Dutch Captain: Cornelis Melcknap

This is based on my translation of the listing in Dr. De Boer's book Tromp en de Armada van 1639:

Cornelis Melcknap was a convoyer of the admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He seems to not have been present in the early fighting. He first came to the fleet on October 2nd [1639]. He must have been experienced, as Tromp had him present, as well as Van Galen and Houtebeen, in the council of war. Possibly a nickname plays a part, and he only appears to be listed instead of a well-known commander.

Dutch Captain: Claes (Nicolaes) Janszoon (or Janssen)

Claes (or Nicolaes) Janszoon (or Janssen) served the Admiralty of Zeeland. Dr. De Boer mentions him in conjunction with the campaign leading up to the Battle of the Downs (as Claes Janssen). He definitely fought in the Battle of Portland. As Jodocus Hondius mentions the Leeuwen in his account of the battle, he very likely commanded that ship in the battle. In 1653, he commanded the ship Leeuwen (or Leeuwin), which was Jan Everten's flagship for a period in the spring of 1653. 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 James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2005.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 James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.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. Jodocus Hondius, Onstelde-Zee, Oft Zee-Daden, 1654.

Dutch Captain: Govert Reael

Govert Reael served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He commanded the ship Leeuwarden (36 guns) during the First Anglo-Dutch War. He had taken part in Tromp's voyage to the Shetlands in July-August 1652. After the storm, the Leeuwarden was lying in what they called "Wester-baey". He seems to have been at the Battle of Portland, and in April 1653, was operating with Witte de With's squadron. He was likely at the Battle of the Gabbard, and was certainly at the Battle of Scheveningen. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
2. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
3. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
4. Hendrick de Raedt, pamphlet about Tromp's voyage to the Shetlands in 1652, dating from 1652. This is held by the Prins Hendrick Maritime Museum in Rotterdam.

Dutch Captain: Gijsbert Malcontent

Gijsbert Malcontent served the Enkhuizen Directors in the First Anglo-Dutch War. He commanded a ship that carried 28 guns and had a crew of 110 men. He took part in Tromp's voyage to the Shetlands in July and August 1652. He was present at the Councils of War prior to leaving for the Shetlands and after the storm. He fought at the Battle of Portland, where his ship was captured on the second day and he was killed. He had been Paulus Coolen's lieutenant on the Noorderkwartier ship Eendracht (41 guns) on Witte de With's ill-fated relief expedition to Brazil. His is one of the names that Marco Schuffelen pronounces on his website. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2005.
3. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
4. W.J. van Hoboken, Witte de With in Brazilië, 1648-1649. Amsterdam 1955.

English Captain: Thomas Whetstone

Thomas Whetstone served in the Commonwealth Navy. From 1656 to 1658, he commanded the 4th Rate Phoenix. He served under Blake's command in the Mediterranean Sea in 1656 and 1657. From 1658 to 1659, he commanded the 3rd Rate Fairfax. He entered the Mediterranean Sea in January 1658, under the command of Captain Stoakes,who was Admiral. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.

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

3. J. R. Powell, Ed., The Letters of Robert Blake, 1937.

Tromp with Piet Hein from April to June 1629

Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp served as Piet Hein's flag captain from April to June 1629. His ship was the Groene Draeck, a ship of 220 lasts. The crew consisted of 95 sailors and 30 soldiers. The guns carried were bronze (or brass) cannons: 2-chambered 36pdr, 2-24pdr (half cartouwen), 2-12pdr; and iron guns: 16-8pdr and 4-6pdr. This is listed in the Staet van Oorlog te Water de anno 1629. I had not realized this, but this list was published in Aanwinsten 1901 XXXV nr.8. I have found it a valuable aid. I happen to have microfilm, scanned to images, from the original handwritten list. I would think that having a good printed text copy would be helpful. It would save having to decipher the handwriting. My translation of the account in Dr. Graefe's book:

In the spring of 1629, Tromp took command of another ship, the Groene Draeck, of 200 lasts and ared with 26 guns, with a crew of 95 sailors and 30 soldiers. In 1625, the Groene Draeck had become commanded by Jasper Liefhebber, andwhen he had been promoted to Vice-Admiral of the Maze in April 1628, it had flown his flag. Jasper Liefhebber wrote in May 1625 that the Groene Draeck was the best ship of the Admiralty of the Maze.

Marco Schuffelen's new webpage for pronouncing Dutch ship and naval officer names

Marco Schuffelen has much more on his new site "Hear Dutch Here" than just Dutch ship and naval officer names, but my primary interest is in these. He kindly added names when I had inquired as to their pronunciation.

Some information from 1638 or so

Dr. M.G. De Boer's book Het Proefjaar van Maarten Harpertsz. Tromp 1637-1639 (1946) has some pieces of information that might be useful. For example, the ship Zeekalf, Breda, Gideon, the jacht Bommel, and the Engel Gabriël were deemed to be not very useful, and they needed to be replaced. From another book, that by Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp (1938) some details about those ships:

• Zeelkalf, Admiraliteit van Rotterdam, built in 1622, 200 lasts, 4 brass and 24 iron guns, crew of 90 sailors and 20 soldiers, commanded by Sijbert Vijgh
• Breda, Admiraliteit van Friesland, 24 guns, crew of 80 sailors and 20 soldiers, commanded by Hendrick Janszoon Camp
• Gideon, Admiraliteit van Friesland, 96 lasts, 22 guns, crew 50 sailors and 20 soldiers, commanded by Tjaart Rijenx de Groot
• jacht Bommel, Admiraliteit van Amsterdam, 10 guns, crew 60, commanded by Barent Pieterszoon Dorrevelt
• Engel Gabriël, Admiraliteit van Amsterdam, 16 guns, crew 50 sailors and 16 soldiers, commanded by Gerrit Veen

Dutch Naval Officer: Schrevel Janszoon Ruijmveld

In the documents found by Mr. Carl Stapel, this officer seems to have been called "Schrevel Janszoon Ruijmveld (or Ruymveld)", although Luc Eekhout seems to call him Simon Janszoon Ruijmveld. It could be a different man, but after seeing the entry in Luc Eekhout's Het Admiralenboek, I believe that it must be the same man. There is almost no useful information, but it does mention that he served the Admiralty of the Maze. He was appointed as a Luitenant-ter-Zee in 1605. In 1612, he was promoted to Kapitein-ter-Zee. In 1620, Luc Eekhout writes that Captain Ruimveld served as a temporary Schout-bij-Nacht (rear-admiral). We also know, thanks to Mr. Carl Stapel, that he was on Haultain's expedition to the Mediterranean Sea from November 1620 to September 1621. This is expedition is the period in which he served as a temporary Schout-bij-Nacht. On this expedition, he commanded the Leeuwinne, a ship of 200 lasts. On Moy Lambert's expedition from May 1618 until February 1619, Schrevel Ruijmveld commanded the ship Holland (or Wapen van Holland).

Dutch Naval Officer: Jacob Janszoon van Edam

There is almost nothing in Luc Eekhout's book about Jacob Janszoon van Edam. All we know is that for some indeterminate period, up until September 1617, he served as a temporary Vice-Admiral. He also served as a temporary Vice-Admiral during 1618, according to Luc Eekhout. He does not even mention that Jacob Janszoon van Edam served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. We already know that he was temporary Vice-Admiral involved with Haultain's expedition to the Mediterranean Sea from September 1617 until May 1618. He commanded the ship Gulden Valck. We also know that he served as a temporary Vice-Admiral on Hillebrant Quast's expedition from December 1618 to September 1619. All this we know thanks to Mr. Carl Stapel.

This is a list of flag offices on the expeditions to the Mediterranean Sea from 1616 to 1621

This is from a document from Mr. Carl Stapel listing flag officers of the expeditions to the Mediterranean Sea from 1616-1621:

 
1  Moy Lambert's expedition of june 1616 – april 1617

  Flag Officer         Role
  Moy Lambert          commander

2  Hillebrant Quast's expedition of 1617–may 1618

  Flag Officer         Role
  Jacob Jansz van Edam temporary vice-admiral
  Hillebrant Quast     commander

3  Moy Lambert's expedition of May 1618–February 1619

  Flag Officer           Role
  Moy Lambert            commander
  Cornelis Jansz Gorcum  temporary Vice-Admiral

4  Hillebrant Quast's expedition of December 1618–September 1619

  Flag Officer           Role
  Jacob Jansz van Edam   temporary vice-admiral  
  Hillebrant Quast       commander

5  supply squadron May 1619–August 1620

 Adm Flag Officer                  Ship       Lasts
  A  Dirck Jaspersz Cleynsorgh     Leyden     150 lasts   
  A  Barent Hendricksz Schaeff     Zutphen    200 lasts
  N  Albert Cornelisz ‘t Hoen      Griffioen  225 lasts

6  Moy Lambert's expedition of December 1619–October 1620

  Flag Officer           Role
  Moy Lambert            commander
  Hillebrant Quast       tijdelijk vice-admiral

7  Haultain's expedition of November 1620 – September 1621

  Flag Officer                 Role
  Schrevel Jacobsz Ruymvelt    temporary rear-admiral
  Joachim Swartenhondt         temporary vice-admiral
  Marynnes Hollar              commander and flagcaptain of Haultain
  Haultain                     admiral

Dutch Captain: Salomon Le Sage

Salomon Le Sage served the Admiralty of Zeeland. He was under the command of Abraham Crijnssen on the expedition to the West Indies for the capture of Surinam and fought in the Battle of Nevis. He fought in the Battle of Solebay in 1672 and the Battle of the Texel in 1673. His ships. The date is the date of the information:

Ship Name:             Date:   Guns:  Sailors: Soldiers: Date built:  Length:  Beam:  Hold:        

Prins te Paard, jacht  12/1666 14     75      
Delft                  1671    32     76       45        1664         116      28.5   11.5  
Vlissingen             5/1672  50                        1653         130      34     13.5  
Vlissingen             7/1672  50     92       93        1653         130      34     13.5  
Vlissingen             9/1672  50                        1653         130      34     13.5  
Vlissingen             8/1673  48     185      18        1653         130      34     13.5  

Things we need to find: updated list

There is a list of things that we really need to find. They are critical pieces of information that would expand our knowledge about Dutch ships during the 1630-1672 period. The items are as follows:

1. The information used by Vreugdenhil about Dutch ships prior to 1649
2. The list of Directors ships from March 30, 1652 that lists ships like the Harderwijck, Harderin, Weesp, and Colburg
3. The manuscript that lists the Prinses Louise upgunned to 46 guns in late 1652
4. The manuscript that tells about the Zeeland Directors ships that joined the fleet in May 1652
5. The manuscript that has details about ships such as the Walvisch from 1653
6. The documentation that provided Dr. Weber with details about ships in his book about the Four Days Battle

A story from 1623 that involves Witte de With

Mr. Carl Stapel passed on one last story about Dutch captains prior to 1630. I have slightly edited the text:

On June 12th 1623 the fleet met a Dutch warship at the Azores named Overijssel. The Overijssel was commanded by Adriaen van Crimpen. He escorted sugar ships which he had captured. A mutiny had broken out on the Overijssel about dividing the loot. l'Hermite acted promptly and put three sailors to death on the 21st of June by hanging them and keelhauled six others. Witte de With was one of the officers who sat on the court martial as a judge. By this time,he must have been familar with brutality. He was hardened by the VOC in his young years. But it was Witte de With who always got the risky assignments and never Maarten Tromp. Tromp was never sent to the West-Indies or East-Indies, it was Witte de With, instead.

Dutch Captain: Barent Hendrickszoon Schaeff

We really know very little about Barent Hendrickszoon Schaeff. We know his middle name from the Staet van Oorlog te Water for the year 1628. He served the Admiralty of Amsterdam, and he commanded ships in 1627 and 1628, although there are no details. We know that he served in Moy Lambert's fleet from 1618 to 1619, when he commanded the Vergulden Raven. That was a ship of 150 lasts. That could be a ship of about 112ft x 26.5ft x 11ft. From 1619 to 1620, he commanded the Zutphen, a larger ship of 200 lasts. That could have been about 124ft x 29ft x 12ft. My current estimation is based on a factor of 217, where you multiply length x beam x hold (in Amsterdam feet) and divide by 217 and round the result to the nearest 10 lasts.

Dutch Captain: Hans Bournon

Hans Bournon served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He was in the second expedition sent against Spain from 12 November 1626 to 10 July 1627. He commanded the ship Roode Leeuw, a vessel of 150 lasts. A ship of that size would be about 116ft x 27ft x 11ft. The crew was 100 sailors. He had been present in Haultain's expedition to the Mediterranean Sea from 1620-1621 and in 1623 he defended his convoy against a superior Dunkirk force and drove them off. In February 1624, he shot a Dunkirker and caused a leak that necessitated stranding the ship on the coast of the Bay of Biscay. In 1625, he served in the fleet commanded by Haultain that aided Louis XIII in his fight with Rochelle. In 1627, he fought 8 Dunkirk privateers and escaped with his ship and crew. On 10 September 1627, he was accused of cowardice for abandoning the herring buses. This is based on the information and biography in the document sent to me by Mr. Carl Stapel: "Tweede Nederlandsche Engelse vloot in 12 november 1626 tot 10 juli 1627 naar Spanje". This is also my translation of that biography. I had some trouble with it, so I would welcome corrections. This is the text in Dutch:

"Hans Bournon

Hij is aanwezig bij de expeditie van Haultain naar de Middellandse Zee ( 1620-1621 ) In 1623 verdedigt hij een konvooi tegen een Duinkerkse overmacht en verdrijft hen. In februari 1624 schiet hij voor de kust van Biscaye een Duinkerker kaper zo lek, dat het schp strandde en verging. In 1625 dient hij onder Haultain op de Nederlandse vloot, welke in dienst van Lodewijk XIII die van La Rochelle moest bestrijden. In 1627 vecht hij tegen 8 Duinkeker kapers en weet te ontsnappen met zijn schip en bemanning. Op 10-9-1627 wordt hij beschuldigd van lafheid omdat hij de haringbuizen in de steek had gelaten."

Dutch Captain: Ellert Thomaszoon

In the second expedition to Spain in 1626, Ellert Thomaszoon commanded the ship Wapen van Amsterdam. His lieutenant was Arent Janszoon van Delften. Ellert Thomaszoon served the Admiralty of Amsterdam.

In 1616, he commanded the ship Valck, a vessel of 200 lasts. In April 1626, he commanded the Amsterdam, which is probably the ship called Wapen van Amsterdam on the second expedition to Spain, as it was a vessel of 180 lasts. We know a good deal about the Amsterdam, as Ellert Thomaszoon commanded the Amsterdam in 1628 and 1629. Since the ship appeared in the Staet van Oorlog te Water for those years, we know that the ship carried 26 guns, comprised of 4-18pdr, 6-12pdr, 4-8pdr, 12-5pdr, and 8-steenstukken. He crew was always listed as 90 sailors.

In 1626, Ellert Thomaszoon was already 60 years old. In 1610, he was owner of a privateer. In 1614, he cruised in the Channel under the command of Moy Lambert against the corsairs. In November of that year, he had the lions share in the conquest of a ship. He also took part in Moy Lambert's expeditions to the Mediterranean Sea (1616-1617 and 1618-1619) against the Barbary Pirates. He also took part in Haultain's expedition of 1620-16212. In 1625, he was a convoyer and was part of the cruising squadron in the North Sea under Commandeur Willem Melcknap and served in the blockade on the Flemish coast. He captured a Dunkirk privateer and refused to put the crew overboard. As a result, he did not receive a reward from the States General. Beginning in 1626, he defeated the Dunkirk privateer ship, the "Gewelt van Duynkercken", but Johan Evertsen boarded the ship, as well. So who actually captured the ship and should receive the booty? They reached an agreement and Ellert Thoamszoon received a gold chain of 400 guilders from the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In June 1626, Ellert Thomaszoon captured a Dunkirk boat (hekboot). After the second expedition to Spain, he worked again as a convoyer. In spite of his age, he still served in the country's fleet in 1633.

This is based on the account in what Mr. Carl Stapel sent me in the document entitled "Tweede Nederlandse Engelse vloot in 12 november 1652 tot 10 juli 1627 naar Spanje". The last paragraph is from my translation of the biography in that document. I have also drawn upon information from the two Staets van Oorlog te Water for the years 1628 and 1629.

The problem with the Dutch ship and captain sheet is the width

I realized that if I change the width, I could make the page size for the Dutch ships and captains for the First Anglo-Dutch War wider by going to legal size in landscape. There is the minor detail that I can't print that size (at least yet). I have been toying with acquiring a printer that will print larger sheets for some time. I see that the HP Deskjet 9800 Printer will do 13in x 19in, which would do quite nicely for now. Mostly, I print letter size, but would like the option to go larger.

The next step

The next step in analyzing the First Anglo-Dutch War from the Dutch perspective is to prepare a document that indicates which battles and operations in which each Dutch captain participated. My paper "Dutch Ships in Various Operations During the First Anglo-Dutch War" is the ultimate place such information will be published. The format of that paper is not really condusive to analaysis. Rather, it is a place to publish lists. The goals for this paper are ambitious. They include describing the 40 ships of 1648, the 36 ships of 1651, the 100 ships of 1652, and the socalled 50 Directors' ships. There were also something like 6 VOC ships allocated in 1652.

Dutch Captain: Andries Fortuijn

Andries Fortuijn served in the First Anglo-Dutch War. He commanded the ship Eendracht (24 guns). He seems to have served the Admiralty of Zeeland, although he may have been employed by one of the Zeeland Directors. He fought in the Battle of Plymouth in August 1652, where his ship was heavily damaged. He seems to have commanded a Directors' ship, at least the July 1653 list of ships at Vlissingen seems to indicate that fact. He definitely fought in the Battle of the Gabbard, as I noted in early 2004. As I noted in November 2003, his ship was blown up at the Battle of Scheveningen, and he was killed. There is also my comprehensive working list of Dutch losses in the First Anglo-Dutch War. Sources:

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

Dutch Captain Marinus de Clerq (de Clercq, de Klerck, or de Klerk)

Marinus de Clerq served the Admiralty of Rotterdam. In June 1652, he apparently commanded the Dolphijn (28 guns) that had been commanded by Captain Schooneman. On September 8, 1652, Witte de With wrote that Captain de Clerq came in the roads with galliots from Rotterdam. De With was at Middelburg at the time. Marinus de Clerq was with the fleet at the Battle of Dungeness. He was initially in Witte de With's squadron. When De With went home, Michiel de Ruyter commanded in his place. That is the extent of what we know about his service in the First Anglo-Dutch War. He was in De Ruyter's fleet in 1659, when he commanded the Prins Maurits (44 guns). He was still in command of the Prins Maurits when he fought in the Battle of Lowestoft. He was assigned to Jan Evertsen's squadron for the battle. In the battle, his ship collided with the Koevorden, Elf Steden, and Stad Utrecht. While the Elf Steden escaped, the Prins Maurits did not, and was burnt. Marinus de Clerq died, as a result. 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. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.

4. Dr. S. R. Gardiner, and C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.III, 1906.

I am still hoping to find more about some ships mentioned in Jan Glete's notes

Back in late 2003, I had mentioned a list from Jan Glete's notes from the early 1980's. He had seen a document dated 30 March 1652, that lists some ships:

• Weesp
• Advise Jacht (?)
• Adrnsom (?)
• Colburg
• Zutphen
• Harderwijck
• Harderin

I am guessing that if the document were found, it might include captain's names. Perhaps we could decipher the garbled names, as well. Based on my experience, I think we could. My interest was prompted by a mention of a ship named Harderwijk from 1652.

Dutch Captain: Hendrick Huyskens

Hendrick Huyskens served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1652 and 1653, he commanded the Westfriesland. He likely fought in the Battle of Portland in early 1653. He also very probably fought in the Battles of the Gabbard and Scheveningen in 1653. One characteristic of Dutch ships as the war progressed is that their crew size increased. The Westfriesland's crew increased from 100 to 140 by the summer of 1653. See my old post about the ships in 1653. In 1656, he commanded the Tromp (or Muiltromp) (42 guns) in the expedition to Danzig. In 1658, he commanded the Doesburg (42 guns). Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700", 2004.

Dutch Captain: Adriaan van Loenen

Adriaan van Loenen served the Admiralty of Amsterdam during the First Anglo-Dutch War. At the outset, he commanded the 24-gun ship Patientia. He was in Augustijn Balck's convoying squadron that escorted a merchant fleet to Muscovy. In 1653, he commanded the 28-gun Goude Reael. He seems to have been with Witte de With at the Texel in July 1653. Interestingly enough, at least to me, pages 202 and 203 of Dr. Elias's book, Vol.V, refer to the" list of ships at Vlissingen" in July 1653. The title is somewhat misleading, as it includes ships in the Texel and at Goeree (I believe). Adriaan van Loenen almost certainly fought in the Battle of Scheveningen, and probably fought in the Battle of the Gabbard. Sources:

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

2. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.V, 1928.

3. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

The Dutch ship Salamander in July 1653

In July 1653, two ships were hired by the Zeeland board from Burgomaster Lamsen. They were the Salamander and the new Vlissingen. We know that the Salamander was a Zeeland Directors' ship. Sources:

1. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.

2. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.V, 1928.

Dutch Captain: Jan Pauluszoon van Gelder

Jan Pauluszoon van Gelder served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He was Michiel De Ruyter's stepson. In May 1667, he commanded the Harderwijk (44 guns) in the Raid on Chatham, as well as in July. In 1671, he commanded the Noord Holland (44 guns). He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he commanded the Provincie van Utrecht (60 guns). In July, 1672, he still commanded the Provincie van Utrecht. In the Schooneveld Battles, he commanded the Steenbergen (68-70 guns). He fought in the Battle of the Texel, still in command of the Steenbergen. He was killed in the battle. 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. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Hillebrant Quast's fleet sent to fight privateers from September

Hillebrant's Quast fleet sent, presumably to the Mediterranean Sea, to fight privateers from September 1617 until May 1618:

Adm.  captain            ship             lasts   sailors  soldiers
A     Jacob v Edam       Gulden Valck       220        94        30
A     Carsten Rosegaerdt Vrieslant            -        82         -
A     Dirck Quirijn      Utrecht              -        90         -
A     Quirijn Brack      Gouden Arent       220        90        36
A     Jan Pellecoren     Hollandt           300       130         -
N     Hillebrant Quast   Orangienboom       250         -        48
N     Gerrit Ruyter      Gulden Leeu        180        85        24
N     Outger Buysman     Vergulden Makreel    -        79         -

The Admiralty key is:  A=Amsterdam, N=Noorderkwartier

Claes Marinuszoon Juynbol

Claes Marinuszoon Juynbol commanded the Rotterdam ship Neptunus in the attack on the Spanish Silverfleet. He was killed in the fight. His ship was one we know a good bit about, since it belonged to the Admiralty of Rotterdam:

• Neptunus (Neptunis in old documents)
• 26 guns: 2-24pdr, 16-18pdr, 2-12pdr, and 6-6pdr
• Crew: 85 sailors
• Built: 1623
• Size: 170 lasts

Sources:

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

2. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Armada van 1639, 1941.

I do have a copy of the Van de Velde drawing of the Gorinchem (Gorcum)

I had not previously noticed, but I do have a copy of the Van de Velde drawing of the Gorinchem (also known as the Gorcum). The picture is facing page 138 in the book by Dr. Johanna K. Oudendijk, Johan de Witt en de Zeemacht (1944). I don't feel able to post such things, due to the rights issues. I will only post most drawings that are done "after" such pictures. The problem usually is that what I can do is not up to the original, but what can we do?

Dutch Captain: Thomas Tobiaszoon

Thomas Tobiaszoon served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He was from Ireland. In 1673, he was flag captain (presumably to Cornelis Tromp) on the Gouden Leeuw, and in September 1673 was on the Waesdorp (68 guns) and the Steenbergen (68 guns). Frank Fox, in A Distant Storm, takes the lead from Dr. Weber and says that "Thomas Tobias" commanded the Harderwijk (44 guns) in the Four Days' Battle and St. James's Day Battle. This is probably Thomas Tobiaszoon. He commanded the Beschermer (50 guns) in the Raid on Chatham in May 1667. In 1671, he commanded the Prins te Paard (56 guns). At the Battle of Solebay, and in July 1672, he commanded the English prize Oudshoorn (70 guns), the former English Swiftsure, captured in the Four Days' Battle. The Dutch altered the quartergalleries and other details to hide the ship's identity. In June 1674, he commanded the Geloof (58 guns) in De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700", 2004.

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.

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

Dutch Captain: Hendrik Brouwer

Hendrik Brouwer served the Admiralty of Amsterdam and fought in the Third Anglo-Dutch War. In 1672, he commanded the 70-gun ship Callantsoog (Kalandsoog) in the Battle of Solebay. He was assigned to Lt-Admiral Banckert's squadron in the battle. In January 1673, he was appointed as a Lieutenant-Colonel under Prins Willem III's command, with a company of sailors. Engel De Ruyter was appointed as Major and captains Ewijk, Tomas Tobiaszoon, Van Gelder, Berkhout, Bont, Schey, Uytterwijk, Swerius, Swart, and Elsevier were all to report to the Prince at Alphen. Andrew says that "Heyn Brouwer", who commanded the Klein Harder in August 1665, is actually Hendrick Brouwer, which seems right. I had not notice it until I went looking. I have a note about Heyn Brouwer that originates from Brandt. He was assigned to Tjerk Hiddes de Vries's squadron in De Ruyter's fleet. Sources:

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

2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700", 2004.

3. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.

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

I'm curious to know if dimensions for Dutch ships built before 1630's are known

I have wondered if dimensions are known for Dutch warship built prior to the 1630's. One for which we know length and beam, that was built in 1625, is the Noorderkwartier ship Eenhoorn. The depth in hold is not known, although we can estimate, based on the size in lasts. I have written about this, sometime in the last year or so. From looking at Ab Hoving's book about Witsen, it seems that something more is known. He has a table of dimensions and lasts towards the end of the book that looks promising. Oddly enough, there are some detailed armament lists extant for Rotterdam and Amsterdam ships from at least 1628. The Staet van Oorlog te Water for the years 1628, 1629, 1631, and 1633 all have such lists. The worst data is for Zeeland, as they had almost no information other captain's name and ship name. The best was for Rotterdam, as they often had the year the ship was built in the earlier lists. In the 1654 Staet, they only listed the years since the ship was built, and then used "Maes voeten", and didn't highlight the fact. That is what lead Vreugdenhil to publish misleading dimensions in his Dutch warship list. The list would lead you to believe that the ships were all in Amsterdam feet, but some of the Rotterdam ships were in Maas feet of about 308mm, divided into 12 inches. The Amsterdam foot was 283mm, and was divided into 11 inches.

Mooy Lambert's fleet sent to the Mediterranean Sea from 1619 to 1620

Thanks to Mr. Carl Stapel, we have the list for Mooy Lambert's fleet sent to the Mediterranean Sea to fight privateers. I have left the spellings as they appeared in the list.

The fleet of Moy Lambert to fight the
privateers in the Mediterranean from May 1619 to October 1620.

A   name               ship         lasts  sailors soldiers
M   Moy Lambert        Utrecht      300    -       -
M   Pieter Rochusz     Leeu(w)      200    -       -
M   Lenert Valck       Hollant      180    -       -
A   Jan Pellecoren     Zeelandia    280    -       -
A   Jan Ysbrantsz      -            -      -       -
A   Cornelis Moens     -            -      -       -
A   Dirck Cleysnorgh   Leyden       150    -       -
A   Barent Schaeff (!) Zutphen      200    -       -
Z   Cornelis Gorcum    -            -      -       -
Z   Jan de Cock        -            -      -       -
N   Hillebrant Quast   Orangienboom 250    -       48
N   Albert C 't Hoen   Griffioen    225    -       -
F   Tuenis Hees        -            -      -       -

Quast left the flleet on March 29th 1620 to return to Holland and Captain Gorcum became vice-admiral. Quast was a commandeur.... !

Haultain's fleet sent to the Mediterranean Sea from 1620 to 1621

Thanks to Mr. Carl Stapel, we have the list of Hautain's fleet sent to the Mediterrean Sea to fight privateers from 1620 to 1621. The admiralty key:

• M = Admiralty of the Maze (Rotterdam)
• A = Admiralty of Amsterdam
• Z = Admiralty of Zeeland
• N = Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier

The fleet list:

The fleet of Haultain to fight
privateers in the Mediterranean 1620 till 1621:

Adm  name         captain               Last   sailors   soldiers
M    Leeuwinne    Schrevel Ruynvelt     200    -         -
M    Gelderland   Geen Schapenham       180    -         -
A    Meerman      Ph van Dorp           100     70       20
A    Meerminne    Jacob v Steenbach     100     70       20
A    Gulden Leeu  Willem Claesz         130     80       22
A    Amsterdam    J Swartenhondt        350    156       36
A    Vrieslandt   Dirck P Vos           150     95       26
A    Vlack        Hans Bournon          220    110       30
A    Arent        Rem Evertsz           220    110       24
A    Edam         Thomas Pietersz       150     95       30
Z    Orranigh     M Hollar              400
Z    Mareminne    Cornelis Danielsz     260
Z    Aeolus       Louwerse Alteras      200
N    Samson       Outger Buysman        300
N    Gulden Leeu  Marten Remmertsz      180      0       32
N    Eendracht    Hillebrandt Quast     300
N    Makreel      Jan Thijsz            120

I probably can correct some spellings and supply more information about those ships that were listed in the Staets van Oorlog te Water for 1628-1633.

Dutch Captain: Jan Le Sage

Jan Le Sage commanded a Middelburg Directors' ship the Vergulde Haan during the First Anglo-Dutch War. At the beginning of the war, his ship carried 30 guns and had a crew of 105 men. He very likely took part in the opening battle of the war off Dover in May 1652. At least seven of the ships present were Zeeland directors' ships. He served with the fleet until the Battle of Portland. He probably fought in the Battle of Dungeness in 1652. He fought in the Battle of Portland and on the second day, he was reportedly killed and his ship was captured by the English after a stubborn defense. Prior to the battle, the plan had been that he and Cornelis Evertsen would separate from the larger convoy and accompany ships that were destined for St. Malo and other ports in Brittany. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2005.
2. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.

The ship Groenwijf

Thanks to Mr. Carl Stapel, we know something about a hitherto unknown ship, the Groenwijf. The Groenwijf was built in Amsterdam by master shipbuilder Jan van Reenen in 1667. The Groenwijf carried 36 guns and had dimensions of 123ft x 30ft x 12.5ft.

Dutch Captain: Jan Danielszoon van Rijn

Jan Danielszoon van Rijn served the Admiralty of Rotterdam. He distinguished himself in the command of fireships. At the Raid on Chatham, he commanded the Pro Patria, which charged the cable across the Medway and broke it, opening the way for the attack on the dockyard. He attacked the Dutch prize Mathias with his fireship and burnt her. In the Battle of Solebay in 1672, he commanded a fireship that successfully attacked the Earl of Sandwich's flagship St. James (100 guns) and fired her, causing her loss. The Earl drowned, after his crew lost their discipline and swamped his boat by jumping into it. This was another catastrophic example of how morale and discipline could suddenly collapse in the Restoration navy. The loss of the Royal Prince, in the Four Days Battle, is another example. Jan Danielszoon van Rijn also fought in the Battle of the Texel in 1673, where he commanded the fireship Louise. Sources:

1. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

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

Dutch Captain: David Laurenszoon van Convent

David Laurenszoon van Convent served the Admiralty of the Maze (Rotterdam). He fought in the Four Days Battle in June 1666, where he commanded the 64-gun Groot Hollandia in Aert van Nes's division. Later in the first day, Jan van Nes shifted his flag to the Groot Hollandia. On 25 July 1666, he fought in the St. James's Day Battle, again in Jan van Nes's division. In 1671, he still commanded the Groot Hollandia, but at the Battle of Solebay, in 1672, he commanded the Gelderland. Sources:

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

2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700", 2004.

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

De Ruyter's ships in 1664

The details about De Ruyter's ships in 1664 might be of some interest:

• Spiegel, 68 guns 1663 Amsterdam crew 315 men 156ft x 41ft x 15ft
• Provincie van Utrecht, 58 guns 1663 Amsterdam crew 265 men 145ft x 37ft x 14.5ft
• Geloof, 50 guns about 1661, Amsterdam crew 240 men 140ft x 40ft x 14ft
• Middelburg, 36 guns about 1661 Amsterdam crew 165 men
• Damiaten, 32 guns 1663 Amsterdam crew 135 men 120ft x 29ft x 12.5ft
• Edam, 34 guns 1644 Amsterdam crew 135 men 120ft x 28ft x 11ft
• Prinses Louise, 40 guns 1646 Rotterdam crew 175 men 120ft x 28.36ft x 12.55ft
• Rotterdam, 34 guns 1639 Rotterdam crew 124 men 116ft x 27ft x 11ft
• Harderwijk, 34 guns 1659 Rotterdam crew 150 men 112.5ft x 27.5ft x 10.5ft
• Noorderkwartier, 50 guns 1664 Noorderkwartier crew 258 men 136ft x 36ft x 13.5ft
• Rode Leeuw (Wapen van Holland), 36 guns about 1664 Noorderkwartier crew 150 men
• Caleb, 36 guns 1654 Noorderkwartier crew 150 men 130ft x 32ft x 12ft

Jenkins tells the story of d'Estree's abortive attack on Tabago

While Du Quesne was winning battles in the Mediterranean Sea, Admiral d'Estrees was sitting idle. He suggested that he lead an expedition to the West Indes to take the Dutch possessions. E. H. Jenkins, in A History of the French Navy (1973) tells the story of the campaign in the Caribbean in 1677-1678. This is described on pages 61-63. Jenkins mentions Vice-Admiral Binckes and the ships Berscherming (50 guns), Huis te Kruiningen (56 guns), and the Zeelandia (44 guns). D'Estrees sailed from Martinique in February 1677 to attack Tobago. Binckes didn't expect the French to attempt the narrow harbor entrance, but they did. The other Dutch ship mentioned by name was the Leiden, which caught fire and set the French Marquis afire as well. The French took the Huis te Kruiningen, but found she was burning as well. D'Estrees' flagship was the Glorieux, which caught fire when the Huis te Kruiningen exploded. The rest of the Dutch ships burned from the debris, and only the Berscherming survived. The French Preciéux was aground and was taken by the Dutch. The Dutch were left with the two ships. D'Estrees returned from France with 11 warships in December 1677. This time, the French attacked by land. They his the Bescherming with a mortar shell, exploding the magazine and killing Binckes. The Dutch surrendered. While sailing to Curacao in May 1678, d'Estrees ran his fleet aground on a low reef. D'Estrees was not punished, despite the fault being his navigation. Interestingly enough, an elderly captain named Forant was sent out to retrieve the artillery from the sunken fleet. He was able to find 364 guns and 3,000 shot. As I wrote, this is based on the account in Jenkins' book.

Dutch Captain: Claes Corneliszoon Valehen

Claes Corneliszoon Valehen (or Vale Haen) served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. In the summer of 1652, he commanded a fireship. In 1658, he commanded the Kasteel van Medemblik (28 guns) and fought in the Battle of the Sound. In June 1665, he commanded the Hoorn (or Wapen van Hoorn) and fought in the Battle of Lowestoft. He was assigned to Volckert Schramm's squadron that was mostly Noorderkwartier ships, along with some from the VOC. He missed the Four Days Battle. There were only a handful of Noorderkwartier ships involved there. He did fight in the St. James's Day Battle on 25 July 1666, where he was assigned to Jan Corneliszoon Meppel's squadron. In 1672, he commanded the Drie Helden Davids (50 guns) and fought in the Battle of Solebay. In 1673, he commanded the Prins van Oranje (64 guns) and fought first in the Schooneveld battles and then the Battle of the Texel. At the Battle of the Texel, he was assigned to Vice-Admiral Enno Doedes Star's division. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Captains", 2005.
2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700", 2004.
3. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.
4. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.

Dutch Captain: Bastiaan Tuyneman

Bastiaan Tuyneman (or Tuynemans) served the Middelburg Directors. At the start, he commanded the 30-gun ship Sint Laurens. In the opening action of the war, off Dover, his ship was disabled and captured by the English. In 1659, he commanded the Zierikzee, and was with De Ruyter's fleet that was dispatched to the Baltic. He fought at the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665, where he commanded the Wapen van Zeeland (36 guns) in Jan Evertsen's division. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Captains", 2005.
2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1620-1700", 2004.
3. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.