Dutch Captain: Andries Stilte

Andries Stilte served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1686, he commanded the frigate Oudkarspel (36 guns). In that year, he refused to let the French search his ship. In 1688, still commanding the Oudkarspel, he was in the fleet that carried Willem III to England. In 1692, the Oudkarspel ran aground in the Slenk as was sunk. In 1693, he was with the Allied squadron in the Mediterranean Sea under the command of Sir George Rooke. He fought in the Battle of the Smyrna fleet, where he commanded the Gelderland (72 guns). Sources:

1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.

Dutch Naval Officer: Jacob de Jongh

Jacob de Jongh was born in Enkhuizen about 1640. He died at Enkhuizen on 4 December 1718. He served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He was appointed as a lieutenant in 1665. He was promoted to Captain in either 1674 or 1688. He must have been the commander of the Noorderkwartier (68 guns) in the Battle of La Hougue in June 1692. He also must have commanded the Maagd van Enkhuizen (72 guns) in 1696 with the fleet commanded by Philips van Almonde. On 23 October 1699, he was appointed as Schout-bij-Nacht. In 1705, he was in the fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. On 11 April 1709, he was appointed as Vice-Admiral. On 17 Ferbruary 1713, he was appointed as Lieutenant-Admiral. Sources:

1. Luc Eekhout, Het Admiralenboek: De Vlagofficieren van de Nederlandse marine 1382-1991, 1992.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.
3. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1861.

Dutch Captain: Gerrit Hooft

Gerrit Hooft served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1688, he commanded the Nijmegen (46 guns) in the fleet that took Willem III to England. In July 1689, he was in a group of three frigates commanded by Paulus van der Dussen. They fought a sharp action against four Dunkirkers not far from the Texel. Gerrit Hooft was unlucky to be killed by a cannonball. Sources:

1. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.

The attack on the Smyrna Fleet in June 1693

A large fleet of merchant ships from England, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden sailed for the Mediterranean Sea, convoyed by a force commanded by Sir George Rooke. The fleet was commonly called the "Smyrna Fleet". The convoying force was a mixed fleet of English and Dutch warships:

Ship                 Guns Commander

Royal Oak              64 Gerard Elwes, flagship of
                          Vice-Admiral Sir George Rooke
Breda                  62 flagship of Rear-Admiral Thomas Hopsonn
Monmouth               58 Peter Pickard
Lumley Castle (M)      56 George Meester
Monck                  52 Stafford Fairborne
Lion                   52 Thomas Gardner
Loyal Merchant (M)     50 Philip Harris
Princess Anne (M)      48 William Wakelin
Tiger Prize            48 Robert Sincock
Woolwich               46 Christopher Myngs
Newcastle              46 John Baker
Chatham                44 John Leader
Smyrna Factor (M)      40 Edward Littleton
Sheerness              28 John Norris
Lark                   16 Peter Wotton
Admiraal Generaal      84 Rear-Admiral P. van der Goes
Gelderland             72 Andries Stilte
Zeeland                64 Philip Schrijver
Wapen van Medemblik    64 Juriaan van der Poel
Oost-Stellingwerf      52 ?
Nijmegen               50 ?
Schiedam               50 W. van Rechteren
Wapen van den Schermer 44 ?
Salamander, bomb vessel   ?
Suzanna, bomb vessel      ?
Dispatch, brigantine    2 Thomas Peacok
Speedwell, fireship     8 Thomas Simonds
Vulture, fireship       8 William Lindsey
Muscovia Merchant, storeship
                        Daniel Parsons
two Dutch fireships

The battle went badly for the Allies, as two Dutch ships were lost, the Wapen van Medemblik and the Zeeland, as well as 92 merchantships "taken, burnt, or sunk". The result could have been worse, if the French captains had followed Tourville's orders. The battle was fought near Lagos, Portugal and Cape St. Vincent. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
2. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
3. A. Vreugdenhil, Ships of the United Netherlands 1648-1702, 1938.

From my translation of an article from Oud-Holland 17

This is the start of my translation of this article:

The First War with England and W. van de Velde the Elder 1) by P. Haverkorn van Rijsewijk

Translated by James Bender

The battle near Folkestone between Maarten Tromp and Blake, on 19 May 1652, was followed in July by the first war between the Netherlands and England. It began under unfavorable circumstances for our land. The Dutch fleet was weaker than the English and was hampered by the merchant fleets, which were given to them and furthermore by the administration here that was as bad as that in England was good. The war took an unfortunate turn in July when Tromp set to see from the Zeeland coast. He wanted to attack Ayscue, who was near the Downs, watching for Dutch merchant vessels. Adverse winds, however, impacted execution of his plan. After that, he wanted to follow Blake, who went to the North Sea to destroy the Dutch herring fleet. Storms prevented him from doing this, as well. On 16 August he headed homeward with undone business. His actions had failed so badly that his policies were subjected to intense scrutiny. He was dismissed and Witte Corneliszoon de With was appointed in his place.

In the beginning of August, M. A. De Ruijter sailed with a Zeeland squadron to escort a merchant fleet through the Channel. On 26 August he beat Ayscue near Plymouth. This was the first battle in this war and the last of Ayscue. Against the return of De Ruijter, Blake sailed, after defeating a French fleet near Calais on 14 September. In the Channel, he united with Penn, to combine against De Ruijter. This threat to the county was foreseen and a fleet was collected near the Wielings, under the command of Vice-Admiral Witte Corneliszoon de With. De Ruijter passed Penn in the night, unobserved, and on 2 October, near Dunkirk and Nieuport, he met the dispatched fleet. On 8 October, the State's fleet was seen, not far from the Kentish Knock, somewhat North of Blake's fleet, which was somewhat more numerous. Blake immediately sailed their way, with great resolve. They had the advantage of the wind, larger ships with larger cannons. The Dutch made the initial mistake of firing at the masts and sails, rather than the ship hulls. When about 20 captains, mostly Zeelanders, fled, so Blake achieved the victory and sailed triumphantly back to England, while the defeated Dutch fleet turned back toward Goeree on 10 October.

One result of this defeat was that Maarten Harpertsz. Tromp was restored as commander of the fleet. On 1 December he set sail to sea fro the Meuse, burned with merchant vessels destined for Bordeaux to get wine. Jan Evertsen operated near him with some warships and 70 merchant vessels. By that time, our fleet was comprised of approximately 90 ships, 8 fireships, and some small craft, accompanied by more than 400 merchant vessels. On the 4th or 5th of December, they anchored at the latitude of Dunkirk. On the 9th, Tromp was near the Southern entrance to the Downs, where Blake was situated. He left his hiding place, however due to the change of wind, he had to anchor at the latitude of Dover. Tromp was near the same area, only to the leewards, on the next afternoon, about 3 o'clock, when the two fleets started fighting near Dungeness, near the Singels. The Dutch were now more powerful than the English, and twenty ships, mostly hired merchant vessels, and were with Blake during the encounter. These had to turn toward Dover, and on the next day, he was back in the downs, where the most ships were there in the Thames. After his victory, Tromp accompanied the merchant vessels to the Isle of Rhé, taking several English prizes along the way. He stayed near Bordeaux to wait for the returning merchant fleet.

Dutch Captain: Christiaan Bernhard, Graaf van Bentheim

Christiaan Bernhard, Graaf van Bentheim served the Admiralty of Amstedam. In 1683, he served as a volunteer in the fleet. He fought in the Battle of La Hougue, where he commanded the Edam (50 guns). He was assigned to Philips van Almonde's division. In 1694, he was sent to Carthagena in the West Indies. In 1696, he served with the fleet under the command of Philips van Almonde, where he commanded the ship Zeeland (64 guns). In the West Indies, he captured the Spanish San Christo. He died of disease in 1697. Sources:

1. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst La Hogue 2 juni 1692", 2005.

Dutch Naval Officer: Jacob Jan van Cooperen (or Koperen)

Jacob Jan van Cooperen (or Koperen) served the Admiralty of the Maze. He was born in Rotterdam in 1669 and died there in December 1732. He was appointed as a lieutenant on 27 July 1690. On 20 February 1691, he was appointed as a captain-lieutenant-at-sea. In 1693, he was promoted to extra-ordinary captain. On 15 February 1698, he was promoted to full captain. He fought in the Battle of Vigo Bay, where he commanded the Wassenaar (60 guns). Finally, on 22 September 1713, he was appointed as a Schout-bij-Nacht by the Admiralty of the Maze. In 1706, he was one of the seamen who took part in the storming of Alicante. In 1708, he was part of the force that strengthed Lisbon. In 1711, he cruised on the coast of Catalonia. In 1711, he was sent to Naples and Tuscany. In 1714, he took his division to the Baltic. In 1725, he was sent to the Algerian coast. Sources:

1. Luc Eekhout, Het Admiralenboek: De Vlagofficieren van de Nederlandse marine 1382-1991, 1992.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.
3. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1861.
4. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Wassenaar 1693", 2005.

Dutch Naval Officer: Maarten Barentszoon Boom

Maarten Barentszoon Boom served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He was born on 7 January 1663 at Zierikzee and died on 21 November 1729 at Middelburg. He was appointed as a Kapitein-ter-Zee in 1691. On 2 June 1692, he fought in the Battle of Cape La Hougue, where he commanded the Goes (54 guns). In 1693, he captured a Dunkirk privateer. In 1697, he served with a squadron sent against Dunkirk. On 1 November 1706, he was promoted to Schout-bij-Nacht. In 1718, he was promoted to Vice-Admiral, and on 25 July 1721, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Admiral. Sources:

1. Luc Eekhout, Het Admiralenboek: De Vlagofficieren van de Nederlandse marine 1382-1991, 1992.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.
3. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst La Hogue 2 juni 1692", 2005.

Dutch Captain: Barend van der Pott

Barend van der Pott served the Admiralty of the Maze. He was born in Vlaardingen and in 1709 was 44 years old. In 1691 he was appointed as an Extra-ordinary captain and in 1695 he was appointed as an Ordinary Captain. In 1695, he commanded the frigate Rotterdam (34 guns) as a convoyer in the North Sea. In 1696, he was assigned to the service involved with protecting commerce at sea. He commanded the ship Schiedam (50 guns). On 22 October 1702, he fought in the Battle of Vigo Bay, where he commanded the Dordrecht (72 guns). He captured four Spanish galleons. Sources:

1. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Rotterdam fregat 1695", 2005.
3. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Voordrachten vlagofficieren in 1709", 2005.

Dutch Captain: Jan de la Palma

Jan de la Palma served the Admiralty of Zeeland. Andrew supplied his first name and I have not been able to confirm that. He joined the fleet on 4 June 1692, two days after the Battle of La Hougue. He commanded the ship Zierikzee (62 guns). In 1696, he commanded the Walcheren (72 guns) and served with the fleet under the command of Philips van Almonde. He signed a letter in 1701 to the admiralty, along with Cornelis Evertsen, Geleijn Evertsen, Schout-bij-Nacht Den Boer, and captains Wiltschut, Mosselman, De Mauregnault, and Boom. Sources:

1. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.
2. Doeke Roos, Twee Eeuwen Varen en Vechten 1550-1750, 2003.
3. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst La Hogue 2 juni 1692", 2005.

More about Cornelis Adriaanszoon Cruijck

Dr. Elias has more about Cornelis Adriaanszoon Cruijck. Cornelis Arentszoon Cruijck served the East-Indian-Indian company, up to November 1652. At that time, he became captain of the Vogelstruijs (eventually taken by the English at the Battle of Portland). Later, he was appointed to the council and as assistant to Lord Obdam. He established himself later at Schiedam, where in 1665, he was appointed to the town cuncil. Later that year, he was placed on the council of deputies of their high majesties of the fleet. Sources:

1. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.VI, 1930.

The relief squadron sent to Brazil from 1650 to 1652

We know just a very little about the relief squadron sent to Brazil in the period from 1650 to 1652. The survivors returned home in May-June 1652, although some were lost in the process. This is the list of ships and captains as we know them:

M  ?                  ?          Marinus de Clerq         arrived at Rotterdam 25 June
M  Dolphijn           28 guns    Captain Schooneman?      arrived at Rotterdam 25 June
M  Nijmegen           26 guns    Paulus van den Kerckhoff sunk by the English  10 June
F  ?                  ?          Hendrick Janszoon Camp   ?
F  ?                  ?          Tjaert de Groot          arrived at the Texel 13 June
A  Gewapende Ruiter   36 guns    Boëtius Schaeff       Captured by the English 18 June
A  Aemelia            28 guns    Floris van Oy            arrived at Amsterdam 12 June
A  Graaf Willem       40 guns    Captain Tas              arrived at Amsterdam 20 June
A  Westfriesland      28 guns    Captain Boonacker        arrived at Amsterdam 20 June
Z  ?                  ?          Cornelis Loncq           arrived at Wielings  20 June

Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
2. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.II, 1923.
3. Admiralty of Rotterdam, list of ships from 26 February 1652.
4. website De Sneuper.
5. A. Vreugdenhil, Ships of the United Netherlands 1648-1702, 1938.

Dutch Captain: Calis

I do not have any record of Captain Calis's first name, but he served the Admiralty of Zeeland and fought in the Battle of Beachy Head in 1690. He commanded the ship Tholen (60 guns) and was assigned to Gerard Callenburgh's division in Cornelis Evertsen's squadron. His ship was one of those lost after the battle. His ship was burnt rather than let it fall into French custody. Sources:

1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.

Dutch Captain: Willem van der Zaan the younger

Willem van der Zaan, the younger, was the son of the great Dutch naval officer of the same name. Like his father, he served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. Willem van der Zaan was with the fleet that took Willem III to England in 1688 where he commanded the Maria Elizabeth (46 guns). On 27 July 1689, he was with the fleet in the Channel where he commanded a frigate or small ship of the line (from Andrew). On 30 June 1690, he fought in the Battle of Beachy Head, where he commanded the Agatha (50 guns). He was assigned to Gerard Callenburgh's division. He was killed in a heroic fight against Forbin's small unit in 1692. Sources:

1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.II, 1859.
3. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst slag bij Bevesier 10 juli 1690", 2005.

Dutch Captain: Jan de Jongh

Jan de Jongh served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. At the Battle of La Hougue, on 2 June 1692, he commanded the ship Noorderkwartier (68 guns). In 1696, he commanded the ship Maagd van Enkhuizen (72 guns) and was with Geleijn Evertsen's squadron off Cadiz. In 1696, he also served in the fleet commanded by Philips van Almonde. Sources:

1. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst La Hogue 2 juni 1692", 2005.

Dutch Captain: Justus Hoogenhoek

He served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1688, he commanded the frigate Damiaten (32 guns) and was the fleet that took Willem III to England. He was assigned to Lt-Admiral Scheper's squadron. He commanded the ship Hollandia built in 1683. On 2 June 1692, he commanded the Harderwijk (46 guns) at the Battle of La Hougue. He was assigned to Vice-Admiral Callenburgh's division. In 1693, he and his convoy were in danger, but escaped. He was in the Mediterranean Sea in 1697, and was part of a relief fleet sent to Carthagena. In 1697, Justus Hoogenhoek was in the Caribbean. He commanded the Hollandia (72 guns). He was part of a small unit, mostly English ships, that recaptured a Spanish prize, the San Christo, from the French. He was the fourth captain who had been on the voyage to the West Indies. Justus van Hoogenhoeck, who was one of the most experienced and brave commanders of this time period, of whom we have several times mentioned by De Jonge, came to an unfortunate end. With his ship Hollandia (72 guns), he returned to England in March 1698, where his ship would be repaired. They were caught in a strong storm and Hoogenhoeck and his crew were lost. Sources:

1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.
3. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst La Hogue 2 juni 1692", 2005.
4. A. Vreugdenhil, Ships of the United Netherlands 1648-1702, 1938.

Dutch Captain: Arnold Manart

Arnold Manart served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In early 1686, he convoyed merchant ships to Spain. He and Willem van Ewyck, both with ships of 40 guns, were attacked by a French squadron. In 1688, he commanded the Schattershof (46 guns) in the fleet that took Willem III to England. In 1696, he took part in the third bombardment of Calais. Later in 1696, he was with the Dutch fleet in the Sound. Sources:

1. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1861.
3. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Algemeen Zaakregister, 1862.

Dutch Captain: Philips (or Philip) Schrijver

Philips Schrijver served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. On 2 June 1692, he fought in the Battle of La Hougue, where he was assigned to Karel van der Putten's squadron. He commanded the Zeeland (64 guns). In June 1693, Philips Schrijver fought in the defence of the Smyrna convoy, under the command of Sir George Rook. He still commanded the Zeeland (64 guns). Philips Schrijver distinguished himself in this battle. He and Juriaan van der Poel tacked towards the land, trying to draw the French away from the convoy. After "a most desperate defence", their ships were taken. On 22 October 1702, he fought in the Battle of Vigo Bay, where he commanded the Slot Muiden (72 guns). He fought in the capture of Gibraltar on 21-23 July 1704 (0ld style), where he commanded the Veere ( 60 guns). He was with the group that attacked the Old Mole. On 23 August 1704, he fought in the Battle of Velez Malaga, where he commanded the Gelderland (72 guns). After being active in 1707 (VOC retourvloot) and 1708, he died in 1711. Sources:

1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.
3. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1861.

Dutch Captain: Poppe Binckes

Poppe Binckes (or Foppe) served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He may have fought in the Battle of the Gabbard. We only see him mentioned in the summer of 1653, when he commanded the three-masted yacht Brak (18 guns) and fought in the Battle of Scheveningen. Jan Admirael had commanded the Brak at the Battle of the Gabbard. There is a van de Velde picture online that shows the Brak's sistership, the Windhond, in action, near the flagship Brederode. In 1652, and possibly into early 1653, Pieter van Zalingen had commanded the Brak. The last we read of him is from a document that is probably from March 1653. On 13 December 1653, Poppe Binckes was involved with convoying merchant ships in the Sound. When he arrived at Gothenburg, he gave heart to the merchant captains who had hope of more warships arriving to convoy them. Sources:

• C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
• C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
• Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.V, 1928.
• Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.VI, 1930.
• Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
• Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.

Dutch Captain: Adriaan Noortheij

Adriaan Noortheij served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1688, he commanded the frigate Wulpenburg (32 guns and a crew of 130 men) in the fleet that took Willem III to England. In 1690, he commanded the ship Elswoud (50 guns and a crew of 210 men). He fought in the Battle of Beachy Head and was killed. He was assigned to Karel van der Putte's division. The Elswoud was one of the ships burnt after the battle, rather than let them be captured due to their damage. Sources:

1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
2. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1861.
3. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst slag bij Bevesier 10 juli 1690", 2005.