijten   --
N   --               --    --      Pieter Hendriksz de Vries   --

The ships and captains of the Maze (Rotterdam)

Adm Ship             lasts sailors Captain                      Lieutenant        

M   Neptunus         --    80      Adriaen Engelen Silvergieter --
M   --               --    80      Isaac Janssen van Nyvelt     --
M   --               --    80      Hendrick Peckius             --
M   --               --    80      Jan Brustenssen de Jonge     --


The ships and captains of Zeeland

Adm Ship             lasts sailors Captain                      Lieutenant        

Z   --               --    --      Balthasar Diericxsen         --
Z   --               --    --      Cornelis de Visscher         --
Z   --               --    --      Jacob Adriaensz Swart        --
Z   --               --    --      Simon Cornelisz de Moor      --