English Captain: Francis Courtney

Francis Courtney served in the Restoration navy. In 1666, he was appointed to command the Dutch prize Gelder de Ruyter. He fought in the Four Days' Battle, where he was assigned to the Duke of Albemarles's division in the Red Squadron. Later in 1666, he commanded the Happy Return. He commanded her in the St. James's Day Battle. He was assigned to John Kempthorne's division in the Blue Squadron. In 1668, he was appointed to command the Sweepstakes. In 1669, he commanded the Garland. In 1672-1673, he commanded the Dunkirk. He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he was assigned to Sir Edward Spragge's division in the Red Squadron. He fought in the Battle of the Texel. He was killed in action on August 11, 1673. Sources:

1. ulian S. Corbett, “A Note on the Drawings in the Possession of The Earl of Dartmouth Illustrating The Battle of Solebay May 28, 1672 and The Battle of the Texel August 11, 1673”, 1908.
2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
3. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Dutch Captain: Cornelis Gerritszoon Burger

Cornelis Gerritszoon Burger served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In June 1665, he commanded the old Wapen van Edam (38 guns and a crew of 140 men) (often just called Edam or Zwarte Bul). In the chase at the end of the Battle of Lowestoft, the Wapen van Edam was caught by the 4th Rate Ruby and the 3rd Rate Anne. Frank Fox says that the Wapen van Edam fought well and heavily damaged the Ruby in the process. She was captured, as she was so outmatched. Sources:

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

Dutch Captain: Jacob Pieteys

Jacob Pieteys served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He commanded the old Fazant (38 guns and a crew of 150 men) at the Battle of Lowestoft, in June 1665. He was assigned to Auke Stellingwerf's 4th Squadron. In August 1665, he was with De Ruyter's fleet. In August, the Fazant had a crew of 118 sailors, 15 marines, and 17 soldiers. He was assigned to Cornelis Evertsen's squadron. The Fazant was one of the ships leased to Denmark from 1666 to 1667. 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. A. Vreugdenhil, Ships of the United Netherlands 1648-1702, 1938.

English Captain: John Whitty

John Whitty served in the Restoration navy. After the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665, he was appointed to command the 2nd Rate Vanguard (60 guns). He fought in the Four Days', where he was killed. The Vanguard was assigned to Richard Utber's division in the Blue Squadron. Pepys' list calls him John Whitey. Frank Fox calls him John Whitty. Syrett and DiNardo refer us to the Thomas Whitty entry in their book, from a John Whitey entry. They say that the was killed on the fourth day of the Four Days' Battle. Sources:

1. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
2. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Dutch Captain: Jacob Bruynings

This is based on my translation of a piece by Mr. Carl Stapel about the Dutch captain Jacob Bruynings:

Jacob Bruynings

Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier

Died 13 July 1665 in Den Helder, where he was shot.

1665 captain

On 13 June 1665, he fought in the Battle of Lowestoft,
where he was he was in the 7th Squadron of Vice-Admiral Volkert Schram
as a captain of the Westfriesland (built in 1661, with 50 guns
and a crew of 250). During the battle, he behaved cowardly.

After the battle, he was arrested.

In the court-martial of 13 July 1665, he was condemned to death.
On the same day he was shot in Den Helder.

Dutch Captain: Hendrik Hakro (or Haeckroy) (Update)

Hendrik Hakro (or Haeckroy) fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he commanded the frigate Vollenhoven (24 guns). In August 1665, he was with De Ruyter's fleet. In 1666, he commanded the chartered Dutch ship Middelburg (46 guns) in the Danish service. In mid-August, they had a a squadron patrolling the Kattegat. These were the Middelburg, Damiaten, Flyende Hjort, Unge Lam, and Gamle Lam. In September, the Middelburg, with the Fazant and Damiaten, sailed from "Copenhagen to convoy Dutch merchantmen to the Vlie". Hendrik Hakro commanded the first group. In December, he went to Norway with returning Dutch ships. On June 4th, 1667, Captain Hakro sailed with a force of seven ships on convoy duty. He escorted the newly built Frederik and Sophia on their voyage to France, for whom they had been built in Denmark. Captain Hakro was appointed to command the Danish squadron at the Texel in August, as the previous commander had died from the epidemic of sickness that had spread through the ships. The Peace of Breda was announce on July 21, which ended the war. Hakro flew his flag on the Tre Løver. His ship was damaged in a storm, and they had to enter Norwegian waters. He died when another epidemic broke out in the squadron, while in Norway. This account relies heavily on Anderson's book about naval warfare in the Baltic. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Naval Wars in the Baltic, 1910.
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: Gerrit Nobel

Gerrit Nobel served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. In 1652, he commanded the ship Burgh van Alkmaar (24 guns and a crew of 95 men). Dr. Ballhausen says that Gerrit Nobel was with Tromp on May 29, 1652, when the battle took place off Dover between two English squadron and Tromp's 42 ships. In July and August, Gerrit Nobel was with Tromp's fleet on the voyage to the Shetlands, when the fleet was dispersed by the storm and some ships were lost. Gerrit Nobel fought in the Battle of the Kentish Knock, where his ship was sunk. He had bravely gotten in amongst the English, while unsupported, and his ship blew up and most aboard were lost. Sources:

1. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.
2. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1925.
3. Hendrik de Raedt, Lyste van de schepen van Oorloge onder het beleyt Admirael Marten Harpersz. Tromp, 1652.

Dutch captain: Jan van Hardenbroeck

Jan van Hardenbroeck served the Admiralty of Amsterdam and was in the Danish service from 1675 to 1678. In 1676 he commanded the Danish ship Anna Sophia (56 guns) and fought at the Battle of Oland (in June 1676). In August 1676, he was before Ruland with the Danish fleet commanded by Cornelis Tromp. From 1678, he returned to the Dutch naval service. In 1688, he commanded the Gideon (60 guns) in the fleet that took Willem III to England. This is an edited version of Andrews communication, augmented slightly. Sources:

1. Communication from Andrew
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Augustus 1676 de vloot van Tromp voor Rugen".
3. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1869.

Allert Tamessen in 1645

Allert Janszoon Tamessen (or Taemsen) commanded the Enkhuizen Directors ship Dolphijn in 1645. The Dolphijn carried 34 guns and had a crew of 85 men. We know Allert Janszoon Tamessen, because he commanded the Wapen van Hoorn (30 guns and a crew of 115 men) in 1652-1653 for the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He I have confused him in the past with the Zeeuws captain Allert Janszoon, who commanded the Dubbele Arend during the First Anglo-Dutch War. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2004.
2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
3. G. W. Kernkamp, De Sleutels van de Sont, 1890.

English Captain: Hugh Ridley

Hugh Ridley served in the Restoration navy. He was appointed captain on 12 June 1667. In 1667, he commanded the fireship Star. Later in 1667, he is listed alongside the name Tilbury Hope, which is a place. In 1668, he commanded the fireship Providence (the ex-4th Rate). In 1673, Prince Rupert appointed him to command the Woolwich sloop. On 3 June 1675, the King appointed him to command the Wivenhoe fireship. On 28 February 1682 (they called it 1681), the commissioners appointed him in charge of the boats at Portsmouth. On 25 May 1685, the King appointed him to command the America. Quite soon after this, he was switched to command the Swan (9 June 1685). On 15 August 1686, the King (James II) appointed him to command the Garland. then, on 9 September 1688, the King appointed him to command the Antelope. 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.

Dutch Captain: Cornelis Janszoon Poort

De Sleutels van de Sont also lists Cornelis Janszoon Poort as commanding a ship belonging to the New Directors of Amsterdam. In 1645, he commanded the Patientia (26 guns and a crew of 71 men). Cornelis Janszoon Poort commanded an Amsterdam Directors ship Kroon Imperiaal (34 guns) in 1652 and up until the Battle of Portland in 1653, when he was apparently killed and his ship was sunk. We have to wonder if the Patientia was the same ship hired by the Admiralty of Amsterdam in 1652 and commanded by Adriaan van Loenen. In 1652, the Patientia was armed with 24 guns and had a crew of 80 men. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
2. Gerhard Wilhelm Kernkamp, De Sleutels van de Sont, 1890.

Some guesses about names form the 1645 list

There are some familiar names in the list of Witte de With's fleet from 1645. Here are some more names that we recognize or may be able to guess the correct spelling (M=Maze, A=Amsterdam, A-Dir=Amsterdam Directors):

1. M-Brederode, 51 guns crew 183 Witte Corneliszoon de With--the famous admiral. The Brederode was newly completed.
2. M-Gekroonde Liefde, 33 guns crew 98 Cornelis van Houtten--probably commanded the Amsterdam Directors ship Witte Lam in 1652
3. A-Huis van Nassau, 36 guns crew 130 Vice-Admiral Joris Cats. This ship was lost off of Brazil in 1648. Joris Cats commanded in the Mediterranean Sea in 1652, before committing a diplomatic error.
4. A-Goude Maan, 34 guns crew 100 Schout-bij-Nacht Johan van Galen. He commanded in the Mediterranean in 1652 and 1653, until he was killed at the Battle of Livorno. This may have been the ship sometimes called the Maan or Halve Maan.
5. A-Goude Zon, 33 guns crew 100 Commandeur Anthonis van Zalingen. This is likely the same ship he commanded in 1652, until he died.
6. A-Wapen van der Goes, 32 guns crew 101 Commandeur Willem van Nieuhoff. He commanded the Aartsengel Michiel in 1652 and into 1653.
7. A-Zutphen, 32 guns crew 100 Jan de Lapper, the famous captain who was also a cobbler.
8. A-Bommel, 30 guns crew 80 Captain Uyttenhout (probably Jan Uyttenhout)
9. A-Dir-Burght, 24 guns crew 81 Captain Gerrit van Lummen (the book says van Limmen). Gerrit van Lummen commanded the Amsterdam Directors ship Neptunis in 1652.
10. A-Dir-Hollandia, 26 guns crew 86 Maarten de Graeff. He commanded the Amsterdam Director's ship Prinses Roijaal in 1652.
11. A-Dir-Wakende Boey, 26 guns crew 85 Jan Maijkers (the book says Meykes). Jan Maijkers commanded the Amsterdam Directors ship Alexander in 1652. He was with Tromp's fleet on the voyage to the Shetlands in 1652 and fought in the Battle of Dungeness.

Source:

1. G. W. Kernkamp, De Sleutels van de Sont, 1890.

Dutch Captain: Jan Warnaertszoon Capelman

Jan Warnaertszoon Capelman served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. In 1645, his ship, the Wapen van Alkmaar (24 guns and a crew of 80 men) was part of Witte de With's fleet that convoyed 300 merchantmen into the Sound without paying the toll. The ships were equipped for long cruising overseas, so they carried fewer guns than normal. In 1652, he commanded the Alkmaar (28 guns and a crew of 95 men). This was one of the 36 ships funded for cruising in 1651. There is a notation that he had been cruising in the Bay (of Biscay?) before joining Tromp's fleet. Tromp sent him with letters for Vice-Admiral Jan Evertsen, but "he allowed himself to be taken by the English". This was probably the same ship he commanded in 1645, as there are other cases where that was true for captains in Witte de With's fleet. In any case, Hendrik de Raedt's pamphlet indicates that by late July, his ship was already captured. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Captains", 2005.
2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
3. G.W. Kernkamp, De Sleutels van de Sont, 1890.
4. Hendrik de Raedt, Lyste van de schepen van Oorloge onder het beleyt Admirael Marten Harpersz. Tromp, 1652.

I am ready to concede that the captain's name is Jan Pieterszoon Eenarm

I have been calling this particular Medemblick Director's captain Jan Pieterszoon Renaren, but the evidence seems overwhelming that the correct name is something like Jan Pieterszoon Eenarm (or Eenarn). The last straw was the book De Sleutels van de Sont, which calls him by this name. He was a Medemblick Director's captain. He ship in 1645 was the Koning David (28 guns and a crew of 97 men). In 1652, he seems to have commanded the Sint Jeronimus (30 guns), also belonging to the Medemblick Directors. The ship was paid off late in the year when the crew refused to go to sea in her, due to her poor condition. The list from the Hollandsche Mercurius for 1652, republished in Vol.I of The First Dutch War was the source for Renaren. That list called him Jacob Pieterszoon Renaren. Hendrik de Raedt's list from August 1652 called him Jan Pieterszoon Eenarm (with a ship with 30 guns and a crew of 110 men).

Dutch Captain: Jan van Kampen (Campen)

Mr. Carl Stapel has a piece about Jan van Kampen. This is based on my translation of what Carl wrote:

  Jan van Kampen

Admiralty of Amsterdam

Born ca 1610

Passed away 07-02-1670 vlg resolution States of Holland 1670 pag 25

Captain 1652

1652  8 and 9 October  He fought in the Battle of the Kentish Knock
                       as captain of the Overijssel (1650–28/100)

     10 December      In the Battle of Dungeness, he commanded the
                       ship Overijssel (1650–28/100)

1653 28 Feb-2 March    In M. H. Tromp's squadron, he was captain of the Overijssel
                       (1650–28/100) in the Three Days Sea Battle (Portland). 

    10 August.        He served in the Battle of Terheide in the squadron of
                       M. H. Tromp as a captain of the Overijssel (1650–28/100)

1654                   He was captain of the ship of the line Jaersveldt
                        (1653–32 guns)

1656  4 August        In the fleet sent to Danzig as captain of the
                        Huis van Jaersveldt (1653–42/155)

1657   7 April       A reinforcement for De Ruyter in the Mediterranean Sea

1658   8 November    In the Battle of the Sound, he is captain of the Half Maen
                      (1643–40/168)

1661  30 May         With De Ruyter in the Mediterranean Sea on the
                      Muiltromp (1655–42/190)

1662             In the Mediterranean Sea on 26 February lost his lieutenant
                 while taking an Algerijns pirate ship the 3 Mane
                 (22guns and 250 men) while sailing on that coast
                 near La Farina. On 27 February the ship was burnt.

1663 April       Back in the Netherlands

1665            He had been intended for the command of the help sent to Guinea,
                but that was cancelled. 

1670 7 February He had passed away, based on what appeared in the Resolutions
               of the  State of Holland 7/2/1670 page 25

I received my copy of Schaap's article from the Fries Scheepvaart Museum

Mr. Carl Stapel had told me about C.W.J. Schaap's article about the Fries Admiralty in the Jaarboek 1982 from the Fries Scheepvaart Museum. My copy arrived in the post, today. I need to get the information entered into my list of Dutch ships.

English Captain: John Votiere

John Votiere served in the Restoration navy. John Votiere was promoted to captain on 16 June 1667. In 1667, he was appointed captain of the Swann fireship. Later in 1667, he commanded the Elizabeth and Mary. In 1672, he commanded the Hardereen fireship. In 1673, he commanded the Katherine fireship. On 14 September 1674, the King appointed him to command the Ann & Christopher. On 12 July 1677, the King appointed him to command the Holmes fireship. The commissioners appointed him, on 14 July 1683, to command the Richmond yacht. On 1 April 1685, the King appointed him to command the Kingfisher ketch. He was retired on 5 April 1693. 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.

Corstiaen Eldertszoon/Christiaan Eldertszoon/Christiaan Eldertszoon Uma

Based on what Mr. Carl Stapel has seen in A. Vreugdenhil's notes, as well as the De Sneuper website, it seems almost certain that Corstiaen Eldertszoon, Christiaan Eldertszoon, and Christiaan Eldertszoon Uma are the same man. There are several variations spellings for Eldertszoon. They include Elbertszoon, Ebelssen, and Ebelszoon. Corstiaen and Christiaan are apparently interchangable. There are a large number of examples on the Internet that show that is true. Corstiaen Eldertszoon commanded the Rotterdam ship Roskam (26 guns) in the First Anglo-Dutch War. He was apparently with Tromp's fleet on the voyage to the Shetlands (Hitland) in July-August 1652. He served through the war, and in July 1654, commanded the Gorcum. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft in June 1665, where he commanded the frigate Utrecht (36 guns). This ship was also called the Wapen van Utrecht. In an odd move, he was dismissed from the service by the Admiralty of the Maze, but he was almost immediately hired by the Admiralty of Friesland, and commanded a Friese ship in De Ruyter's fleet in August 1665 (I believe). He served through the rest of the Second Anglo-Dutch War in the service of the Admiralty of Friesland. He was called Christiaan Eldertszoon Uma, which was apparently his full name. De Sneuper calls him Christiaan Ebelsz. Uma. He commanded the Omlandia in 1666 and fought in the Four Days Battle and the St. James's Day Battle. He commanded the Vredewold (or Zevenwolden) in the Raid on Chatham and at the Battle of Solebay in 1672.

Dutch Captain: Jan van Blakenburch

Jan van Blakenburch served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he commanded the frigate Overijssel (36 guns and a crew of 116 men). The Overijssel's dimensions were 114ft x 28ft x 11ft. The Overijssel was built in 1650, and served in the First Anglo-Dutch War. At Lowestoft, Jan van Blakenburch was assigned to Egbert Meeuwssen Cortenaer's squadron. In August, he was with De Ruyter's fleet, where he still commanded the Overijssel. In August, the Overijssel had a crew of 140 men. In August, he was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's 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.

The Noorderkwartier ship Caleb

The Caleb was built for the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier in 1654. Her dimensions were 130ft x 32ft x 12ft. Her commanders and data (these will probably be extended further):

Date    Captain                      Guns  Sailors Soldiers  Notes
7/1654 Cornelis Victol               50?   (UPDATE: cannot find 
                                            the source for this entry, and 
                                            might withdraw it)
  1658 Cornelis Barentszoon Slordt   42    125   
  1664 Govert Corneliszoon 't Hoen   36    150               In De Ruyter's squadron
8/1666 Jan Heck                      47    304               St. James's Day Battle
7/1667 Jan Janszoon Maauw            48                      Raid on Harwich
  1671 Jan Dik                       48    184     59       
6/1673 Klaas Pieterszoon Wijnbergen  46    200     20        Schooneveld Battles
8/1673 Klaas Pieterszoon Wijnbergen  50    199     50        Battle of the Texel
6/1674 Jan Gerritszoon Muis          46    198     33        Expedition to Martinique