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.