English Captain: Richard Hodges

Richard Hodges served in the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1654, he commanded the 5th Rate Basing. From 1654 to 1655, he commanded the Dutch prize Rosebush. From 1657 until 1660, he was back in command of the Basing. At the Restoration, the Basing was renamed Guernsey. He continued in command of the Guernsey until 1662, when the Duke of York appointed him to command the Dutch prize Westergate (the former Friesland ship Westergo). In 1664, he was appointed to command the Swallow (46 guns). He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, whre he was assigned to the Earl of Sandwich's division in the Blue Squadron. From December 1665 until March 1666, he was at Tangier in Sir Jeremy Smith's fleet. In June 1666, he fought in the Four Days' Battle, where he was assigned to Sir Christopher Myngs' division in Prince Rupert's squadron. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
2. R. C. Anderson, Lists of Men-of-War 1650-1700: Part I English Ships 1649-1702, 1966.
3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Naval Officer: Robert Wilkinson

Robert Wilkinson served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, the Duke of York had appointed him as captain of the Dutch prize Charity (46 guns) (the former Amsterdam Directors' ship Groote Liefde). He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft in June 1665. He was assigned to the Duke of York's division in the Red Squadron. In the initial passes in the battle, the Charity and John & Abigail got caught on the far side of the Dutch fleet, opposite from the English side, and was taken. Several ships had gotten too far to leeward. Frank Fox writes that Robert Wilkinson "foolishly tacked and threw his ship squarely in the path of the enemy". Frank also writes that Robert Wilkinson had fought hard in defence of his ship, but the Charity was boarded and taken. He was finally appointed as Lieutenant of the Dragon by Prince Rupert in 1672. Later in 1672, he was appointed as First Lieutenant of the Newcastle. Finally, on 30 June 1678, the King appointed him as First Lieutenant of the 2nd Rate Royal Katherine. 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.

English Naval Officer: John Waterworth

John Waterworth served in the Restoration navy. In 1662, he was appointed Lieutenant of the 3rd Rate Fairfax. In 1664, he was appointed Lieutenant of the three ships, in turn: the 3rd Rate Bristol, the 3rd Rate Resolution, and the 2nd Rate Swiftsure. In 1665, he was appointed as Captain of the Dutch prize Bear (42 guns). He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he was assigned to Robert Sansum's division in the White Squadron. Later in 1665, he was appointed as Captain of the Bonaventure (48 guns). In June 1666, he fought in the Four Days' Battle, where he was assigned to Sir Christopher Myngs' division in Prince Rupert's squadron. Later in 1666, the Duke of Albemarle and Prince Rupert appointed him Captain of the Dunkirk. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle on 25 July 1666 (old style), where he was assigned to Sir Thomas Teddiman's division in the White Squadron. In 1668, the Duke of York appointed him Captain of the St. David. Later in 1668, he became commander of the 3rd Rate Princess. In 1669, he was appointed Captain of the old 4th Rate Constant Warwick. In 1672, he was appointed as Captain of the 3rd Rate Anne (58 guns). He was assigned to Sir John Harman's division in the Red Squadron. He was killed in the Battle of Solebay on 28 May 1672 (Old Style). Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. Julian 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.
3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: John Elliot

John Elliot was a fireship commander in the Restoration navy. He commanded the Tulip fireship in 1666. Later in the year, he commanded the Fox fireship. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle in the Fox. He was attached to the Red Squadron. On 9 and 10 August, he took part in the attack on the Vlie, under the command of Sir Robert Holmes. In 1667, he commanded the Robert fireship. Much later, the King appointed him to command the Castle fireship on 1 February 1678 (they thought the year was 1677, in the Old Style). He was apparently dismissed from the service about 1679, but I am not able to find out why. 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.

English Naval Officer: Thomas Gardiner

Thomas Gardiner served in the Restoration navy. He started as Lieutenant of the 2nd Rate Henry in 1666. Later in 1666, he was appointed as Lieutenant of the Tiger. In 1668, the Duke of York appointed him as Lieutenant of the Bristol. In 1672, Prince Rupert appointed him as Captain of the Barnaby (apparently a hired merchant ship). He is mentioned in John Narborough's journal in September 1672. John Narborough wrote that on 2 September 1672, Thomas Gardiner, in the Barnaby, was sent to Harwich "to convoy the victuallers". In 1673, the King appointed him Captain of the Falcon. On 5 November 1677, the King appointed him Captain of the Assistance. Thomas Gardiner died in 1679. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
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.

English Naval Officer: Thomas Berry

Thomas Berry served in the Restoration navy. In 1672, he was appointed as Lieutenant of the Hampshire. In 1673, Prince Rupert appointed him as captain of the Dartmouth. Later in 1673, he was discharged from the service by courtmartial. On 12 August 1678, Sir John Narborough appointed him as Second Lieutenant of the Plymouth. That must have worked out well enough that the Commissioners appointed him as First Lieutenant of the Foresight. On 11 April 1682, the Commissioners appointed him as First Lieutenant of the Gloucester. Not very much later, on 15 June 1682, the Commmissioners appointed him as First Lieutenant of the Henrietta. On 11 May 1687, the King appointed him as First Lieutenant of the Anne. This is somewhat suspect, as the entry is out of order by date. the next entry shows him appointed by Lord Dartmouth as Captain and Master of the Ann yacht on 5 February 1684 (they thought it was 1683, in the old style). On 14 April 1685, he was appointed by the King as First Lieutenant of the Oxford. On 4 April 1688, the King appointed him as First Lieutenant of the Dover. Only a month later, on 3 May 1688, the King appointed him as Captain of the Deptford ketch (10 guns). The Deptford ketch was wrecked on the coast of Virginia on 26 August 1689 with almost all hands, including Captain Thomas Berry. Sources:

1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
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.

English Captain: Hugh Hide

Hugh Hide served in the Restoration navy. He was appointed captain of the 4th Rate Adventure in 1661. In 1662, he was appointed to command the 5th Rate Richmond. In 1663, he was appointed to command the old prize, the Guinea frigate. In 1664, he was appointed to command the 4th Rate Jersey (48 guns). He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he was assigned to Sir George Ayscue's division in the Blue Squadron. 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.

English Captain: Charles Howard (Haward)

According to Frank Fox, Charles Howard (or Haward) served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, the Duke of York appointed him to command the yacht Merlin. Charles Howard apparently took command of the Garland sometime after the Battle of Lowestoft. In early June 1666, he was at Plymouth, where he was assigned to the Western Station. On 25 July 1666, his ship was lying in the Thames-Medway area, needing more men. He commanded the Garland (28 guns) in the attack on the Vlie on 9 to 10 August 1666. In 1672, he was appointed as lieutenant of the Assistance. 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.

More about the capture of the Elias, Leiden, and Klein Harder

On 25 December 1666, a force of English warships fought five Dutch frigates and took three. The ships captured were the Leiden (built in 1647), the Klein Harder (probably built in 1658), and the Elias (built in 1665). The Leiden and the Klein Harder seem to have been burnt, while the Elias was taken into the English service. The English warships included the Warspite (Robert Robinson), Jersey, Diamond, St. Patrick, Nightingale, and Oxford. They were to convoy home a fleet of merchantmen from Gothenburg. Sources:

1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
2. A. Vreugdenhil, Ships of the United Netherlands 1648-1702, 1938.

English Captain: Richard Goodlad

Richard Goodlad served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, the Duke of York appointed him captain of the 5th Rate Pembroke (28 guns). On 25 July 1666, he was at Harwich with his ship, ready for sea. On 9 to 10 August 1666, he took part in the attack on the Vlie commanded by Sir Robert Holmes. Later in 1666, the Duke appointed him as captain of the 4th Rate Foresight. 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.

English Captain: Charles O'Bryan

Charles O'Bryan served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he was appointed by the Duke of Albemarle as lieutenant of the Jersey (48 guns). Later in 1665, he was appointed by the Duke of York as Second Captain of the Royal Charles, the fleet flagship. From there, he was appointed by the Duke of York as captain of the Dutch prize West-Friesland. In June 1666, his ship was lying in the Thames without a crew, as they had been removed to improve the manning of other ships. On 25 July 1666 (old style), he fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where he commanded the Advice (48 guns). He was assigned to Sir Edward Spragge's division in the Blue Squadron. On 9 to 10 August 1666, he took part in the raid on the Vlie, under the command of Sir Robert Holmes. In 1668, he was appointed captain of the Leopard. I do not have a source which mentions his service after taking command of the Leopard, or even that indicates on what date he took command. 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.

Robert Holmes' squadron in the attack on the Vlie 9-10 August 1666 (old style)

This the composition of Sir Robert Holmes's squadron in the attack on Vlieland and the ships in the Vlie, from Frank Fox in his book, The Distant Storm:

Ship         Guns Crew Commander

Tiger        40   180  Robert Holmes, John Wetwang as flag captain
Advice       48   180* Charles O'Bryan
Hampshire    42   160  William Coleman
Dragon       40   160  Thomas Room Coyle
Assurance    38   150  John Narborough
Sweepstakes  36   140  Francis Sanders
Fountain     36   130  Thomas Leggatt
Garland      28   110  Charles Howard
Pembroke     28   110  Richard Goodlad
Fanfan, yacht 2    30  William Harris

Fireships

Bryar        12    16  Joseph Paine
Richard       4    16  Henry Brown
Lizard        6    14  Joseph Harris
Fox           6    12  John Elliot
Samuel        4    12  William Seale

Dutch Captain: Jacob de Reus

Jacob de Reus served the Amsterdam Chamber of the VOC. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft in June 1665, where he commanded the Marseveen. The Marseveen was quite large, having dimensions of 170ft x 39ft x 18-1/4ft. The Marseveen had been completed in 1660. At the time of the Battle of Lowestoft, she carried 78 guns, consisting of 4-24pdr, 24-18pdr, 6-12pdr, 20-8pdr, 22-4pdr, and 2-steenstukken. The Marseveen was assigned to Lt-Admiral van Wassenaer's 1st Squadron. At 6pm, at the end of the battle, the Marseveen (78 guns), Ter Goes (46 guns), and Zwanenburg (30 guns) turned to fight the pursuing Blue Squadron. The fighting became so hot that the Marseveen was forced to turn, and ran aboard the other two ships, and became entangled. At that point, they surrendered to the Earl of Sandwich, but an over-eager English fireship commander, Captain Gregory, attacked the surrendered ships and burnt them. Of the three crews, there were about 100 survivors. Sources:

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

Dutch Captain: Cornelis de Rechter

Cornelis de Rechter (or Karsten de Rechtere) served the Amsterdam Chamber of the VOC. He fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he commanded the fine ship Huis te Zwieten (70 guns). Frank Fox described the Huis te Zwieten as the best Dutch ship captured by the English. He served with De Ruyter's fleet in August 1665, and then was at sea with the fleet in early September. He was assigned to Tjerk Hiddes de Vries's squadron. The Dutch fleet had become scattered, and the Huis te Zwieten was one of four VOC ships taken by the English by early 9 September. 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.

Rotterdam ships: 1828 to 1632

I made this chart in early 2003 of Rotterdam ships from the period 1628 to 1632 (or should it be 1633?):

Ship                             1628   1629   1630   1631   1632

Ewer, jacht or frigate, 50 lasts X      X             X      X
Salamander  110 lasts            X      X      X      X      X
Leeuw  180 lasts                 X      X      X      X      X
Leeuwinne  170 lasts             X      X      X      X      X
Prins Hendrick  170 lasts               X      X      X      X
Sonne (Zon)  170 lasts                  X      X
Grasmeijer  140 lasts                   X      X      X      X
Sint Jacob, boat 50 or 80 lasts  X             X      X      X
Amelia  100 lasts                                     X      X
Neptunis                         X      X      X      X      X
Dolphijn                         X      X      X      X      X
Orangieboom                      X      X      X      X      X
Groene Draeck  150 lasts         X      X      X      X
Eendracht                        X      X      X      X      X
Swarten Leeuw  110 lasts         X      X      X      X      X
Zeekalf                          X      X             X      X
Vliegende Arent                  X      X      X      X      X
Tonijn                           X      X      X      X      X
Jonas                            X      X      X      X      X
Keijser Carol  170 lasts                X      X      X      X
Cleyne Orangieboom  100 lasts    X             X      X       
Wafende Maen  140 lasts          X      X      X      X      X
Oude Abraham  170 lasts          X      X      X      X      X
Prins Willem                                          X      X
Tijger                                                X
Postpaert  100 lasts             X      X      X      X       
Bruijnvisch  120 lasts           X      X      X             X
Cleyne Neptunis                  X      X      X             X?
Gelderlant  180 lasts            X      X                     
Swarten Arent, jacht 100 lasts   X      X      X
Sint Antonis  60 lasts           X      X
Zeeridder  180 lasts             X      X
Engel  60 lasts                                       X      X
Sint Anthonis  140 lasts         X
Drie Coningen  130 lasts         X
Dubbele Arent                    X

This is based on a number of documents from the Nationaal Archief that I received in early 2003.

Dutch Captain: Cornelis Muts

Cornelis Muts served the Amsterdam Chamber of the VOC (the East-India Company). In 1665, he fought in the Battle of Lowestoft, where he commanded the ship Beurs van Amsterdam (52 guns). He was assigned to Vice-Admiral Volkert Schram's 7th Squadron. There is an excellent drawing of his ship in Frank Fox's book, A Distant Storm, on page 94. The Beurs van Amsterdam had an unusually high head, turned way up, for better seagoing on the voyage around the Cape of Good Hope. He was still with the fleet in August, now under the command of Michiel De Ruyter. In August, Cornelis Muts was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's 3rd Squadron. He still commanded the Beurs van Amsterdam. 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.

Dutch Naval Officer: Jean Baptiste de Graef

Jean Baptiste de Graef served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He commanded the fireship Gouden Appel (which had a crew of 24 men) in the attack on Chatham. He was said to have "lost his courage" during the operation. Sources:

1. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.II, 1859.
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst tocht naar Chatham", 2005.

The flag used by the Spanish Dunkirkers

The Spanish Dunkirkers flew the ragged cross of Burgundy on their ships. I had first become familiar with this flag when I was researching a portrait of Abraham van der Hulst that showed a ship in the background with a lion on the upper stern and flying the ragged cross flag of Dunkirk. We never were able to find the motivation behind the ship with the Dunkirk flag, but there must have been some personal connection to Abraham van der Hulst. There are paintings of what may be Witte de With's fight with Michiel Doorn from circa 1640. This is another. There is a very good Van de Velde drawing reproduced in Dr. De Boer's book about Tromp and the Dunkirkers. I have not been able to find a copy online. Thanks to Andrew for pointing this out to me.

I just ordered some of the useful references for the Dutch navy from 1688 and later

I just ordered some books that cover the Dutch navy from 1688 and later. That has been a weak part of my library. If De Jonge does not cover a naval officer, I have no other options for men who were not flag officers. These are what I ordered:

1. De admiraliteit van Amsterdam in rustige jaren, 1713-1751 : regenten en financiën, schepen en zeevarenden, Bruijn, J.R.
2. De vloot van den Koning-Stadhouder 1689-1690, WARNSINCK, J.C.M.
3. THE DEFEAT OF JAMES STUART'S ARMADA 1692, Aubrey, Philip.

Dutch Captain: Jacob Kleyburg

Jacob Kleyburg served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He lived from 1666 until 1712. Unfortunately, De Jonge does not list him, so all I know is what is listed by Heinsius. Sources:

1. Anthonie Heinsius (Institut voor Nederlandse Zeegeschiedenis), Brieven van Anthonie Heinsius 1702-1720.