Dutch Captain: Jan Crook (or Krook)

Jan Crook (or Krook) served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. In August 1665, he commanded the Jupiter (44 guns) in De Ruyter's squadron. In 1666, he commanded the Hollandsche Tuin (56 guns). He fought in the Four Days' Battle and the St. James's Day Battle. From 1671 to 1673, he commanded the Wapen van Alkmaar (or Alkmaar) (62-64 guns). In May and June, he fought in the Schooneveld battles. In August, he fought in the Battle of the Texel, where he was assigned to Jan de Liefde's division in De Ruyter's squadron. In June 1674, he commanded the Gelderland (56 guns) in De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique. 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 James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.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.

I have an annotated list of Dutch ships at the Four Days' Battle

I have prepared a list of the Dutch ships at the Four Days' Battle that I hope to have posted at Kentishknock.com. Be patient, and I hope that it will eventually be there. I have annotated the list to indicate ships lost and captains and admirals killed. I also have the details of the crews (sailors, in some cases, marines, and soldiers). This list is ordered by admiralty and by ship type (ship of the line, frigate, yacht, and fireship).

Dutch Captain: Pieter de Liefde

Pieter de Liefde served the Admiralty of the Maze. He was son of Jan de Liefde. He was the second captain of the Zeven Provinciën at the Battle of the Texel in August 1673. He was also apparently at the Schooneveld battles, according to the journal entries in Dr. Bruijn's work. On De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique in June 1674, he commanded the Zeelandia (42 guns). the Zeelandia had been built in 1670, and had dimensions 130ft x 33ft x 14ft. 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 James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.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.

The Dutch Courts Martial after the Battle of Lowestoft

This spring, Mr. Carl Stapel had sent me the details of the captains that were court martialed after the Battle of Lowestoft. That still seems to be of interest, as can't be found in the usual published sources (Brandt and De Jonge). I have just done a bit of editing. He found the details in the Van den Bosch biography (pages 258-260) of Cornelis Tromp from 1692. It turns out that Cornelis Tromp was chairman of the Court Martial:

These are the captains (and admiral) tried by the court martial:

Sentenced to death by default (he defected to the English)
M  captain Laurens Heemskerk   -  frigate Vrede
 
Sentenced to death and shot:
VOC-captain Jan Onklaar           ship  Nieuwe Batavia
A  captain  Anthony van de Marre  ship Wakende Boei
N  captain Jacob Bruinings        ship Westfriesland
 
Sword broken before their eyes and shamed :
A  captain Willem van der Codde   ship IJlst frigate
A  capain  Jan van der Mars       ship Maagd van Enkhuizen
VOC capt  Apollony Pool           ship Sphera Mundi
 
Banned from the Republic and labelled unfit for service ever again:
N  captain  Samuel Huisman        ship Jupiter
M  captain  Jacob van der Cam     ship Gorinchem
M  steersman Ate Stinstra of the Groot Hollandia. He
    fled the fleet with this ship when Cortenaer died.
 
Johan Evertsen was cleared of any charges and freed.

Dutch Captain: Philips de Munnik

Philips de Munnik served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He commanded the Essen (or Wapen van Essen) through the Third Anglo-Dutch War. Thanks to Prof. Jan Glete, we know the length and beam of the Essen: 142ft x 36.75ft. Philips de Munnik fought at the Battle of Solebay in 1672. He is present in lists from July and September 1672. He also fought in the Schooneveld battles and the Battle of the Texel in 1673. In 1674, he was with De Ruyter's fleet that was sent to Martinique. He commanded the Burg van Leiden, which was an old ship by then. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.

Dutch Captain: Gerrit Hollaer

This is from my translation of the piece in Dr. M. G. De Boer's book Tromp en de Armada van 1639 (1941):

Gerrit Hollaer, of Vlissingen, son of Marinus Hollaer, the victor in the battle of the Slaak, was commander of a frigate, presumably the "Ter Tholen". In the beginning of the campaign, he played a not unimportant role and was dispatched on 12 May to La Coruna to see what the situation was there. He captured a pair of Biscayan ships near Cape Ortegal by boarding. He was then sent home with his prizes under the command of Coulster. On 9 July, he is with the fleet, but disappears from our sight; he did not take part in the decisive fighting and did not take a prize; he does not appear on the booty list.

Hendrick Pieterszoon's ship in 1653

Mr. Carl Stapel saw a listing in A. Vreugdenhil's notes for the ship belonging to Hendrik Pieterszoon in 1653. The listing in Vol.I of The First Dutch War has him reporting to the Monnikendam directors. Dr. Elias, on p.94 of Vol.V of Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen has him commanding the Halve Maen that was captured at the Battle of the Gabbard. This is the note from Vreugdenhil:

F-dir Man van Eden ? guns  Hendrik Pietersz  1653

This indicates a ship belonging to directors from Friesland (Harlingen?).

Another "goodie" from Mr. Carl Stapel: the Dutch fleet at Vigo Bay

In the continuing series of information from Mr. Carl Stapel, this is the list of the Dutch fleet at Vigo Bay for the capture of the Spanish Silverfleet. I believe that this is more material from Captain Warnsinck's notes from the Scheepvaart Museum.

         Capture of the Silverfleet at Vigos  on 23 October 1702

10 States' ships of the line

Adm Built Ship              Guns  Commander
A   1696  Vrijheid          96    Lt-Admiral Philips van Almonde
N   1690  Beschermer        90    Lt-Admiral Gerard Callenburgh
M   1694  Zeven Provincien  90   Vice-Admiral Philips van der Goes
A   1692  Unie              94   SBN Jan Gerrit Baron van Wassenaar
M   1692  Dordrecht         72   Captain Barent van de Pot       
A   1692  Slot Muiden       72   Captain Philips Schrijver
A   1693  Reigersbergen     72   Captain Herman Lijnslager
A   1694  Katwijk           72   Captain Cornelis Beekman              
M   1688  Veluwe            64   Captain Willem Baron van Wassenaer van Starrenbeurg
A   1699  Amelia            64   Captain Lucas de Veth

Transport ships

M   1702*  Groote Visscherij -   commandeur ? Outshoorn
M   1702*  Sint Anthonie     -   commandeur ? Loodesteyn
A   1702*  Drie Kronen       -   commandeur ? Gravesteyn
A   1702*  Admiraal Tromp    -   commandeur ? Rombouts
A   1702*  Zwarte Raven      -   commandeur Ernst Louis Zhum
A   1702*  Vergulde Roos     -   commandeur Hendrik Ravens
A   1702*  Eendracht         -   commandeur Simon J. de Jongh
N   1702*  Veermans Kaai     -   commandeur Speelman
F   1702*  Stad Amsterdam    -   commandeur ? Guiter

The 15 Dutch three-deckers built between 1682 and 1695

Mr. Carl Stapel had sent me the list of 15 Dutch three-deckers built during 1682 and 1695 as part of their building program. I have seen various versions of this list. This one originates from a Mariner's Mirror article by R. C. Anderson from 1929. This is probably not available on the Internet, so this is the list. I have annotated it slightly:

Dutch three-deckers.

R.C. Anderson wrote a paper in the MM 1929
nr. 1 pag 5-14 about Dutch Three Deckers. He
mentions that there were 15 built from the
period 1682-1695

Adm Year  Name
Z   1682  Zeelandia, 90 guns
N   1682  Westfriesland, 90 guns
M   1683  Admiraal-Generaal
A   1683  Prinses Maria, 92 guns
A   1687  Prins Willem
Z   1688  Koning Willem, 90 guns
N   1688  Kasteel van Medemblik
A   1689  Keurvorst van Brandenburg
A   1689  Keurvorstin van Brandenburg
A   1689  Keurvorst van Saksen
N   1690  Beschermer, 90 guns
M   1691  Beschermer     
A   1692  Unie, 94 guns
M   1694  Zeven Provincien, 90 guns
A   1695  Vrijheid, 96 guns

Dutch Captain: Jan Janszoon de Jongh

Jan Janszoon de Jongh served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. If he was the "Jan de Jong" mentioned by Brandt, then he was the commander of the Kat (8 guns and a crew of 18 men) in 1671. If that is true, then he would have commanded the Damiaten (34 guns) at Solebay in 1672. In early 1673, Prof. Bruijn says that he commanded the frigate Oudkarspel (34 guns), which Brandt had written was commanded by "Jan de Jong". He was given command of the Provincie van Utrecht (60 guns) from June 7, 1673. He still commanded the Provincie van Utrecht at the Battle of the Texel. Andrew writes that Jan Janszoon de Jongh commanded the Oostergo with Tromp's squadron off the coast of France. I had seen a reference to Jan Janszoon de Jongh at De Sneuper, but had thought it might be a different man with the same name, as this is Admiralty of Friesland-related. Jan Janszoon de Jongh commanded the Provincie van Utrecht in 1675 and 1676. He fought in the Battles of Stromboli, Agosta (Etna), and Palermo (Andrew says). Sources:

1. personal communication from Andrew,
2. piece about the Damiaten from Mr. Carl Stapel,
3. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
4. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

The Amsterdam ship Hollandia (1665)

Thanks to Mr. Carl Stapel, who sent us a piece about the Amsteram ship Hollandia (1665). This is based on a rare pamphlet from 1913. This is my translation of his piece:

Amsterdam  Hollandia:  165ft  x 41-3/4ft  x 15-1/4ft  80 guns  In service from 1665-1683

Ship of the 1st Charter; Admiralty shipyard in Amsterdam   lauched in 1665        

 80 guns: 10-24pdr; 18-18pdr; 28-12pdr; 20-6pdr and 4-6pdr

   Date  Commander              Guns Sailors Soldiers  Notes
   1665  Michiel de Ruyter      80                     Cruising in the North Sea
   1666  Cornelis Tromp         80   475               In the Texel roads
 6/1666  Cornelis Tromp         80   400     50        Four Days Battle                 
         Hendrik Hondius flag captain
 8/1666  Cornelis Tromp         80   373     36        Two Days Battle 
                                                       (St James Day)
         Hendrik Hondius flag  captain
9/1666  Willem Baron van Ghent  80                     Cruising in the North Sea
6/1667  Willem van der Zaan     80   400     40        Raid on Chatham
7/1667  Willem van der Zaan     80   380     40        Failed attack on Harwich
  1671  Isaac Sweers Vice-Adm   80   350     61        Patrolling in the Channel
6/1673  Jan den Haen SBN        80   348     78        Schooneveld I
6/1673  Jan den Haen SBN                               Schooneveld II
8/1673  Jan den Haen SBN                               Kijkduin (the Texel)
  1674  Cornelis Tromp Lt-Adm   82                     expedition to 
                                                        the French coast
11/1678 Cornelis Evertsen 
              de Jonge V.Adm    80                     Expedition to 
                                                        the Mediterranean Sea
1678-1682 Laid up in the Amsterdam dock in the naval magazine at IJ.                       
  1683  Willem Graaf van Stirum  V.A. 
                                80                     Expedition to Gothenburg
19/11/1683  The ship was lost in a heavy storm on the Dutch coast.

Fate: On the way back from Gothenburg in 1683 the ship was assaulted by a for days by a constant heavy storm which caused the ship to lose its head and barge. The masts had be cut down and the stern and side rails came apart from each other. The ship started to slowly work. The crew fired distress signals and during a quieter moment a full meeting occurred with the ship Moriaans Hoofd under command of Daniel Elsevier. Just a moment later the ship disappeared in the waves somewhere near the coast of North-Holland. Source: G.C.E. Crone, ’s Lands Schip Hollandia 1664-1683, 1913.

Dutch Captain: Cornelis Loncke

Cornelis Loncke served the Admiralty of Zeeland. In the First Anglo-Dutch War, he commanded the Faam (30 guns and a crew of 110 men). In the summer of 1652, he was with De Ruyter's fleet engaged in convoying in the Channel. He fought in the Battle of Plymouth on August 26, 1652. He was assigned to De Ruyter's squadron in that battle. He fought in the Battle of the Kentish Knock on October 8, 1652. He was probably still in De Ruyter's squadron. On December 10, 1652, he fought in the Battle of Dungeness, where he was assigned to Jan Evertsen's squadron. In the Three Days Battle (the Battle of Portland), he was assigned to Jan Evertsen's squadron. His ship was captured by the English in the last battle. He was apparently captured with his ship. Sources:

1. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.

2. Michael Baumber, General-at-Sea, 1989.

3. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1927.

4. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.

Another version of the list of De Ruyter's fleet in 1674

This is a different list for De Ruyter's fleet that went to Martinique in 1674 from Mr. Carl Stapel. I took the liberty of further annotating the list. I'm not sure if there are any differences with what I had posted from Brandt:

Ships of the line and frigates:

Adm ship             Year Guns Sailors Soldiers Captain

M   Zeven Provincien 1665 80   486     80       luit-adm-gen Michiel de Ruyter
Z   Zierikzee        1665 60   305     85       vice-adm Cornelis Evertsen de Jonge 
A   Spiegel          1663 70   296     83       S B N Engel de Ruyter
A   Bescherming      1665 50   188     91       Pieter de Sitter
(or Berschermer)
A   Burgh van Leiden 1653 44                    Philips de Munnik
N   Caleb            1654 46   198     33       Jan Muys
A   Damiaten,frigate 1663 34    96     72       Cornelis van der Zaan
Z   Delft, frigate   1664 32   120     89       Adriaan Banckert       
A   ’t Geloof      c.1661 58   183  99          Thomas Tobias
N   Gelderland       1654 56   237  41          Jan Krook
N   Jupiter          1653 40   166  31          Pieter Bakker
A   Oosterwijk            56   206  98          Pieter van Middelandt
A   Provincie van Utrecht 60   198 111          Johan de Witte
M   Schieland             60   202  60          Adriaan Poort
A   Tijdverdrijf          52   197  11          Graaf van Stierum
M   Utrecht               36   128  41          Barent Rees  
Z   Vlissingen       1653 50   220  70          Karel van der Putten
M   Zeelandia             42   183  61          Pieter de Liefde

Fireships

A   Groene Draak           4    22              Willem Willemsz
A   Leidster               4    18              Jan van Campen
M   Louisa                                      Jan Danielsz van den Rijn
M   Maria                                       Dirk de Munnik
A   Zaaier                 4    20              Cornelis Boermans
A   Zalm                   4    20              Arent Ruighaver

Snaauwen
A   Bonten Haan            8    36    0         Zeger Potter
Z   Bruinvis
M   Faam                   -     -   14         Jacob Hoek
M   De Griffioen           -     -   10         Evert de Liefde
A   Hoen                  12    45    0         Klaas Poortugaal
A   Tonijn                 8    28    0         Philips Melkenbeeke

Dutch Naval Officer: Frederik Willem van Bronckhorst Stirum

Frederik Willem van Bronckhorst Stirum lived from July 1649 until 16 July 1722. Brandt called him "Frans Willem Graaf van Stierum". He died at Borculo. He was lord of Gelre. He served in the Venetian service in 1669. He was with Willem III on his expedition to England in 1688. His early career was with the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In June 1674, he commanded the Tijdverdrijf (52 guns) on De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique. In July 1675, he commanded the Leeuwen (50 guns). He was with De Ruyter's fleet that was sent to the Mediterranean Sea. Andrew says that he fought in the Battles of Stromboli, Agosta (Etna), and Palermo in 1676. He was a luitenant-ter-zee in 1669. In 1671, he was promoted to kapitein-luitenant-ter-zee (commander). In 1674, he was promoted to kapitein-ter-zee. On 24 December 1678, he was appointed as a Schout-bij-Nacht for the Admiralty of Amsterdam. On 14 June 1680, he was appointed as Vice-Admiraal for the Admiralty of the Maze. On 26 March 1692, the Admiralty of Friesland appointed him as Luitenant-Admiraal. This is mainly based on the short biography in Luc Eekhout's Het Admiralenboek, but is supplemented from Brandt's biography of De Ruyter.

Dutch Captain: Pieter Klaaszoon Dekker

Pieter Klaaszoon Dekker served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1671, he commanded the Kater (8 guns and a crew of 18 men). He commanded the frigate Bommel (24 guns) and fought in the Battle of Solebay. In 1673, he commanded the Wakende Kraan (44 guns). He fought in the Schooneveld battles and the Battle of the Texel (Kijkduin). He was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's squadron. Andrew probably knows more about Pieter Dekker than I do, and he writes that Pieter Klaaszoon Dekker commanded the Province Utrecht (56 guns, 315 men) in the Channel squadron in 1689. He fought at the Battle of Beachy Head (1690) as captain of the Wapen van Utrecht (64 guns). "In 1692 he commanded the ship Leiden (64 guns) at the battle of Barfleur (May 1692)". The quote is from him, as well as the information for the 1680's and 90's. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedryf van den Heere Michiel De Ruiter, 1687.
3. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Dutch Captain: Cornelis van der Zaan

Cornelis van der Zaan served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He lived from about 1640 until 1691. In 1671, he commanded the advice jacht Galei (12 guns and a crew of 50 men). He 1672, he commanded the jacht Brak (24 guns) that had been completed in 1666. He seems to have fought in the Battle of Solebay. He commanded the 60 gun ship Amsterdam in 1673, and fought in the Schooneveld battles and the Battle of the Texel. He was assigned to Cornelis Tromp's division in the Battle of the Texel. He commanded the frigate Damiaten in De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique in 1674. In July 1675, he commanded the frigate Edam (34 guns). Andrew says that he fought at Stromboli, Agosta (Etna), and Palermo in 1676. In 1686. he commanded the Harderwijk (46 guns). Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
2. Jaap R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.

Dutch Captain: Willem Janszoon Stoffelszoon

Willem Janszoon Stoffelszoon fought in the Battle of the Sound in 1658. He commanded one of two ships hired by the city of Amsterdam. His ship was the Cogge (sometimes called Boge or Kogge). The Cogge carried 40 guns and had a crew of 109 sailors and 30 soldiers. Prof. Jan Glete established last year, by examining the literature, that the two ships, Cogge and Waag, which always had been something of a mystery, were hired by the city of Amsterdam for this voyage. Prof. Glete had immediately thought that Cogge and Waag sounded like names for merchant ships, which proved to be the case. Captain Stoffelszoon seems to have been assigned to Witte de With's van squadron. Sources:

1. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Sowie der Schwedisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1658-1659, 1923.

2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2004.

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

Dutch captain Jacob Claeszoon Boet's ship

Dr. Ballhausen read Jodocus Hondius's book Onstelde-Zee, Oft Zee-Daden (1654) Dr. Ballhausen cites page 82 from that book as the reference for Jacob Claeszoon Boet's ship being the Leeuwin (32 guns and a crew of 115 men). The Leeuwin was a Monnikendam Directors's ship carrying 4-brass and 28-iron guns. If this is correct, then the ship at the Battle of Portland was not the Zeeland Director's ship, but this one. My list lists Jacob Claeszoon Boet's ship, with reservations, as being the Leeuwin.

Dutch Captain: Maarten Schaeff

Maarten Schaeff served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In the summer of 1652, he commanded the hired ship Engel (28 guns and a crew of 100 men). When that ship was paid off, he was given command of the States' ship Omlandia (30 guns and a crew of 100 men). Dr. Ballhausen suggested that Maarten Schaeff fought that the Battle of the Gabbard. That is probably true as the Omlandia was one fo the few ships mentioned by name that was lying at Vlissingen on July 2, 1653, following the Battle of the Gabbard. Maarten Schaeff very likely had relieved Jacob Troucquois as captain in early 1653. The Omlandia was one of the Amsterdam ships sunk at that Battle of Scheveningen. By July 1654, he was in command of the Vereenigde Provinciën. This was one of the ships that was carrying a lighter armament than normal during 1654. The 32 guns consisted of 4-24pdr, 14-12pdr, 10-8pdr, and 4-6pdr. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.

2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2004.

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

4. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships at the Battle of the Gabbard", 2003.

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

Dutch Captain: Leendert Arentszoon de Jager

Dr. Ballhausen says that Leendert Arentszoon de Jager served the Admiralty of Rotterdam. He commanded the fireship Orangieboom at the Battle of Plymouth, under the command of Michiel de Ruyter. His was one of the fireships sent home after joining the main fleet, as they were in poor condition and not fit to be with the fleet. This seems to be the extent of what we know about Leendert Arentszoon de Jager. There also seems to be some confusion about his name, at least in Witte de With's dispatch. He called him "Hendrick Arendsz. Sanger". Sources:

1. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.

2. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.

The Scheepvaart Museum has a "gold mine" of good information

Mr. Carl Stapel was able to view the notes of Captain J. C. M. Warnsinck and A. Vreugdenhil at the Scheepvaart museum. I have two documents that he sent me, based on Captain Warnsinck's notes. The latest is a list of the ships in the Dutch fleet that sailed from Spithead on June 28th, 1695 to bombard Dunkirk. The other is a list of Dutch ships at the Battle of La Hougue on June 2, 1692. This list, for example, shows De Ruyter's old flagship, the Zeven Provinciën with 76 guns and commanded by Evert de Liefde.

Dutch Captain: Jan Noblet

Jan Noblet served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. In 1652, he commanded one of the 100 ships hired by the admiralties in 1652. The actual number hired never was 100, but that was specified by the action taken by the States General. He commanded the 24-gun ship Land van Beloften (Promised Land). In July, he was part of the fishery protection squadron that was operating off the east coast of Britain. His ship was taken on July 22nd. There were 12 ships taken or sunk on that day. The last we hear of Jan Noblet was in 1659, when he commanded the ship Orangieboom (36 guns and a crew of 140 men). He was with Michiel De Ruyter's fleet sent to the Sound in 1659. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
2. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.
3. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2005.
4. G. L. Grove, Journalen van de Admiralen Van Wassenaer-Obdam (1658/59) en De Ruyter (1659/60), 1907.

Dutch Captain: Corstiaen Eldertszoon

Corstiaen Eldertszoon (or Elberszoon) served the Admiralty of Rotterdam. He commanded one of the 100 ships hired by the Admiralties in 1652. He ship, the Roskam, carried 26 guns and had a crew of 105 men. The Roskam was one of the 116ft x 27ft x 11ft ships built in 1639. He took part in Tromp's voyage to the Shetlands in July and August 1652. While on the voyage, he took a smack carrying ashes for glass blowing. He apparently fought in the Battle of Dungeness. He was one of the captains that was to be sent to convoy ships to Nantes. He also fought in the Battle of Scheveningen, according to Dr. Ballhausen. He references Aitzema, Vol.III, page 833. My copy is hard to read, but I obviously need to take the time to study this page in the book. In early November 1653, the Roskam and three other ships came out of the Meuse to meet Witte de With and the merchant fleet he was escorting. They were eventually caught in the great storm, but apparently the Roskam survived. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.

2. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.

3. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2004.

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

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

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

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

Dutch Captain: Adriaan Corneliszoon van Ackersloot

Adriaan Corneliszoon van Ackersloot served the Amsterdam Directors during 1653. He commanded the ship Moor, of which we know the following:

• Length: 137ft
• Beam: 31ft
• Hold: 13-1/2ft
• Height between decks: 7ft
• Guns: 34, consisting of 20-12pdr, 12-6pdr, and 2-3pdr

The Moor was first listed on 28 January 1653. She may well have participated in the Battles of Portland, the Gabbard, and was definitely at Scheveningen. Captain van Ackersloot was assigned to Michiel De Ruyter's squadron at Scheveningen, and may have been as well, at the Gabbard. He was accused of deserting the fleet at Scheveningen.

Dutch Captain: Jan Janszoon Boermans

Jan Janszoon Boermans served the Admiralty of Amsterdam during the First Anglo-Dutch War. at the beginning of the war, he was assigned to Witte de With's squadron. He commanded the Prins Willem (28 guns and a crew of 100 men) until her loss in late 1653. He took part in Tromp's voyage to the Shetlands in July-August 1652 and survived the storm. He seems to have missed the battles in 1652, but seems to have fought in the Battle of Portland. We believe that he fought in the battles of the Gabbard and Scheveningen. That assessment is based on a notation on the list of ships lying at Vlissingen (and at the Texel and Goeree) in July 1653. The Prins Willem was one of the few ships actually named, although as the "Oude Prins". In October 1653, Jan Janszoon Boermans was with Witte de With and Michiel De Ruyter on the convoying mission from Norway to home waters. The Prins Willem was one of the ships lost in the storm. Witte de With had warned the authorities that the risk was great, but he was ordered to conduct the mission despite his warning. The storm caused as many losses a losing a battle to the English. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
2. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
3. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Captains”, 2005.
4. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
5. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

Dutch Captain: Dirck Pater

Dirck Pater started the First Anglo-Dutch War serving with the Amsterdam Directors. He commanded the Blauwe Arend (28 guns). In early 1652, his lieutenant was Hendrick Hendrickszoon Hon. The ship's dimensions were 127ft x 28.5ft x 12.25ft. The height between decks was 6ft-10in. The guns carried on November 8th, 1652, were: 4-brass 18pdr, 8-12pdr, 8-8pdr, 6-6pdr, and 2-3pdr. In November 1652, he was operating with 8 other ships against smugglers in the Sound. He was not present at the Battle of the Gabbard, where the Blauwe Arend was accused of fleeing the battle. He ended the war in command of Boëtius Schaeff's former ship Hoop. He had commanded the Hoop in the Battle of Scheveningen. Source:

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

2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript “Dutch Directors' Ship Information 1652-1653”, 2004.

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

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

I hope to be able to offer color posters of some of my ship paintings

I have hopes that I will be able to offer color posters of some of my paintings (and possibly, drawings). They would only be digital prints of images, but that is superior to what was previously possible. I would like to have posters of my Zeven Provinciën picture and of the Brederode painting.

Dutch Captain: Willem Adriaanszoon Warmont

Willem Adriaanszoon Warmont served the Admiralty of the Maze (Rotterdam). Her was the stuurman (quartermaster) on the ship Gorcum in the Battle of the Kentish Knock, when his captain Jan Jacobszoon van Nes de Oude Boer Jaep and his son Andries van Nes with about 30 of the crew, and the ship was captured by the English. Apparently, those still on board caused the English to abandon the ship by setting a fuse to gunpowder under the deck. Warmont "perserved the floor". He apparently was then promoted to command the ship. Dr. Ballhausen writes that he fought in the Battle of Portland, presumably in the Gorcum. There is a mangled reference to Willem Adriaanszoon, so this is probably the case. He may also have fought in the Battle of the Gabbard, but there is no strong evidence that is the case. The only information we have is the list of ships at Vlissingen in July 1653, which has a list (but not ship names) of ships at the Battle of the Gabbard. He definitely commanded the ship Gorcum (or Gorinchem) in the Battle of Scheveningen. He was killed in the battle during the late morning. This seems to have been when several captains and ships were lost. Sources:

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

2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships at the Battle of the Gabbard", 2003.
3. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1927.

Dutch Captain: Pieter Schellinger

Pieter Schellinger served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. At the beginning of the First Anglo-Dutch War, he commanded the Stad van Medemblick, one of the 36 cruisers funded in 1651. Initially, the Stad van Medemblick carried 26 guns and had a crew of 100 men, but later, she carried 30 guns and had a crew of 110 men. In July and August 1652, he was with Tromp's fleet on he voyage to the Shetlands. The Resolutions of the States General mentions Captain Schellinger as being at the Battle of the Kentish Knock. Dr. Ballhausen mentions him, as well, although that is not a reference that would ordinarily impress me. More likely, he was in the Baltic under the command of Augustijn Balck. Certainly, at the end of November 1652, he was one of 15 ships and their captains engaged in convoying in the winter season of long nights. As they set sail for the Baltic on October 29th, perhaps he could have been at the Kentish Knock and the voyage to the Baltic. He definitely fought in the Battle of the Gabbard, where his ship was captured by the English. We suspect that he was killed in the battle. Dr. Ballhausen lists him as being at the following battles and operations (new style dates):

• Battle of Dover on May 29th, 1652,
• Tromp's voyage to the Shetlands in July-August 1652,
• Battle of the Kentish Knock on October 8th, 1652,
• Battle of the Gabbard on June 12-13, 1652

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. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.

4. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1925.

5. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1927.

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

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

8. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.

Dutch Captain: Johannes Regermorter

Johannes Regermorter commanded a 30-gun ship hired by the Middelburg Directors. He seems to have fought in the Battle off Dover on May 29, 1652. In July and August, he was with Tromp's fleet on the voyage to the Shetlands, when the fleet was ravaged by a storm. In mid-August 1652, he was assigned to Witte de With's squadron. In December, he reported that Blake's fleet was on the Flemish coast. He seems to have fought in the Battle of the Kentish Knock. At the Battle of Dungeness, he was in Jan Evertsen's squadron. He fought in the Battle of Portland, where he was killed. Prior to his death, he had rescued Captain Cleydyck and most of his crew, when Cleydyck's ship was sunk. His ship carried his body back to Zeeland, as part of the 17 ships that sailed to Vlissingen after the battle. We wondered if his ship might have been the Leeuwin, a Directors ship that was known to have been at the Battle of Portland, according to Hondius. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.

2. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.

3. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1927.

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

5. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.

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

7. Jodocus Hondius, Onstelde-Zee, Oft Zee-Daden, 1654.

Dutch Captain: Dirck Claeszoon van Dongen

Dutch captain Dirck Claeszoon van Dongen took part in the summer campaign leading up to the Battle of the Downs in 1639. On October 3rd, he was assigned to a squadron with captains Cornelis Engelen Silvergieter, Waterdrincker, Frans Janszoon, Forant, Regermorter, Commandeur Johan Hendrickszoon de Nijs, De Zeeuw, Juynbol, and Melcknap. He also took part in the council of war on October 8th. At the start of the Battle on 13 October, he was in Tromp's squadron. He commanded "a buss-convoyer from the Maas". Sources:

1. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Armada van 1639, 1941.
2. Charles R. Boxer, The Journal of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp Anno 1639, 1930.

Dutch Captain: Robbert Post

Robbert Post commanded the ship Deventer during the campaign against the Spanish Armada in 1639 that led up to the Battle of the Downs. The Deventer was a substantial ship, being 250 lasts. The Deventer carried 32 guns and had a crew of 120 men. The Deventer had been built by the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1636, Jacob Brouwer had been her commander. He was succeeded by Govert Gerritszoon Voorens from June 1637 up until 1639. Due to Govert Vooren's problems, partly created by his bad relations with Witte de With, Robbert Post commanded the Deventer at the Battle of the Downs. A 250-last ship could have been 130ft x 32ft x 13ft. We really can't know the exact dimensions due to the uncertain way that lasts were calculated or measured. The "factor" could vary widely. I know of examples that vary between 217 and 233 or greater. There are a few examples where the factor is claimed to be less than 200. 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.
3. Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, 1938.

Dutch Captain: Jan Teuniszoon Sluys

Jan Teuniszoon Sluys served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He seemingly only served from April 1637 until 25 August 1645. He was involved in the entire campaign in 1639 leading up to the Battle of the Downs. He had the honour of taking the first prize in that battle. He had been given the nickname of the Boer Jaap, which we had seen used to describe two men in the Van Nes family. This led to confusion over identities. In 1641, he was with a squadron that took Prins Willem and other dignitaries over to England for the Prince's marriage to Mary Stuart. Captain Sluys transported 24 of the passengers. He apparently died on 25 August 1645. Barent Cramer had hoped to be given command of the Walcheren, but was given the old ship of Captain Toelast, instead. The Walcheren was a ship of 180 lasts, with 28 guns and a crew of 110 men. Captain Sluys took command of the Walcheren from the previous captain Pieter Meeuwszoon Vloo. Sources:

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

2. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Duinkerkers, 1949.

Dutch Captain: Willem van Brederode

Willem van Brederode served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He initially served in the army. When the so-called Nassau fleet planned to attack Spanish colonies on the west coast of America, the ship had five companies of 120 soldiers on board. These were commanded by Willem van Brederode. Apparently, Witte Corneliszoon de With was along, as well. In 1624, there is a note in the Resolutions of the Admiralty of Amsterdam noting that of 16 candidates, 8 would be appointed as captains. Willem van Brederode was one of those appointed, and his first command was the Witte Leeuw, a vessel of 110 lasts and a crew of 70 sailors. He continued to command the Witte Leeuw during 1627 and 1628. One December, his crew refused to go to sea. The beginning of his career was unhappy. Two weeks later, he was appointed an ordinary captain and given command of a new ship that was being fitted out for sea. In 1629, he commanded the Gouda, a ship of 200 lasts with a crew of 90 sailors. In 1630, he lost a ship, for which he was held accountable. In 1636, he was appointed to command the Utrecht. This was a ship of 200 lasts with either 30 or 32 guns. In 1639, he served during the campaign leading up to the Battle of the Downs. He seems to have died, as Jacob Meyndertszoon van Uyl was brought to command his ship. Much of this description is based on my translation of the entry in Dr. De Boer's book Tromp en de Armada van 1639. 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.

3. Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, 1938.

Dutch Captain: Claes Corneliszoon Ham

Claes Corneliszoon Ham lived from about 1600 until 1647. From 1636 until 1638, he served the Hoorn Directors. In 1639, he commanded the ship Sampson (32 guns and a crew of 120 men). He fought in the Battle of the Downs under Tromp's command. Charles Boxer's book is almost useless, as he seems to continually confuse Claes Corneliszoon Ham with Claes Janszoon Ham, who served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. Claes Corneliszoon Ham seems to have been engaged in convoying in 1642. Claes Corneliszoon Ham was part of the expedition to the Sound under Thijssen in 1644. He was appointed Captain-at-Sea in 169 by the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In 1644, he was appointed as a temporary Vice-Admiral. Sources:

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

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

3. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Duinkerkers, 1949.

4. Luc Eekhout, Het Admiralenboek: De Vlagofficieren van de Nederlandse marine 1382-1991, 1992.

Dutch Captain: Hendrick de Raedt

Hendrick de Raedt served the Amsterdam Directors during the First Anglo-Dutch War. Hendrick de Raedt commanded the ship Zwarte Leeuw (28 guns) hired by the Amsterdam Directors. He may have assumed command as early as March 1652. He was very likely present at the Battle off Dover on May 29th, 1652, under Tromp's command. He was also with the fleet on the Voyage to the Shetlands in July and August. His letter listing captains in the fleet, as well as a description of the aftermath was published as a pamphlet. In mid-December, he was sent to the Sound and the Danish ports with Barent Cramer as the commandeur, along with Joris de Caulerij and Frederick de Coninck to convoy Dutch merchant ships and to protect them against privateers. In May 1653, Hendrick de Raedt was operating under Evert Anthonissen's command (Hollandia, 32 guns) engaged in convoying along with Frederick de Coninck (Groote Vergulde Fortuijn, 35 guns), Barent Cramer (Edam, 28 guns). They were ordered to the Texel. Local defense in the Vlie roads would be provided by the Samson (Hendrick Adriaanszoon) and the Purmerland (Andries Sijvertszoon). Hendrick de Raedt very likely fought in the Battle of Scheveningen. He also seems to have been with Witte de With's convoying fleet sent to Norway in October, and survived the storm. Sources:

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

2. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.

3. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.

4. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol.II, 1923.

5. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1925.

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

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

My updated translation of the piece on Hans Bournon (thanks to Marco Schuffelen)

Marco Schuffelen (of "Hear Dutch") helped me with my translation problems with the piece on Hans Bournon. Here is my latest attempt at a translation:

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 Dunkerker and caused such a severe leak that the ship was stranded on the coast of the Bay of Biscay and broke up and so was lost. 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".

The sentence of interest is the one about February 1624. The shot caused such a severe leak that the ship was stranded and broke up.