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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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                

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.