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Sunday, September 18, 2005

Dutch Captain: Krijn van den Kerckhoven

I have very little information about Krijn van den Kerckhoven. I wonder if his last name is essentially the same as Krijn (or Quirijn van de Kerckhoff and Paulus van den Kerckhoff). Quirijn is probably a variant spelling for Krijn (or Cryn), so if I didn't know that Quirijn van den Kerckhoff had been killed at the Battle of Portland in early 1653, I would have thought that they were one in the same. We do know that Krijn van den Kerckhoven commanded the Rotterdam or Wapen van Rotterdam in the Battle of Lowestoft in June 1665. The Wapen van Rotterdam was probably built in about 1658. It was Aert van Nes's flagship in the Battle of the Sound in 1658, so that was the first time the ship was mentioned in published sources. We also know that the Wapen van Rotterdam was Aert van Nes's flagship in August and September 1665, so perhaps Krijn van den Kerckhoven was his flag captain, although we do not have the information to know for certain. Sources:
  1. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Sowie der Schwedisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1658-1659, 1923.
  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
  3. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1927.
  4. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
  5. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst Lowestoft 13 juni 1665", 2005.

Saturday, September 17, 2005

English Captain: Ralph Saunderson

Ralph Saunderson served in the Restoration navy. Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle appointed him as lieutenant of the 4th Rate Assistance in 1666. He was promoted to captain on 17 November 1667. In 1669, he was appointed as captain of the St. David. In 1670, he was appointed to command the East India Merchant. In 1671, he was given command of the Phoenix. In 1673, he was appointed as second Captain of the Sovereign by Prince Rupert. On 30 July 1674, the King appointed him as captain of the Portsmouth yacht. In 1676, he was appointed as captain of the Charles yacht. On 5 September 1677, he was appointed by the King to command the Charlotte yacht. The commissioners reappointed him as captain of the Charlotte yacht on 22 October 1681. On 31 August 1682, the commissioners appointed him to command the Fubbs yacht. The King reappointed him to command the Fubbs yacht on 27 March 1685. He obviously must have been a good yacht commander, given his string of commands. He died in 1699. Sources:
  1. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
  2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Friday, September 16, 2005

English Captain: John Wyborne

John Wyborne served in the Restoration navy. He commanded the fireship Joseph in 1666. He seems to have taken part in John Harman's attack on a French squadron at Martinique in 1667. The French squadron was annihilated, and this was the only English success of the year, according to Frank Fox. He commanded the Portsmouth in 1668 and 1669. The Portsmouth was rigged as a ketch in 1668 and as a pink in 1669. Later in 1669, he was operating with Sir Thomas Allin's squadron off of Spain and the North African coast. The Portsmouth was apparently still rigged as a ketch in that period. In 1672, he was appointed to command the Garland. On February 15, 1675, the King appointed John Wyborne to command the Speedwell and later in 1675 to command the Pearl. Sir John Narborough appointed him to command the James Galley on 8 October 1677. The Commissioners appointed him to command the Bristol on 21 October 1679 and the Rupert on 29 November, just over a month later. On 16 July 1681, the Commissioners appointed John Wyborne to command the Happy Return. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.II 1667-1678, 1940.
  2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
  3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Dutch Captain: Kommer Gerritszoon

Kommer Gerritszoon served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he commanded the English prize Luipaard (58 guns and a crew of 280 men). The Luipaard was in Cornelis Tromp'sm squadron. She had been captured at the Battle of Livorno in 1653. She had been Henry Appleton's flagship. The Luipaard was one of three Dutch three-decked ships, the other being the Spiegel. We don't know the details of her service in the Battle of Lowestoft, except that she survived the battle. We do know the Luipaard's dimensions, as the Staet van Oorlog te Water for the year 1654 gives them as 145ft x 35ft x 14ft (this is in Amsterdam feet). There is also an armament listed by De Jonge in a table for June 1665 for a 58 gun ship from Amsterdam: 4-24pdr, 20-18pdr, 4-12pdr, 20-8pdr, and 10-3pdr. This is at least representative of what might have been carried. Sources:
  1. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
  2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.I, 1858.
  3. Staet van Oorlog te Water voor den Jaere 1654, 1654.

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Dutch Captain: Adriaan Rodenhaes

Adriaan Rodenhaes (or Rodehaes) served the Admiralty of Amsterdam during the First Anglo-Dutch War. He spent most of the war in the Mediterranean Sea. After the English retook the frigate Phoenix on November 20, 1652, Adriaan Rodenhaes, in his hired ship the Rode Haes (presumably the ship was named after him, as he was owner) chased the Phoenix, although could not catch her. In March 1653, he fought in the Battle of Livorno, under the command of Johan van Galen. Van Galen died from his wounds in the battle. As a result of the battle, the English fleet under Badiley left the Mediterranean Sea to return to England. The First Anglo-Dutch War, unlike many other wars, was a purely naval war that focused on fleet actions to achieve control of the seas. Both sides realized that for effective commerce protection, the other's fleet needed to be defeated. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, "The First Dutch War in the Mediterranean," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.49, No.4, November 1963.
  2. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

More about Pieter de Sitter

Mr. Carl Stapel has passed on more information about Pieter de Sitter. It turns out that he died from the plague, not from enemy action. I was rather rushed, so the formatting is not as pretty as usual, but the information is good.
       Pieter de Sitter

Admiralty of Amsterdam


Died:  July 1676 on board the Zuiderhuis from the plague in the fleet. 

Date
1666 11-14 June  During the Four Days' Battle, he was flag captain of 
                 the Spiegel (1663), Abraham van der Hulsts' flagship.
                 Abraham van der Hulst was killed in the battle.
1667  May  He was captain of the ship of the line Huis te Jaersveld 
           (built in 1653, with 46 guns and a crew of 175 sailors and 30 soldiers)
           in the squadron of Michiel de Ruyter.

      June in the Raid on Chatham, he was captain of the Jaersveld (1653)
          with Vice-Admiral Enno Doedes Star in the vicinity of Rochester.

      15 July he was part of Aert van Nes's squadron
         On 21 juli 1667 he served with the same squadron in the vain
         attack on Harwich.

1672  May He commanded the Agatha (1665, 50 guns) in the 
         squadron of Michiel de Ruyter.
         
     7 June During the Battle of Solebay, he was part of Bancket's squadron 
         and his ship, the Agatha, was heavily engaged, with 13 dead, 
         17 severely and 18 lightly wounded

1673  7 June. In Schooneveld I he commanded the Agatha (1665–50/198-47)
     14 June  In Schooneveld II ditto
     21 Aug  In the Battle of Kijkduin (the Texel) he was captain of 
             the Agatha (1665–50/180-23) in Cornelis Tromp's squadron.

1674  May to September He was captain of the Beschermer (1665–50/188-91) in the
        expedition to Martinique under Michiel de Ruyter. 

1675   In July 1675 he was with the Zuiderhuis (46 guns and 200 men) 
        part of De Ruyter's fleet in the Mediterranean Sea.
1676   8 January  Battle of Stromboli
      22 April    Battle of Etna 
       1 June     Battle of Palermo. 
      He died in July from the "red course" or the plague

Dutch Captain: Adriaan van Rheede

Adriaan van Rheede served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In July 1654, he commanded the jacht Prinses, a vessel with 12 guns and dimensions 70ft x 18ft. He commanded the Tromp (or Muiltromp) at the Battle of Lowestoft, where he was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's squadron. The Tromp was taken in the battle and Adriaan van Rheede was captured, however the Tromp eventually was "let go" and rejoined the Dutch, although without her captain. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  2. Frank Fox, Great Ships: The Battlefleet of King Charles II, 1980.

Sunday, September 11, 2005

Dutch Captain: Adriaan van Veen

Adriaan van Veen served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In June 1665, he commanded the frigate Asperen (36 guns) and fought in the Battle of Lowestoft. He was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's squadron. In August 1665, he was still in the Asperen, now armed with 39 guns. He was assigned to De Ruyter's squadron. Later in August, he was in Schout-bij-Nacht Stachouwer's division. About September 11, 1665, he was operating under the command of Schout-bij-Nacht Adriaan Houttuijn. Sources:
  1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
  2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Saturday, September 10, 2005

Updated information on Cornelis Jakob van der Hoeven

Mr. Carl Stapel passed on his updated information about Cornelis Jakob van der Hoeven:
Cornelis Jakob van der Hoeven

Admiraliteit van de Maze


1689 (?)  kapitein ter zee
1666      commandeur


1666    4 and 5 Aug Two Days' Battle (St. James's Day Battle).
       Commandeur of the fireship Lijdzaamheid  (2 guns and a crew of 10 men)

1667    17 September in the fleet of De Ruyter in the Thames
       on the fireship Rotterdam (4 guns and a crew of 20 men, in the first
       squadron).
22 September Despite a rain of shot from heavy guns and muskets,
       sailed past the Castle Upnor, boarded the Loyal London and burnt
       the ship. De Ruyter found that the ship was not burnt well and
       sent another fireship alongside.

1671    He is commandeur of the fireship Gorinchem (6 guns and a crew
       of 27 men) in the fleet for the coast.

1672    7 June. In the Battle of Solebay, he commanded the adviesjacht
       Faam (12 guns and a crew of 33 men).
       31 July. Cruising in the North Sea.
       6 and 7 October The English fleet continued to be at Walcheren,
       but escaped them.

1673    7 June. First Schooneveld Battle. He commandeert the frigate
        Schiedam (built in 1662, 24 guns and a crew of 90 men)
       14 June. Second Schooneveld Battle. Still in the Schiedam.
       18 Aug. He captured an Engelse ketch and brought it to the
       Dutch fleet.
       21 Aug  Battle of the Texel (Kijkduin), on the Schiedam.

1674   He commanded the transport fluit Juffrouw Katharina (9 guns and 176 men)
       in the fleet of Michiel de Ruyter sent to Martinique.     

1678   He fritters away part of his crew for money by letting
      them serve in the country militia. As a result he had to appear before
      the Council of State.

1689   He commanded the de Oranje (built in 1677, with 50 guns)
      in the squardron of G. Schey in in the North Sea.

1690   He commanded the Oranje and sailed from St. Helens Bay

1691   He commanded the Oranje in the fleet of Philips van Almonde.
      He was dismissed from the service for plundering a prize.

Source: The notes of A. Vreugdenhil

Friday, September 09, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jan Janszoon Bout

Jan Janszoon Bout served the Admiralty of Amsterdam as a fireship commander. In July 1671, he commanded the fireship Sollenburg (with a crew of 20 men). He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he commanded the fireship Sollenburg. The Sollenburg must have been expended in the battle, since by June 23, 1672, he commanded the fireship Salamander, where he was attached to Isaac Sweers' squadron. In August 1672, Brandt lists him as commanding the fireship Draak and gives Pieter van Grootvelt as commander of the Salamander. On September 20th, Jan Janszoon Bout is still listed as commander of the Draak. In May 1673, he is listed as commander of the fireship Salamander. He is absent from the June 12th list. He next appears in 1675 in De Ruyter's fleet bound for the Mediterranean Sea. Jan Janszoon Bout commanded the fireship Sint Salvador (6 guns). He is listed under Vice-Admiral Jan de Haan in August 1675. On November 19, he is listed as being in De Ruyter's division. In early January 1676, he was attached to Jan de Haan's squadron. On April 22, 1676, he was in Jan de Haan's squadron at the Battle of Etna (Agosta). Sources:
  1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
  2. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Thursday, September 08, 2005

My updated list of De Ruyter's ships at Scheveningen

Michiel de Ruijter's Squadron at Scheveningen

De Ruijter apparently flew his flag on the Witte Lam, at both the Battle of the Gabbard and Scheveningen. I remember seeing, in Salt in Their Blood, that the Lam had 40 guns and a crew of 145 men. In the published list from 1652, near the beginning of the war, Jan Tijssen's ship only carried 32 guns and had a crew of 110 men. We know the composition of his squadron at Scheveningen by the orders he gave to the individual captains. These are documented in The First Dutch War, Vol.V. Asterisks (*) denote estimates. The ships are in the order that they are mentioned, except that we include De Ruyter's ship. At this time, Jacob Wolfertszoon's ship is the only one that is really unknown.

Captain/Admiral

"Admiralty"

Ship

Michiel De Ruyter

Vlissingen Directors

Witte Lam, 40 guns

Dingeman Cats

Zeeland

Gekroonde Liefde, 23 guns

Hendrick Kroeger

Amsterdam

Leiden, 28 guns

Lt-Commander Anthonis Fappenlain (or Anthonis Foppenthey), Lieutenant of Tijs Tijmenszoon Peereboom

Noorderkwartier

Peereboom, 24 guns

Jan Olivierszoon

Veere Directors

Wapen van der Veere, 38 guns

Gillis Janszoon

Zeeland

Zeeridder, 28 guns

Adriaan Corneliszoon van Ackersloot

Amsterdam Directors

Moor, 34 guns

Frans Mangelaar

Zeeland

Liefde, 30 guns

Evert Pieterszoon Swart

Amsterdam Chamber of the VOC

Gerechtigheid

Bastiaan Centen (Senten or Centsen)

Zeeland

Haes

Jan Pieterszoon Strijp

Amsterdam Chamber of the VOC

Huis van Nassau

Markus Hartman

Zeeland

Gekroonde Liefde, 34 guns

Jacob Wolfertszoon

Zeeland

Unknown ship, 28 guns*

Jacob Swart (possibly Jacob Cornelisz. Swart)

Amsterdam Directors

Faam, 28 guns

Pieter de Bitter

Amsterdam Chamber of the VOC

Mercurius, 40 guns

That would give De Ruijter's squadron a strength of 15 ships, which is plausible., although I would have guessed his squadron to be larger.

Dutch Captain: Jan Janszoon Maauw

Jan Janszoon Maauw served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. In August 1666, he commanded the old frigate Kasteel van Medemblik (30 guns). He commanded her in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's squadron. In 1667, he commanded the Caleb (48 guns). He took part in the Raid on Chatham in May and the Raid on Harwich in July. In 1671, he commanded the frigate Mercurius (24 guns). In 1672, he fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he commanded the Noorderkwartier (60 guns). The Noorderkwartier had five men killed and ten wounded. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
  3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

The list of ships at Vlissingen in July 1653

The list of ships at Vlissingen in July 1653 indicates that the Directie van Edam had one ship at the Battle of the Gabbard and it was captured. The Directie van Monnikendam had two ships at the Battle of the Gabbard. One was captured (actually, "taken", genomen)and the other survived. There is a note that the surviving ship was "een groot schip". There is a note that one of the four ships of the Admiralty of Friesland was sunk. Another is "Is overgegeven van Engelschen" or something similar to that. I would translate that literally as "has been delivered of the English". The ship belonging to the Directie van Harlingen was ready, but small (maer klein), and was in the Texel. The title of the list is deceiving, as while most ships were off Vlissingen, some were at Goeree and others (Witte de With's squadron) were in the Texel roads. The document that I am studying is four pages and is from the Nationaal Archief, from the Staten Generaal 1.01.04, inventory number 5556.

I'm still fascinated by the "Man van Edam"

Mr. Carl Stapel found the information about Hendrick Pieterszoon's ship that Schaap called the "Man van Edam". The dimensions given, interestingly enough are about those of the Resolution (Prince Royal) that fought on the English side in the First Anglo-Dutch War. I intend to check the copy of the manuscript for the list of ships at Vlissingen in July 1653, to see if I can find anything more about the issue of Harlingen Directors vs. Edam Directors vs. Monnikendam Directors vs. Admiralty of Friesland.

Dutch Captain: Dirk de Munnik

Dirk de Munnik served the Admiralty of the Maze. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle in August 1666. He commanded the jacht Lopende Hert (8 guns and a crew of 20 men). He was assigned to De Ruyter's division. In July 1667, he took part in the Raid on Harwich, where he commanded the snauw Faam (12 guns). He fought in the Battle of the Texel in August 1673, where he commanded the fireship Maria (4 guns). He was assigned to Aert van Nes's division. Sources:
  1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
  2. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.
  3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

The First Dutch War on Hendrik Pieterszoon's ship

The First Dutch War has several references to Hendrik Pieterszoon's ship as being an Edam Director's ship. It is interesting that Schaap calls the ship the Man van Edam (or I would guess, the Maan van Edam). It was Dr. Elias who called the ship Halve Maan a Monnikendam Director's ship, in his list of ships lost at the Gabbard (Nieuwpoort).

Dutch Captain: Hendrik Titus, Graaf van Nassau

Hendrik Titus, Graaf van Nassau, served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. Dr. Bruijn wrote that he was killed in action on June 7, 1673, while in command of the Provincie van Utrecht (60 guns). On the other hand, I have notes that indicate that a Hendrik Titus, Graaf van Nassau commanded the Friesland (62 guns) in 1688 and the Prinses Maria (92 guns) in 1696. R. C. Anderson indicates pretty decisively that he was killed at the First Schooneveld battle, so the other notes must be about some other man. We do know that he fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he commanded the frigate Haas (24 guns). His ship was attached to Van Ghent's squadron at Solebay. Anderson writes that his ship was heavily damaged in the battle and was sent home. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
  2. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

The ship "Man van Edam" (perhaps the Maan van Edam?)

Mr. Carl Stapel passed on an interesting bit of information from J.C.M. Schaap's article about Friesland ships:
"An odd one in the article of C.J.W. Schaap, the
Director's ship called Man van Edam

Man van Edam --- Directie Friesland  44 guns
168ft ( ? ) x  47ft  x  19ft

First mentioned in 1653

captain in 1653--Hendrik Pietersz.
This is interesting, as a Hendrik Pieterszoon was said to have commanded a Monnikendam Directors' ship called the Halve Maen. I wondered if "Man van Edam" might actually be "Maan van Edam". An argument against this theory is that the English captured the Halve Maan at the Battle of the Gabbard (Nieuwpoort) and took her into service as the Half Moon. They measured her at 97ft x 25ft x 10ft-8in and 322 tons (English). The 97ft is the length on the keel and the beam is measured outside the planking. The depth in hold is measured at the center of the deck. This is obviously a much smaller ship than that mentioned by Schaap.

Monday, September 05, 2005

Dutch Captain: Klaas Anker

Klaas Anker (Claes Ancker) served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He was in De Ruyter's fleet in August 1665, where he commanded the Hollandsche Tuin (56 guns). He was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's squadron. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle in August 1666, where he commanded the old Eendracht (44 guns) built in 1639. He was assigned to Jan Corneliszoon Meppel's division. He commanded the Alkmaar in 1672. He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where the Alkmaar carried 62 guns. He was assigned to De Ruyter's squadron. In the battle, the Alkmaar had two men severely wounded and five lightly wounded. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
  3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jan Bankert

Jan Bankert served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He was the son of Joost Bankert de Oude and Adriana Janszoon. He was appointed as a captain in 1653. He was married to Jannetje Hannot. He died on June 13, 1665. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he commanded the frigate Delft (34 guns and a crew of 181 men). Sources:
  1. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Hollandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.
  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
  3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

New from Mr. Carl Stapel: the Jonge Prins of 1634

Mr. Carl Stapel recently sent information about the Noorderkwartier ship Jonge Prins, built in 1634. This is based on my translation of what he sent:
Jonge Prins       1634

Adm Name                 Length Beam  Hold      Guns    In service:
N   Jonge Prins          120    28    11.5      28      1634-1665

Built in 1634

Armament in 1634 (or is it July 1654?): 
28 guns, consisting of the following: 
bronze: 2-24 pdr and 2-12 pdr
Iron:   8-12 pdr, 8-8 pdr, 2-5 pdr, 4-4 pdr, and 2-2 pdr  

Date    Captain                  Guns Sailors Soldiers Notes
   1652 Cornelis Barentsz Slordt 28   115              Mediterranean Sea 
 3/1653 Cornelis Barentsz Slordt 28                    Battle of Livorno (Leghorn)
   1654 Cornelis Barentsz Slordt 28
   1658 Govert Cornelisz 't Hoen 30   110              Battle of the Sound
   1659 Govert Cornelisz 't Hoen 30   110              against Sweden. 
                                                       On 24 June, was hunted
                                                       by Sweden on the coast at
                                                       Korsens, and the impression
                                                       was that the ship was entirely
                                                       lost, but the ship made its
                                                       way independently and 
                                                       rejoined the fleet.
   1664 Jan Halffhoorn           36 
 6/1665 Jan Halffhoorn           36   110 24           Battle of Lowestoft     

The ship was captured by the English at the Battle of Lowestoft

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Dutch Captain: Lieuwe van Hasevelt

Lieuwe van Hasevelt served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he commanded the Harderin (38 guns and a crew of 148 men). He was assigned to Egbert Meeuwssen Kortenaer's squadron. He was in De Ruyter's fleet in August 1665. He was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's squadron. In August, the Harderin carried 40 guns and had a crew of 126 sailors, 13 marines, and 17 soldiers. this is one of the few lists that provide information about marines carried. Usually, they are combined with sailors. Sources:
  1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
  2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Friday, September 02, 2005

Dutch Captain: Ysbrandt de Vries

Ysbrandt de Vries served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1658, he commanded the ship Harderin (34 guns) in De Ruyter's fleet that was sent to the coast of Portugal in June 1658. In 1659, he commanded the Gouda (40 guns) in De Ruyter's fleet that was sent to the Sound. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665, where he commanded the Doesburg (48 guns). He was assigned to Egbert Meeuwssen Kortenaer's squadron. In August 1665, he was in De Ruyter's fleet. In May 1667, he commanded the Stavoren (46 guns) in the Raid on Chatham. Sources:
  1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
  2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jan Frederikszoon Hoekboot (UPDATED)

According to the list in the 1652 edition of the Hollandsche Mercurius, Jan Frederikszoon Hoekboot (the Hollandsche Mercurius calls him Jan Friedrickszoon Houcbout) commanded an Edam Directors' ship in June 1652. The ship carried 30 guns and had a crew of 110 men. There is also a manuscript from the Nationaal Archief that lists captain's names from this same period. Hendrik de Raedt's pamphlet of the fleet that went to the Shetlands in July and August 1652, and was disrupted by the great storm, confirms that Jan Frederikszoon Hoekboot to part. He fought in the Battle of Dungeness in December 1652. Andrew passed on information from Mr. Carl Stapel that seems to indicate that with his name spelled Jan Frederikszoon Hoekboot, he served the Admiralty of Amsterdam and was in the Mediterranean under De Ruyter's command in 1657. We do know that he fought at the Battle of the Gabbard, and was accused of not doing his duty, but he was acquitted at a courtmartial. He was said to have died in April 1657. I believe that the information form 1657 is probably from Brandt, but I might be mistaken. Sources:
  1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
  2. Pieter Casteleyn, Hollandsche Mercurius, 1652.
  3. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.V, 1928.
  4. Dr. S. R. Gardiner, and C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.III, 1906.
  5. Hendrik de Raedt, Lyste van de schepen van Oorloge onder het beleyt Admirael Marten Harpersz. Tromp, 1652

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Dutch captain: Franscois (or Francois) van Aarsen

Franscois (or Francois) van Aarsen served the Admiralty of the Maas. In 1672, he commanded the frigate Utrecht (36 guns). He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he was attached to De Ruyter's squadron. The Utrecht had one man killed and two severely wounded. On June 23, 1672, he was with the fleet that was anchored 3 miles northwest of West Cappel. On July 31, 1672, he was with the fleet that was lying off Schooneveld. On September 21, 1672, he was with the fleet, lying in the Texel. All through this period, the Utrecht was attached to De Ruyter's squadron. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.

The Friesland ship Groenewold

Mr. Carl Stapel gave us this information about the Friesland ship Groenewold. He says that the ship was built for the Admiralty of Friesland in 1652:
Groenewold    1652
Admiralty  Name         Length    Beam   Hold   Guns    In Service
Friesland  Groenewold   132-1/2ft 31     13     44      1652-1654

Built at Harlingen in 1652

Armament:   12-18pdr, 8-12pdr, 4-12pdr, 10-8pdr, and 8-6pdr

Date      Captain
7/1654    Theunis Groenewolt


References: Vreugdenhil's notes
           ARA  XLV III.4

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Dutch Captain: Cornelis Victol

Cornelis Victol served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. In June 1665, he commanded the Eenhoorn (or Witte Eenhoorn) at the Battle of Lowestoft. He still commanded her in August 1665. At the Four Days' Battle, he commanded the Caleb. The Caleb measured 130ft x 32ft x 13.5ft and carried 6-18pdr, 18-12pdr, 16-8pdr, 4-6pdr, and 4 smaller guns. Her crew consisted of 202 sailors and 35 soldiers. Five men were killed and 11 were wounded in the battle. Captain Victol later died from his wounds. Sources:
  1. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.
  2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

More about Eland Du Bois, thanks to Andrew

Andrew found "a small bit of information about the famous captain Eland Du Bois. He was a very young captain-from 24 years. Eland Govertsz du Bois was christened on 17 Aug 1642 in Schiedam. He died on 26 Dec 1676 in Schiedam. He was buried on 31 Dec 1676 in Schiedam. He married Maria Hugo van Bleiswijk on 17 Jul 1669, also in Schiedam." We thank Andrew for these details.

Monday, August 29, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jan Rylofszoon

Brandt has some information that would lead me to believe that perhaps Jan Rylofszoon (or is it Reylofszoon) had served as a merchant skipper in the 1660's. He is said to be from Hoorn. There is a reference about the Smyrna convoy in 1665 on page 376 of Brandt. There is another reference from 1672 about him on page 766. The primary reference to Jan Rylofszoon is in 1674, when he is given the captain of the Amsterdam transport fluit Liefde (16 guns) in De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique. The crew is 32 sailors and there are 92 soldiers, of which some or all were being transported to fight on land. Sources:
  1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.

Dutch Captain: Anteunis Matthijszoon

Anteunis Matthijszoon served the Admiralty of Zeeland. In July 1672, he commanded the advice jacht Zeehond. From August 1673, he commanded the frigate Goes (or Ter Goes) (34 guns). He fought in the Battle of Solebay in May 1672, in the Zeehond. He was attached to Lt-Admiral Bankert's squadron. He also fought in the Battle of the Texel in August 1673, where he was assigned to Lt-Admiral Bankert's division. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
  3. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jan Bogaart

Jan Bogaart served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He commanded the advice jacht Egmond (10 guns) in 1672. He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where the Egmond had two men severely wounded. He was assigned to Van Ghent's squadron. In 1673, he commanded the frigate Bommel (24 guns). He was probably present at the Schooneveld battles and fought in the Battle of the Texel in August. He was assigned to Isaac Sweers' division. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
  3. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jan de Laucourt

Jan de Laucourt served the Admiralty of the Maze. In 1671, Brandt called him Joan Jacob de Laucourt, when he commanded the newly built Rotterdam ship Zeelandia (44 guns). In 1672, he fought in the Battle of Solebay in the Zeelandia. He not very heavily engaged as his ship had just one man severely wounded and one lightly wounded. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.

English Captain: William Lee

William Lee served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he commanded the Fortune fireship. In 1666, he commanded the fireship Paul, a Dutch prize from the First Anglo-Dutch War. Frank Fox writes that William Lee commanded the Fortune fireship in the Four Days' Battle in June 1666. The Paul was still fitting out at that date. William Lee fought in the St. James's Day Battle where the Fortune was expended. In 1672, he commanded the Olive Branch fireship. He was appointed captain in 1665 and entered the Swedish service in 1676. He was murdered in 1678. Andrew says that he commanded the Gottenborg in the Battle of Kjoge in 1677. Sources:
  1. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
  2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
  3. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.

Friday, August 26, 2005

Dutch Captain: Mozes Wichmans

Mozes Wichmans served the Admiralty of the Maze. He died in 1676. In 1671, he commanded the frigate Schiedam (24 guns). In 1672, he fought in the Battle of Solebay and commanded the frigate Harderwijk (24 guns). He probably fought in the Schooneveld battles and then in the Battle of the Texel. At the Texel, he was assigned to Aert van Nes's division. An interesting sidepoint is that the Dutch spelling in the journals in Dr. Bruijn's book is considerably different from the current spelling, although it is relatively easy to understand the mapping between them. In June 1674, Mozes Wichmans commanded the fluit Moriaans Hoofd in De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique. His ship carried 136 soldiers. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
  3. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Thursday, August 25, 2005

Some good information thanks to Mr. Carl Stapel

Mr. Carl Stapel sent me some good information today.

One thing he found was that Jacob Cleijdijck's ship that was sunk at the Battle of Portland on February 28, 1653, was named the Meerman. We know from other sources that the Meerman carried 30 guns and had a crew of 120 men. The Meerman was a Director's ship of Rotterdam (or the Maze).

Another piece of information that Carl Stapel pointed me to was in Captain Warnsinck's book about Pieter de Bitter. In there, we find that Pieter de Bitter commmanded the Mercurius, a VOC ship, in 1653. The Mercurius carried 40 guns and had a crew of 200 men, according to Captain Warnsinck.

Then, there is a list of five Admiralty of Amsterdam ships that left for the Mediterranean in March 1650, under the command of Johan van Galen:

Ship        Built      Guns Crew Captain
Maen                             Jan van Galen
Leeuwarden  1645       34   130  Gideon de Wildt
Morgenster  1644       28   110  Cornelis Tromp
Ver. Prov   1643       36   140  Hendrick Swart
Hazewind    1649,jacht 16    80  Cornelis van Velsen

Dutch Captain: Matthijs Dirkszoon Pijl

Matthis Dirkszoon Pijl served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. Prof. Bruijn says of him that he was "first lieutenant of the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier". Matthijs Dirkszoon Pijl commanded the Wapen van Holland (44 guns) at the Battle of the Texel. He had been appointed as captain of the Wapen van Holland on June 7, 1673. Andrew says that he seems to have continued his career with the Danish navy, starting from 1676, first as a captain and later as a rear-admiral. He fought in the Battle of Kjöge Bay in 1677. In that Battle, Andrew says that the Charlotte Amalie (64 guns) was Pijl's flagship. There is a Danish source that says that he died in 1678. Sources:
  1. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Dutch Captain: Abraham Ferdinand van Zijll

Abraham Ferdinand van Zijll lived from about 1640 until 3 August 1697. He served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He was appointed as a lieutenant in 1665 and served on the Vergulde Zon (44 guns) and fought in the Battle of Lowestoft. In 1666, he fought in the Four Days' Battle on the Muiltromp (46 guns). He distinguished himself in the St. James's Day Battle in August 1666 in the defense against fireships. He was appointed as a captain in 1667. He commanded the Leeuwen (50 guns) in the Raid on Chatham and the Raid on Chatham. From 1672 until 1674, eh served under Binckes in the expedition to the West Indies and New Netherlands. In 1676, he served in the north under Cornelis Tromp. He captured a Swede, fought in Bornholm and Oland. In 1683, he served under Schepers in the expedition to Gothenburg. In 1688, he commanded the Elswoud (60 guns) in the armada that took Willem III to England. In 1689, he took part in the conquest of Cork. In 1690, he commanded the Reigersbergen at Beachy Head. In 1693, he was in the convoy service under Van der Goes on the Spanish coast. In 1696, he commanded a squadron in the North Sea. In 1697, he commanded the 't Loo (64 guns) in a small squadron in the West Indies, and died there. This is based on my translation of the piece in Mollema's "Honor Roll". It is supplemented from my list of Dutch ships and Brandt.

Dutch Ship Henriette Louise

Mr. Carl Stapel found an interesting document that was in the Jaarboek van het Fries Scheepvaart Museum from 1982, and was on pages 42-84. The piece was called "Admiraliteit van Friesland" and was written by C.W.J. Shaap. Carl writes that Schaap listed "every ship ever used by the Admiralty of Friesland". Carl writes about the VOC ship Henriette Louise (or Louise Henriette) (of 40/50 guns) built in 1637 and hired from 1652-1654. The Middelburg Chamber of the VOC "rented the ship to the state", apparently at no charge. In November 1652, like several other ships, the crew mutinied as "the ship was dirty and unfit the sail or fight". The ship was paid off and released on 24 December 1652. In July 1653, the refitted ship joined the fleet at Vlissingen. "It took part at the battle of Ter Heide ( 10 aug ). Oncemore the crew mutined and the officers were forced to leave the fleet or otherwise be captured. They ignored an order by Johan Evertsen to join the fleet and sailed to Goeree. In 1654 the ship was returned to the VOC." This is information that probably is not widely known.

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Dutch Captain: Nikolaas Boes

We have very little information about Nikolaas Boes. He served the Admiralty of Amsterdam and commanded the ship Jaarsveld (48 guns) at the Battle of Solebay. He was assigned to De Ruyter's squadron. The battle was fought on the port tack for 6 hours, and the Jaarsveld was dismasted and was fortunate to escape. The Jaarsveld was built in 1653 and had dimensions 130ft x 32ft x 13.5ft. Frequently, her crew was about 200 men. She carried as many as 52 guns, although not in the third war. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
  2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

Monday, August 22, 2005

Dutch Captain: Adriaan Bankert de Jonge

Adriaan van Trappen Bankert de Jonge was the son of Adriaan Bankert, the Lieutenant-Admiral. He died in 1678. He served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He commanded the frigate Delft during 1673 and 1674. He was certainly present for the first Schooneveld battle, and perhaps, the second. He fought in the Battle of the Texel in August 1673. He was assigned to Cornelis Evertsen de Jonge's division within his father's squadron. In June 1674, he was in De Ruyter's fleet on the expedition to Martinique. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
  3. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jan van Abkoude

Jan van Abkoude served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He died in 1680. He commanded the frigate Oudkarspel (34 guns) in the Battle of the Texel in August 1673. He was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's division. In July 1675, he commanded the frigate Leiden (36 guns). He was with De Ruyter's fleet that was sent to the Mediterranean Sea. On 29 November 1675, he was assigned to De Ruyter's division. At Stromboli, he was in De Ruyter's Second Squadron. At Etna (Agosta), he was also in De Rutyer's squadron. His ship was apparently lost at the Battle of Palermo, when the combined Dutch-Spanish fleet was defeated. Sources:
  1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
  2. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Saturday, August 20, 2005

The Dutch ship: Wassenaer (1693)

This is another good piece by Mr. Carl Stapel. This is about the Wassenaer, built in 1693 by the Admiralty of the Maze:
Wassenaar  1693

Adm Name             Length  Beam      Hold       Guns      In service
M   Wassenaar        145ft   39-3/4ft  15-1/2ft   60        1692-1716

Built in Rotterdam in 1692 by Van Leeuwen and is an ship of the line of the 4th Rate.
Sistership = Zeelandia (1693)

Armament:  24-18pdr, 22-12pdr, and 14-4pdr

Date    Captain                   Guns Sailors Soldiers Notes
   1693 Cornelis van Brakel                             Cruising in the Channel           
 6/1695 Cornelis van Brakel       60   300              in harbor at Spithead
 9/1695 Cornelis van Brakel       60                     Mediterranean Sea and Spain 
   1696 Cornelis van Brakel       60   325              With Almonde in the Channel
   1697 Cornelis van Brakel       60                    Cruise in the North Sea
   1698 Cornelis van Brakel       60 
 5/1699 Jan van der Goes          60                    Convoy service in the
                                                         Mediterranean Sea
   1700 Jan van der Goes          60                    in the Mediterranean Sea    
   1701      Laid up                                            
   1702 Jacob van Cooperen        60                    Battle of Vigos
   1703 Johan van Convent         60                    26-4 to 17-9 in 
                                                         the North Sea squadron.
   1704 Cornelis van Brakel       64                    In a calm, attacked by 
                                                         galleys from Ostende
   1707 Cornelis van der Graaf    64                    in the Mediterranean Sea
11/1708 Cornelis van der Graaf    64                    in the Netherlands

The second ship with this name and named after the glorious country estate.
It was built with extraordinary funds.
In 1716, the ship was useless and sold for breaking up.

Dutch Captain: Joris Andringa

Joris Andringa lived from 1635 until 28 May 1676. He was secretary of the States' Fleet from 1666 until 1674. He served the Admiralties of Friesland and Amsterdam. In 1664, he served as secretary to De Ruyter in the Mediterranean Sea an din the West Indies. He also served as secretary to De Ruyter from 1665 until 1666. In 1673, he was wounded in the Battle of the Texel and was promoted to captain. He commanded the Stad en Lande (54 guns) in De Ruyter's fleet that was sent to the Mediterranean Sea in 1675. He fought in the battles near Sicily (Andrew says Stromboli, Agosta (Etna), and Palermo), but died in the epidemic of sickness that swept the fleet. Sources:
  1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
  2. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.
  3. J. C. Mollema, De Eere Rol, from Geschiedenis van Nederland ter Zee, Vol.II, 1940.

Friday, August 19, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jan Heck

Jan Heck served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He started the First Anglo-Dutch War in command of the hired ship Adam en Eva, which was serving as fishery protection convoyer. The Adam en Eva (24 guns) was captured in July 1652 when Robert Blake's fleet attacked the Dutch fishing busses and their convoyers. In 1652, the English had not started their collection of captured Dutch captains, so Jan Heck was quickly repatriated. He was given command of the Eenhoorn, to which The First Dutch War referred as a hired ship, one of the 100 ships hired in 1652. Since in July 1654, the Staet van Oorlog te Water for 1654 clearly indicates that the ship was the ship built in 1625 (which has been called the "patriarch" of the Dutch navy, due to its age), this must have been the States' ship. There is a note that says that in the spring of 1653, the Eenhoorn had been damaged in the last battle, which almost certainly was the Battle of Portland. We next see Jan Heck mentioned in 1666, when he commanded the Caleb (47 guns) in the St. James's Day Battle. In 1667 and 1672, he commanded the Justina van Nassau. He took part in the Raid on Chatham in May 1667. He also took part in the Raid on Harwich in July. In 1672, he commanded the Justina van Nassau in the Battle of Solebay. In 1673, he was the oldest captain serving the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He commanded the Westfriesland in the Schooneveld battles and the Battle of the Texel. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2005.

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

  3. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

  4. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jacob van Berchem

Jacob van Berchem served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. Sadly, I do not have much information about him. We know that he served in De Ruyter's fleet sent to the Sound in 1659-1660. In that fleet, he commanded the Tromp (or Muiltromp). The Tromp was built in 1655 at Amsterdam, probably in the continuation of the First Anglo-Dutch War building program. In 1659, the Tromp carried 40 guns and had a crew of 190 men. Her dimensions were 130ft x 32ft x 13-1/2ft. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  2. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.
  3. G. L. Grove, Journalen van de Admiralen Van Wassenaer-Obdam (1658/59) en De Ruyter (1659/60), 1907.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jacob Dirkszoon Boom

Jacob Dirkszoon Boom commanded the Amsterdam frigate IJlst during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. We first see him in the published literature serving in De Ruyter's fleet in August 1665. In 1666, he fought in the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle. In the Four Days' Battle, the IJlst had five killed and 11 wounded. The IJlst was a relatively new ship, having been completed about 1663. Her dimensions were 114ft x 28ft x 11ft. In August 1665, she carried 36 guns. At the Four Days' Battle, she carried 34 guns. On the lower tier, she carried 6-12pdr and 12-8pdr. On the upper tier, she carried 12-6pdr. On the quarterdeck, she carried 4-2pdr. Her crew at the Four Days' Battle was about 116 sailors and 20 soldiers. She suffered heavily in masts and spars, and was heavily engaged for a time. She was attached to Cornelis Tromp's squadron in both the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle. Sources:
  1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
  2. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.
  3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Monday, August 15, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jan Noirot

Jan Noirot served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In July 1672, he commanded the Beschermer (50 guns). In 1673, he commanded the small frigate Popkensburg (24 guns). He fought in the first Schooneveld battle, and probably in the second. In August 1673, he fought in the Battle of the Texel. In that battle, he was assigned to Isaac Sweers' division. In 1674, he commanded the Graaf Floris fluit (12 guns) in Michiel De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique. The Graaf Floris transported 137 soldiers in that operation. In July 1675, he was with De Ruyter's fleet sent to the Mediterranean Sea. He commanded the frigate Groenwijf (36 guns). Andrew says that he fought in the battles of Stromboli, Agosta (Etna), and Palermo in 1676. Sources:
  1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

  2. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Sunday, August 14, 2005

Dutch Captain: Hendrik Vollenhoven

Hendrik Vollehoven served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He lived from about 1630 until 28 September 1669. In 1665, he commanded the old ship Zon at the Battle of Lowestoft (where the Zon carried 48 guns) and in De Ruyter's fleet in August 1665 (where the Zon carried 5o guns). In 1666, he commanded the Tromp (or Muiltromp) and fought in the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle (the Two Days' Battle). In May 1667, he took part in the Raid on Chatham, where he was Van Ghent's flag captain (according to Mollema), although Brandt lists him as commanding the Agatha (50 guns) in the 3rd Squadron. Sources:
  1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
  2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
  3. J. C. Mollema, De Eere Rol, from Geschiedenis van Nederland ter Zee, Vol.II, 1940.

The Noorderkwartier 3-decker Beschermer

This is based on my translation of a piece from Mr. Carl Stapel:
Beschermer 1690  three-decker

                                   Length Beam Hold Guns  In service
N   Beschermer  or Bescherminge    170    43   16   90    1690–1721

Built in 1690 at Enkhuizen-a ship of the first rate-three decker. 

Armament: 12-30pdr; 18-24pdr; 30-18pdr; 24-6pdr; and 6-4pdr 

Date   Captain                   Guns Crew Notes
5/1692 Jan van der Poel          84 !      Battle of La Hougue
  1693 C. Muys                   90        In Channel Fleet under P v Almonde  
  1696 Cornelis Jacobsz de Boer  90   475  With Almonde in the North Sea
  1702 Lt-Adm Gerard Callenburgh 90        naar Cadiz en Vigos
  1705 Jan de Jongh              92   500  Capture of Gibraltar and Battle of Malaga   

Sold in 1721 because of age.

Saturday, August 13, 2005

Dutch Captain: Egbert Pieterszoon Quispel

Egbert Pieterszoon Quispel served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He fought in the Four Days' Battle as Frederik Stachouwer's flag captain on the Maagd van Enkhuizen 72 guns) (or Wapen van Enkhuizen). Stachouwer apparently killed on the second day of the Four Days' Battle. Egbert Quispel continued to guide the Maagd van Enkhuizen for another day, and then headed for Vlissingen to repair the heavy damage. The Maagd van Enkhuizen had been built at Amsterdam in 1665. Her dimensions were 150ft x 39ft x 14ft. Her crew at the Four Days' Battle was 260 sailors and 51 soldiers. She lost 19 killed, including Frederik Stachouwer. She Carried 72 guns, including: 4-brass 24pdr, 4-brass 18pdr, 18-18pdr, 2-brass 12pdr, 24-12pdr, and 20-6pdr. Sources:
  1. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.
  2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Carl Stapel's piece on Roemer Vlacq

This is my translation of Mr. Carl Stapel's piece about Roemer Vlacq, the Dutch captain.
          Roemer Vlacq

Admiralty of Amsterdam

Born:         1637 at Gouda
Married:
Died:      17-07-1703, died from wounds suffered in fight against Coetlogon

1683: captain
1671: commandeur


1671: he commanded the adviesjacht the Kits (6/12) in the coastguard

1672 June. He commanded the frigate Postiljon (78 sailors) in the
         Battle of Solebay and had two dead, 5 severely wounded,
         and 4 lightly wounded, while serving in
         Michiel De Ruyter's squadron.

1673       7 June. He fought on board the frigate Brak (built in 1666,
                 24 guns, and a crew of 83 sailors and 17 soldiers)
                 in the first Schoonveld battle.
         14 June. In the same ship, he fought in the second Schooneveld battle.
         21 Aug  In the Battle of the Texel (Kijkduin),
                 he again commanded the frigate Brak.
1674       He commanded the transport ship Opperdoes (16 guns) under
         De Ruyter at Martinique.
1676       In March 1676, with Jacob Binckes, voyage to the West on
         board the Huis te Kruiningen (built in 1653, with 56 guns)
1677       3 March. Battle of Tobago. The Huis te Kruiningen was lost and Roemer
         Vlacq was severely wounded. He returned in October to the Nethelands.
1678       He convoyed merchant ships to Biscay.
1690       He was a convoyer in the Sound.
1691       idem
1692       He was ashore, due to insubordination.
1693       He was ashore.
1694       He was ashore.
1695       He was ashore.
1696       14 February. Willem III lifted his suspension and restored him to
         to the service of the Admirality of Amsterdam, and restored
         his dignity.
1697       He was a convoyer
1698       idem
1699       idem
1700       idem
1701       idem
1702       idem

He commanded the Muiderberg (built in 1693, with 50 guns and a crew of 210) in a convoy, with a squadron of 5 warships and 100 merchantships from Lisbon to the Netherlands on 22 May 1703. He met 5 large French warships under the command of Rear-Admiral Coetlogon. Vlacq distinguished himself in a fight against 2 French three deckers of 90 guns, and saved the merchantships. All the States' warships were lost, however. Vlacq was severely wounded and was taken, with the other prisoners, to Toulon. Roemer Vlacq died there on 17 July 1703 from his wounds. The remaining captains were repatriated in October to their native country.

Friday, August 12, 2005

Dutch Naval Officer: Geleyn Evertsen

Geleyn Evertsen served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He was born on 22 January 22 1655 at Vlissingen, and he died at Middelburg on 25 July 1721. He was appointed as a captain in 1679, a schout-bij-nacht on 1 April 1684, vice-admiral on 17 April 1695, and lieutenant-admiral on 22 June 1707. In 1672 and 1673, he served as a lieutenant, having been appointed in 1672. He fought in the battles of Solebay, Schooneveld, and the Texel. In 1674, he served under De Ruyter in the expedition to Martinique and was wounded. In 1683, he served under Admiral Schepers in the Sound. In 1688, he served as a Schout-bij-Nacht in the fleet that took Willem III to England. IN 1690, he served under Almonde on the Spanish coast. He also took part in the capture of Cork and Kinsdale. In 1692, he distinguished himself in the Battle of La Hougue. From 1693 to 1697, he commanded in the North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, on the Schelde, and in the convoy service to Spain. From 1700 to 1703, he commanded on the Schelde. He blockaded Dunkirk and commanded in the North Sea squadron. Sources:
  1. Luc Eekhout, Het Admiralenboek, 1992.
  2. J.C. Mollema, De Eere Rol, from Geschiedenis van Nederland ter Zee, Vol.II, 1940.

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Dutch Captain: Michiel Suis

Michiel Suis served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1666, he commanded the Campen (or Kampen) (46 guns). He fought in the Four Days' Battle, where he was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's squadron. He may have been in the rear division, under the command of Abraham van der Hulst, but we cannot be sure, as some of those ships listed in Frank Fox's book may have actually been in the van, not the rear. Michiel Suis also fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was in Cornelis Tromp's division. In 1667, he commanded the newer ship Stad Gouda (46 guns) in the Raid on Chatham, in May, and the Raid on Harwich, in July. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

  3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jan du Bois

Jan du Bois served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He commanded the ship Vrede during 1666 and 1667. He fought in the Four Days' Battle, but must not have been heavily engaged, as the Vrede only had one wounded and none killed. He was assigned to Jan Janszoon van Nes's division in the battle. He also fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was in the same unit. In May of 1667, he took part in the Raid on Chatham. In July, he was at the Raid on Harwich. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

  3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Dutch Captain: Francois Palm

Francois Palm served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He lived from about 1620 until 11 August 1674. Her entered the army in 1665 as a captain. He entered the marines as a lieutenant-colonel. He was a colonel in 1672. He commanded the Kruiningen (60 guns) in the Four Days' Battle and the Oisterwijk (68 guns) in the St. James's Day Battle in 1666. In 1667, he commanded the Deventer (62 guns) in the Raid on Chatham. In 1672, he was intended for the fireship attack at Solebay. He commanded the Waesdorp in the Battle of Solebay. The Waesdorp lost 8 dead and 10 wounded in the battle. He was assigned to Michiel De Ruyter's squadron. In 1672, he distinguished himself at the waterline at Naarden and Woerden. He was killed in 1674 at the Battle of Senef. This was apparently a land battle between the Dutch and Spanish armies, as allies against the French. The French were led by the redoubtable Prince Condé, while the Dutch were led by Willem III, Prince of Orange. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
  2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
  3. J. C. Mollema, De Eere Rol, from Geschiedenis van Nederland ter Zee, Vol.II, 1940.

Monday, August 08, 2005

Dutch frigate Rotterdam (1678)

This is my translation of information from Mr. Carl Stapel, whom we thank.
Rotterdam frigate 1678

                                       Length Beam     Hold
Admiralty of the Maze     Rotterdam    120ft  32-1/4ft 12 ft    

44 guns In service from  1678 to 1694

Built in 1678 at Rotterdam by van Den Tempel.

Date   Captain               Guns Crew Notes
1688   Cornelis van Convent  44   170  With the fleet that took Willem III to England
1690   Matthijs Paradijs     44        Convoyer in the North Sea
1691   Samuel Forman         44        Convoyer to Portugal
1692   Samuel Forman         44        Convoyer to Portugal. In battle with French
                                       privateers and took away their English prize.
1693   Jean le Beau          44        Convoyer in the North Sea
1694   Jean le Beau          44        Convoyer in the North Sea   
7/1694 Matthias de la Cave   44        Convoyer of the packet boat    

On 15 July 1694, he met Jean Bart, fought with him, but while turning collided, and the captain and 300, including 150 passengers were lost, with only 15 saved by the Dunkirkers.

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Dutch Captain: Evert van Gelder

In August 1665, Evert van Gelder commanded the VOC ship Gelderesche Ruiter (46 guns). He had been at sea with De Ruyter's fleet, when he and other ships became separated from the fleet, during their flight from the English fleet. His ship, and others, were taken by the English, when they were surprised by a larger force. In 1666, Evert van Gelder commanded the Klein Hollandia (54 guns). He fought in the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle. In 1667, he commanded the Gelderland, and took part in the Raid on Chatham in May and the Raid on Harwich in July. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
  3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Saturday, August 06, 2005

Dutch Captain: Willem Mariniszoon (or Marinissen)

Willem Mariniszoon served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He commanded the frigate Zeeridder during most of 1665 and 1666. By December 1666, he had been relieved by Pieter Mauregnault. In June 1665, he Willem Mariniszoon fought in the Battle of Lowestoft. He was assigned to Cornelis Evertsen de Oude's division. At the Four Days' Battle, he was just assigned to Cornelis Evertsen's squadron, as a frigate. At Lowestoft, the Zeeridder may have been acting as a small ship of the line. At the St. James's Day Battle, he was attached to Jan Evertsen's squadron, with the Zeeridder acting as a frigate.
Notes:

Zeeridder   built in 1653
Dimesions:  116ft x 28ft x 11.5ft

Date   Guns Sailors Marines Soldiers Gun list:
6/1665 34   154            
8/1665 34   101     22      44
6/1666 36   118             40       2-18pdr, 14-12pdr, 14-6pdr, 6-3&4pdr
8/1666 34   175                

Friday, August 05, 2005

Dutch Captain: Huybert Jacobszoon Huygen

Huybert Jacobszoon Huygen served the Admiralty of the Maze. In August 1665, he commanded the Klein Hollandia (57 guns and a crew of 120 sailors, 14 marines, and 48 soldiers). In 1666, he commanded the Gorcum (or Gorinchem). He fought in the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle. In the Four Days' Battle, the Gorcum had 3 men killed and 6 wounded. The Gorcum had been built at Rotterdam in 1639. Her dimensions were 116ft x 27ft x 11ft, one of a standard series that were built in 1639. At the Foru Days' Battle, she carried 34 guns, consisting of 2-brass 15pdr, 16-12pdr, 4-6pdr, 6-5pdr, 2-4pdr (?), and 4-3pdr. Her crew in the battle was 116 sailors and 20 soldiers. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

  3. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.

Thursday, August 04, 2005

The Amsterdam ship Gelderland (1656)

Mr. Carl Stapel sent us information about the Amsterdam ship Gelderland. The Gelderland was completed in 1656:
Gelderland 1656

Amsterdam   Gelderland                                                                        40 guns                    1656-1659

Date   Captain               Guns Sailors Soldiers  Notes
1656   Pieter van Zalingen   44   155     --        Expedition to Danzig  
1657   Jan den Haen          42                     Cruising off the coast 
1659   Hendrik Adriaansz     40   190      
April 59 to Sept 60                                 To the Sound 

Last mentioned in 1659

Notes: A. Vreugdenhil

Dutch Captain: Juriaan Juriaanszoon Poel

Juriaan Juriaanszoon Poel served the Admiralty of the Maze. In 1659, he was with De Ruyter's fleet in the Sound. He commanded the Gelderland (40 guns) that had been completed in 1634. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, in June 1665, where he commanded a VOC ship, the Delfland (70 guns). He seems to have survived the battle and the recriminations, as he commanded the frigate Vrede (34 guns) at the St. James's Day Battle in August 1666 (July 25th, old style). He was not present at the Four Days' Battle, in June. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

  3. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Dutch Captain: Franscois van Nijdek

Franscois (or Frans) van Nijdek served the Admiralty of the Maze. He commanded the frigate Briel (21 guns) in 1665. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, in June. At the Four Days Batle and the St. James's Day Battle, he commanded the Prinses Louise, Witte de With's old flagship. He also commanded the Prinses Louise in the Raid on Chatham, in May 1667, and on the Raid on Harwich in July. He commanded the frigate Schiedam at the Battle of Solebay, in May 1672. He apparently continued in the Schiedam (20 guns) in July and September. In 1673, he commanded the Dordrecht (44 guns). He fought in the Schooneveld battles and the Battle of the Texel. At the Battle of the Texel, he was assigned to Jan de Liefde's division. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.

  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
  3. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jacob Mauregnault

I had not thought that there was enough information available about Jacob Mauregnault to write about hi, but I was wrong. Jacob Mauregnault served the Admiralty of Zeeland. Dr. Weber said that Jacob Mauregnault had been flag captain of the Tholen, along with Jacques Woleresse, for Adriaan Banckert at the Four Days Battle. He was at the St. James's Day Battle, as well, according to Sir Thomas Allin's journal. They abandoned the heavliy damaged Tholen, which was taken by the English and burnt by them. In December 1666, he set sail in the Zeeridder (34 guns and a crew of 167 men) with Abraham Crijnssen's squadron, bound for the Caribbean. He commanded on the outward voyage, but he was succeeded by captain Rochus Bastaert, who had been captain of the Wester-Souburg. Frans Roy succeeded Rochuas Bastaert in command of the Wester-Souburg. Captain Warnsinck suggests that he disppeared because he died in Suriname. Sources:
  1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.I 1660-1666, 1939.
  2. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.
  3. J. C. M. Warnsinck, Abraham Crijnssen de verovering van Suriname en zijn zeeslag op Virginië, 1936.

Dutch Captain: Thomas Fabricius (or Fabritius)

Thomas Fabricius served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft in June 1665. He commanded the Huis te Jaarsveld (or Jaarsveld). He still commanded the Huis te Jaarsveld in August. In 1666, he commanded the larger Huis Tijdverdrijf. He fought in the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle in 1666. The Huis te Jaarsveld was built in 1653 and had dimensions of 130ft x 32ft x 13.5ft. She carried somewhere between 48 and 50 guns and had a crew of about 200 men in this period. The Huis Tijdverdrijf had been completed in 1655 and had dimensions of 135ft x 34ft x 14ft. Her crew varied considerably. At the Four Days' Battle, her crew was 237 men. At the St. James's Day Battle, her crew was 291 men. At the Four Days' Battle, she carried 22-18pdr, 22-8pdr, and 16-3pdr. This was a time when the Dutch seemed more interested in having larger numbers of guns at the expense of broadside weight.

Monday, August 01, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jeroen (or Jan?) Adelaar

At the beginning of the First Anglo-Dutch War, Jeroen Adelaar commanded a hired ship, the Middelburg (30 guns and a crew of 100 men). While he was headed to join a convoy to France, his ship was captured. The Middelburg was a suitable warship, so the English employed her during the war. There is some evidence to suppose that Jeroen and Jan Adelaar were the same man. We know that Jeroen Adelaar commanded the Raadhuis van Haarlem in 1658. We also know that Jan Adelaar commanded the Raadhuis van Haarlem at the Battle of Lowestoft and in August 1665. Perhaps he was a relative, but the fact that Jan Adelaar commanded the Zutphen in 1656, on the expedition to Danzig, might be a clue that the overlapping service was for the same man. Sources:
  1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
  2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2005.
  3. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  4. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
  5. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

Sunday, July 31, 2005

Dutch Captain: Johan de Witte

Johan the Witte lived from 1635 to 1683. He was son-in-law of De Ruyter, since he married De Ruyter's daughter Cornelia in1659. He was captain of a company of marines and distinguished himself in September 1673 at the siege of Naarden. Andrew says that Johan de Witte had fought in the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle on board his father-in-law's flagship, the Zeven Provinciën. In October, the Admiralty of Amsterdam appointed him a captain. In 1674, he commanded the Provincie van Utrecht (60 guns) in De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique. Sources:
  1. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

  2. Carl Stapel, note "Vlootlijst van de tocht naar Martinique", 2005.

Saturday, July 30, 2005

Dutch Captain: Hendrik Hondius

Hendrik Hondius served as Cornelis Tromp's flag captain on the Hollandia at the Four Days' Battle in June 1666. He reported after the battle that the Hollandia had been struck by an English incendiary bullet. Frank Fox suspects that such a device caused the loss of the Duivenvoorde and the Hof van Zeeland. After the Hollandia collided with the Liefde, the Hollandia lost her bowsprit and head, she was towed to Goeree while Cornelis Tromp shifted his flag to the Prins van Oranje (or Jonge Prins). Andrew says that he was also at the St. James's Day Battle. The Hollandia's dimensions were: 165ft x 41-3/4ft x 15-1/4ft. At the Four Days' Battle, her crew consisted of 400 sailors and 50 soldiers. Her casualties were 14 killed and 23 wounded. Her armament at the Four Days' Battle was 10-brass 24pdr, 18-iron 18pdr, 28-brass 12pdr, and 24-brass 6pdr. The 18 and 24pdr guns were on the lower tier. The 12pdr were all on the upper tier. The third tier was incomplete, but consisted of 20-6pdr. There were 4-6pdr in the cabin. Sources:
  1. H.A. van Foreest and R.E.J. Weber, De Vierdaagse Zeeslag 11-14 Juni 1666, 1984.

  2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Friday, July 29, 2005

This is my translation of a passage from Vol.VI of Dr. Elias's work Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen (p.121):
On Monday, the 10th [November, 1653], the storm reached its high point, under dense hail showes and hunt snow. Expecially the Directors’ ships, which were sparingly supplied with anchors and ropes generally, had trouble with what the hurricane had to offer. Many of the ships dragged their anchors and drifted landwards, and this included the majority of the Director’s ships. Against two States’ warships lost (the Gouda of Amsterdam, under captain Ooms, which lost half the crew, and the Prins Willem of the Noorderkwartier, under captain Boermans, with twelve men found dead) were six ships lost from the different Directors.

Dutch Captain: Jan de Haes

Mr. Carl Stapel sent me this information about Jan de Haes. I have done some translation to English:
     Jan de Haes

Admiralty of the Maze

Born       :
Married    :
Died       :  1666   beheaded

Details: nephew of vice-admiral Witte de With

1652  8-1 to 29-8    commander of the hired ship Beer  24 guns  crew of 86 men
1653  8  August      commander of the English prize Rosenkrans. 
                     The ship was almost burned down. 
                     The crew mostly went over to an English ship. 
                     He brought the ship back to  Goeree with a skeleton crew.
1654                 He commanded the Prins Hendrik (1653) in the Channel
1656 19 november     He commanded the Vrede (1654) in the Channel
1657                 He is not still in service of the Admiralty of the Maze
1658  25 sept        He commanded the Gelderland (1634) in a fight with privateers
1659                 In the Sont with the Schiedam (16??)
                          (according to A. Vreugdenhil).  
1666                 He detained captains and threatened them with death. 
                        He was caught, taken, and condemned to death. 
                      (he was extorting merchant and fishing captains)
                     In September 1666, he was beheaded (!)  

Thursday, July 28, 2005

The Dutch frigate Schermer (1690)

This from notes supplied by Mr. Carl Stapel. This is my translation:
Schermer frigate built in 1690
                                            Length: Beam:  Hold: Guns  In service:
Amsteram   Schermer or Beschermer  frigate  130ft   34ft   14ft  44    1690–1703

In 1690 built by Hendrick Cardinael at Amsterdam - a ship of the fifth charter 

Date      Captain                 Guns Crew  Notes
1694      Cornelis Hoogenhoek     44         under Hiddes de Vries fought 
                                                against Jean Bart  
1696      Cornelis Hoogenhoek     44   200   convoyer    
23/5/1703 commandeur Jacob Teengs 44         sea battle in the Bay of Biscay 

The ship was captured by French under the command of Duquay-Trouin.

Jacob Teengs was taken prisoner, but was exchanged in half-a-year.

Source: Notes of A Vreugdenhil. Scheepvaartmuseum, Amsterdam

The VOC ship Mars in 1653

On July 20th, 1653, Tromp ordered Reynst Corneliszoon Sevenhuysen to transfer his crew from the Rode Leeuw to the ship Mars. The Mars was on loan from the VOC for service in the war. One source calls Captain Sevenhuysen's old ship the Profeet Samuel. In any case, his old ship was paid off, as it was worn out and would have needed to be refitted. Mr. Carl Stapel had a listing in one of his emails about a Mars.

N Mars hired from the VOC-Enkhuisen 46-50 guns 130ft x 32ft x 13ft

I had thought that this might have been the ship mentioned in published sources.

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Dutch Captain: Allart (or Albert) Matthijszoon (Updated)

Allart (or Albert) Matthijszoon (or Mathijszoon) served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He was in the fleet equipped and sent to Denmark in 1659 under the command of Michiel De Ruyter. He commanded the Kampen (Campen) (40 guns and a crew of 190 men). From 1661 to 1663, he served under De Ruyter in the Mediterranean Sea. He commanded the frigate Edam (32 guns). He also fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he commanded the Hilversum (58 guns and a crew of 258 men). He was assigned to Egbert Meeuwssen Kortenaer's squadron. At the end of the battle, the Hilversum was attacked by the fireship Bramble, and was then captured by the 4th Rate Bristol. Sources:
  1. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
  2. G. L. Grove, Journalen van de Admiralen Van Wassenaer-Obdam (1658/59) en De Ruyter (1659/60), 1907.

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

Another good tidbit from Mr. Carl Stapel: Hans Hartwich

This is my translation of another piece from Mr. Carl Stapel about the captain Hans Hartwich.
Hans Hartwich or Hartwijk: Admiralty of Amsterdam 

Date       Adm Ship type       Name    guns  crew  Notes
07-06-1673 A  frigate          Haas    24    100   Schooneveld I
14-06-1673 A  frigte           Haas    24          Schooneveld II
21-08-1673 A  frigate          Haas    24          Kijkduin (Battle of the Texel)
1674       A  transport        Neptunis12    32    off France and to Martinique
1683       A  ship of the line Tijdverdrijf  52    expedition to Gothenburg
15-11-1683 A                   Tijdverdrijf        lost in a strong storm
1691       On 6 June 1691 he was present at the burial of Cornelis Tromp.                       

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