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.