Dutch Captain: Gillis de Wildt

Gillis de Wildt served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He commanded the old warship Campen (46 guns) with the fleet in the Channel in May 1667. He was assigned to Van Ghent's Third Squadron. He took part in the actual Raid on Chatham, where he again was assigned to Van Ghent's Third Squadron. Under the command of Vice-Admiral Star, he was with a group of ships that went up the Thames to Rochester. Sources:

1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst tocht naar Chatham", 2005.

Dutch handwriting from 1652 to 1654

I have a good deal of material from 1652 to 1654 (and other periods). I spent an hour or so looking through the stack of copies from the Zeeuws Archief. It largely seems to be financial information, although somewhere in the stack, I had found the page with the name and dimensions of Jan Olivierszoon's ship. I did not see them, tonight. I just was looking through a stack of copies (much smaller) from the Nationaal Archief that Rick van Velden had found for me earlier this year. this is the stack that had the names of ships that I had not previously known. For example, Jacob Pieterszoon Houck's ship is named Sampson, but at first, the name looked something like Hamp Son (or Zon). Then, I realized that it was Sampson. I wonder if I can find references for similar documents, if they might have more names that we haven't previously known. I would be tempted to pay someone to transcribe some handwriting for me, if there was anyone with the expertise. I probably cannot afford too much, but it could be helpful. This stack includes the handwritten list that was the obvious source for the list published first in the Hollandsche Mercurius for 1652 and then in The First Dutch War, Vol.I. The list is actually dated something like July 15, 1652.

Dutch Captain: Pieter Jacobszoon Nanning

Pieter Jacobszoon Nanning served the Admiralty of the Maze (Rotterdam). In 1667, he commanded the old frigate Gorinchem (sometimes called Gorcum). He commanded the Gorinchem with De Ruyter's fleet in the Channel in May 1667. He was assigned to De Ruyter's First Squadron. He took part in the actual Raid on Chatham, where he was still assigned to De Ruyter's squadron. In July 1667, at the time of the Raid on Harwich, he was with De Ruyter's fleet. The Gorinchem, with him as captain, was one of 13 ships under the command of Vice-Admiral Evertsen, that took part in the actual Raid on Harwich. The commanders were Vice-Admiral Evertsen, Schout-bij-Nacht van Nes, Dirck Schey, Jan de Haan, Jacob van Meeuwen, Hendrick Adriaanszoon, Nicolaas Naalhout, Pieter Jacobszoon Nanning, Jan Maauw, Adriaan de Haaze, Jan Pieterszoon Vinkelbosch, Roelof Ketelaar, Dirk de Munnik (advijs jacht), Willem Meerman (fireship), and Willem Gerritszoon Amberlandt (fireship). Sources:

1. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst tocht naar Chatham", 2005.

I spoke with Frank Fox about the Maen van Edam and Hendrik Pieterszoon

I spoke with Frank Fox recently and we discussed the ship "Man van Edam" mentioned by Schaap in his article about the Admiralty of Friesland. He says that the ship was hired by the Friesland Directors. The dimensions that Schaap mentions are notable, as I have written before: 168ft ( ? ) x 47ft x 19ft. This ship appears, in fact, to be the ship captured by the English as the Battle of the Gabbard (Nieuwpoort) in June 1653. In Frank Fox's first book, Great Ships: the Battlefleet of King Charles II (1980), he reproduces the dimensions for the "Half Moon" (the name given the ship by the English): keel 97ft beam 25ft depth in hold 10ft-8in. Using my system for converting these to Dutch dimensions, I would calculate the dimensions as 130ft x 28ft x 12ft, radically different from Schaap's dimensions. Frank Fox says that if the English had captured a ship of the dimensions mentioned by Schaap, we would see reference to it in the English records (which we do not see). We can only conclude that for some reason, Schaap was mistaken in his dimensions.

I need to take the time to scan my documents from the Zeeland Archives

I have this thick stack of papers from the Zeeland Archives (Zeeuws Archief). I have only gotten one piece of information from them, although that one piece was good (the name of Jan Olivierszoon's ship and its dimensions). I am looking through the first pages, and can read tantalizing pieces. What I need to do is to start scanning them so that I can enlarge them so that they are more easily read (they are two pages to the copy). The main difficulty with that is that the amount of time involved is enormous.

The Roads of Texel site

The site De Reede van Texel is up and worth checking out, if you are interested in 17th Century naval history. The site shows a diorama built by the model-makers at Artitec. We have heard that a limited run of some of the ships will be available for purchase, eventually. That was the stated plan, as long ago as last year. We can only hope that it happens. Their VOC site shows the state of development from earlier in the diorama building process.

English Captain: William Kempthorne

William Kempthorne served in the Restoration navy. In 1664, the Duke of York appointed him as lieutenant of the Dunkirk. In 1665, he was lieutenant on the Resolution. Later in 1665, he was appointed as captain of the 6th Rate Martin (14 guns). He fought in the attack on the Dutch East Indiamen at Bergen on 2 August 1665. In 1666, he was captain of the 5th Rate Richmond. He was with the fleet in August and September 1666. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.I 1660-1666, 1939.
2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Edmund Seaman

Edmund Seaman seems to have served in both the Commonwealth and Restoration navies. In 1644 and 1645, he had commanded the hired merchantman Honour (26 guns, a crew of 108 men, and 359 tons). He was in the Summer Guard for 1644. In 1646, he commanded the hired merchantman Samuel. In 1653, he commanded the hired merchantman Samson (40 guns). He fought in the Battle of Livorno on 4 March 1653. He was assigned to Henry Appleton's division. His ship was burnt by a Dutch fireship, after being at the point of surrendering to Cornelis Tromp in the Maan (40 guns). Edmund Seaman was one of only 42 men to survive out of a crew of 130 men. After the Restoration, he definitely commanded the Centurion in 1665. It appears from an entry in Sir Thomas Allin's Journal, that he commanded the Richard and Martha in June 1663. Perhaps he was in the merchant service at that date. He was operating in home waters at that time. In 1666, he commanded the 2nd Rate Old James. He fought in the Four Days' Battle in 1666, where he was assigned to Sir Joseph Jordan's division in the Red Squadron. On 25 July 1666, he fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was assigned to Sir Thomas Allin's division in the White Squadron. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, "English Fleet-Lists in the First Dutch War," The Mariner's Mirror, Vol.XXIV No.4, October 1938.
2. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.I 1660-1666, 1939.
3. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
4. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
5. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Bernard Gilpin

Bernard Gilpin served in the Restoration navy after having previously served in the Commonwealth navy. From 1658 until 1660, he commanded the 4th Rate Nantwich (renamed Breda on the Restoration). He continued in command of the Breda after the Restoration. In 1662, he commanded the Dutch prize Mathias (ex-Amsterdam Directors' ship Sint Matheeus). In late June, he was employed as a convoyer to the Mediterranean Sea. In 1663, he was appointed to command the Hector. In 1664, he was appointed as captain of the Kent. In June 1664, he was in the Downs and occasionally encountered Sir Thomas Allin. He was moved to the Dreadnought. We know that in July 1664, he commanded the Dreadnought. He drowned in April 1665. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.I 1660-1666, 1939.
2. R. C. Anderson, List of English Naval Captains 1642-1660, 1964.
3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Thomas Fowler

Thomas Fowler(or Fouler) served in the Restoration navy. The Duke of York appointed him as lieutenant of the Reserve in 1670. In 1672, he was lieutenant of the York. Later in 1672, the Duke of York appointed him First Lieutenant of the London. In 1673, he was First Lieutenant of the Prince. Prince Rupert promoted him to second captain of the Prince, later in 1673. He was Sir Edward Spragge's flag captain at the Battle of the Texel, when Spragge was drowned while transferring to another ship. After that, still in 1673, he was captain of the Rupert. The King reappointed him as captain of the Rupert on 27 December 1673. On 27 April 1675, the King appointed him as captain of the Swallow. The King next appointed him as captain of the Greenwich on 7 January 1678 (1677 in the old style). On 12 April, he was moved to the Henrietta. On 22 September, he was back as captain of the Swallow (50 guns). In an unfortunate incident, three ships, which he took to be Algerines, mistook him for an Algerine. He He gave chase and drove them ashore. The proved to be a French merchant ship and two English merchantships. This was sometime in 1679. On 14 April 1683, the commissioners appointed him as captain of the Woolwich. The King appointed him as captain of the prize Golden Horse on 29 April 1685. Somewhat later, on 111 June, he was moved to the Happy Return. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: John Hart, Sr.

John Hart, Senior, served in the Restoration navy. In 1664, he was captain of the Bristol. In 1665, he was captain of the Revenge. On 21 October 1665, he he received his appointment as captain of the 2nd Rate Rainbow. He fought in Sir John Harman's rear division in the White Squadron. His ship became disabled and he had a narrow escape from capture. The Rainbow was repaired in time to fight in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was assigned to Sir Jeremy Smith's division in the Blue Squadron. In 1667, he commanded the hired ship Loyal Subject. This was from June until September. In early 1668, he commanded the 2nd Rate French Ruby. Later in 1668 and into 1669, he commanded the Portland. In late 1669 into 1670, he served under Sir Thomas Allin in the Mediterranean Sea. In 1671, he was captain of the Rupert. In 1672, he was back as captain of the Revenge (58 guns). He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he was assigned to Sir John Harman's division in the Red Squadron. He died before 1688. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.I 1660-1666, 1939.
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. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
5. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Simon Sadd

Simon Sadd served in the Restoration navy. In 1660, he was lieutenant on the Royal James. In 1661, he was lieutenant of the Crown. In 1662, he was lieutenant of the Sapphire. In 1664, he was lieutenant of the John and Katherine. He may have fought in the Battle of Lowestoft. In 1665, he was lieutenant of the Dutch prize Zealand. Later in 1665, he was back in the John and Katherine as captain. He commanded her from 18 July 1665 until 5 October 1665. The John and Katherine was present for the fighting on 3rd and 9th September 1665. Sources:

1. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: John Temple

John Temple was appointed lieutenant of the House of Swyte in 1660. In 1665, he was appointed as lieutenant of the Constant Catherine. He was dismissed from the service in 1666. We next see him as captain of the 6th Rate Drake in 1671. John Narborough wrote that on 12 May 1672, he took 50 men off John Temple's ship, the Drake "galley", to reinforce the Prince. In 1672, he was captain of the Mermaid. While cruising off the Texel in the Mermaid, he "took a valuable prize". The King appointed him as captain of the Adventure on 9 August 1673. The King next appointed him as captain of the Quaker ketch on 29 March 1675. A short while later, on 22 April 1675, the King appointed him to command the Dartmouth. On 10 March 1678 (they called it 1677 in the old style date), the King appointed him to command the Jersey. The commissioners appointed him to command the Sweepstakes on 19 June 1680. It was the King who appointed him on 11 June 1685 to command the Mary Rose. He was reappointed to command the Mary Rose on 6 September 1685. He died in July 1687. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
3. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
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 Tempest

John Tempest served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he served as the lieutenant of the hired ship Eagle. The Eagle was hired at Portsmouth in March 1665. She was engaged at the Battle of Lowestoft and was also with the main fleet during the expedition to Norway. She took part in the fights on September 3rd and 9th, 1665. She was paid off in October 1665. She had been a veteran of the First Anglo-Dutch War, but Frank Fox could find no record of her being engaged in any battle. In 1667, John Tempest was appointed as lieutenant of the Ruby. In 1668, he was lieutenant on the Dunkirk and then the Edgar. In 1672, he was First Lieutenant of the Edgar. Later in 1672, he was appointed captain of the Augustin. Later yet in 1672, he was captain of the Sweepstakes. He fought in the First Schooneveld Battle as captain of the Sweepstakes (36 guns). He was killed in the battle. He had been assigned to the Blue Squadron. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: William Trelawny

William Trelawny (or Trelauny) served in the Restoration navy. In 1673, he was Third Lieutenant of the Prince. In 1673, he was lieutenant of the Centurion. On 9 March 1674, he King appointed him as lieutenant on the Swallow. On 28 April 1675, he was appointed as lieutenant on the Bristol. His one command was the Lark, where he was appointed captain on 26 January 1678 (they called it 1677, in the old style). In July, Sir Thomas Allin had recommended that William Trelawny be appointed captain of the Sweepstakes, and that Captain Wild should take command of the Lark. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.II 1667-1678, 1940.
2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Thomas Bridgeman

Thomas Bridgeman served in the Restoration navy. In 1664, he was appointed as lieutenant of the Bristol. Later in 1664, he became lieutenant of the 3rd Rate Resolution. In 1665, he was appointed as lieutenant of the 2nd Rate Swiftsure. In 1666, he was promoted to captain of the Guernsey. In 1668, he became captain of the Speedwell. In 1669, he was captain of the prize Fountain. In 1672, he was captain of the Sweepstakes (40 guns). In August, he was assigned to Sir Joseph Jordan's division in the Red Squadron. In 1673, he was appointed commander of the Greenwich. We know that the Greenwich (54 guns) took part in the Schooneveld battles and the Battle of the Texel. We know for certain that Thomas Bridgeman commanded her in the Schooneveld Battles. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.
3. J. C. M. Warnsinck, Admiraal De Ruyter De Zeeslag op Schooneveld Juni 1673, 1930.

English Captain: George Colt

George Colt served in the Restoration navy. In 1663, the Duke of York appointed him as lieutenant of the Guinea frigate. In 1665, he was lieutenant of the Newcastle. In 1666, the Duke of York appointed him as captain of the Richard and Martha. He commanded the Richard and Martha from 16 June 1666 until 8 November 1666. He fought in the St. James's Day Battle, where the Richard and Martha had 10 killed and 32 wounded. In 1667, he commanded the Jacob fireship. In 1673, the Duke of York appointed him to command the new sloop Hunter. In 1674, the King appointed him captain of the Vulture sloop. He drowned in 1675. Sources:

1. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
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.

Admiralty of Amsterdam ships in early March 1653

In early March 1653, after the Battle of Portland, the surviving ships were deployed as follows:

In the Mediterranean Sea

Verenigde Provincien, 40 guns  Johan van Galen
Zon, 40 guns                   formerly commanded by
                                 Anthonis van Zalingen
Maan, 40 guns                  David Janssen Bondt
Haarlem, 40 guns               Dirk Crijnen Verveen
Zutphen, 36 guns               Jan Uyttenhout
Maecht van Enkhuizen, 34 guns  Cornelis Tromp
Aertsengel Michiel, 40 guns    Willem van Niehoff
Utrecht, 32 guns               Jan Roeteringh
Goes, 40 guns                  Jan Richwijn

Hired ships

Venetia, 28 guns               Jacob Schellinger
Julius Caesar                  Jacob Janszoon Roocher
Jupiter, 28 guns               Cornelis Janszoon
Star, 28 guns                  Hendrick Govertssen
Zwarten Arend, 28 guns         Pieter Teunissen Bonteboer
Sint Pieter                    Pieter van Breen
Witte Olifant                  Sijbrant Janszoon Mol
Salomons Ordeel                Meijndert Theunissen Oosterwout
Rodenhaes                      Adriaen Rodenhaes
Susanna                        Pieter Janssen de Vries
Madonna della Vigna            Harman Sonne

Ships lying off the Island of St. Martin

Hollandia, 32 guns             Evert Anthonissen Marre
Groningen, 40 guns             Abraham van der Hulst
Star, 30 guns                  Jacob Paulussen Cort
Hollandia, 32 guns             Albert de Graeff
Drie Coningen, 36 guns         Lucas Albertssen

At Havre de Grace

Achilles, 28 guns              Dirk Schey

In the Sound

Edam, 28 guns                  Barent Cramer

Lying in the Texel, ready for sea:

Vrede, 44 guns                 Gideon de Wildt
                                (most of the crew as prisoners)
Leeuwarden, 34 guns            Govert Reael
Prins Willem, 28 guns          Jan Boermans
Leiden, 28 guns                Cornelis Hoola
Graaf Willem, 40 guns          Jan Gideonszoon Verburgh
Fazant, 32 guns                Jan Janszoon de Lapper
Zutphen, 28 guns               Ewout Jeroenszoon
Bommel, 30 guns                Pieter van Brakel
Omlandia, 30 guns              Jacob Troucquois
Dolphijn, 32 guns              Gerbrant Schatter
Brack, 18 guns                 Pieter van Zalingen
Hollandsche Tuin, 24 guns      Hillebrandt Jeroenszoon
                                       (ship to be paid off)
Westfriesland, 28 guns         Hendrik Huyskens
Aemelia, 28 guns               Jan ter Stegen, in place of
                                    Willem van der Zaan
Windhond, 18 guns              Dirk Pieterszoon Heertjens

Presumably lying off Amsterdam:

Gelderland, 28 guns            Cornelis van Velsen
Overijssel, 28 guns            Jan van Campen
Vrijheid, 46 guns              The ship of the
                                   late Captain Balck
Campen, 40 guns                The ship of the late
                                   Joris van der Zaan
Zeelandia, 34 guns             Jacob Huyrluyt
Amsterdam, 30 guns             Sijmon van der Aeck
Gouda, 28 guns                 Jan Egbertssen Ooms
Sampson, 26 guns               Hendrick Adriaenszoon

Ships lost

Jaarsveld, 44 guns             Johan van Galen  wrecked in
                                   the Mediterranean
Amsterdam, 30 guns             Barent Dorrevelt foundered off
                                          the Shetlands in storm
Engel Gabriel, 36 guns         Isaac Sweers sunk by gunfire at
                                   the Battle of Portland

Taken by the English

Middleburg, 30 guns            Jeroen Adelaar
Marcus Curtius, 24 guns        Hendrik Kroeger taken
                                         on July 22, 1652
Juffrouw Catarina, 24 guns     Dirk Bogaart  taken on July 22, 1652
Maria, 30 guns                 Claes Sael  taken at the
                                  Battle of the Kentish Knock

Paid off

Engel, 28 guns                 Maten Schaeff
Hoop, 28 guns                  Joris de Caulerij
Goude Leeuw, 24 guns           Gillis Thyssen Campen
Patientia, 24 guns             Adriaan van Loenen
Keyser, 24 guns                Jan ter Stegen
Hoop, 24 guns                  Wolphert van Brederode

This is based on the list published in Vol.IV of The First Dutch War

English Captain: Thomas Hamilton

Thomas Hamilton served in the Restoration navy. In 1666, he was appointed as lieutenant of the Rupert. In 1667, he was lieutenant of the Mary. In 1668, he was captain of the Deptford ketch. In October 1668, Sir Thomas Allin had him take command of the Nightingale. When Nicholas Parker, captain of the Tiger died, Sir Thomas Allin needed to switch captains to fill the various commands. In December 1668, he sat on a courtmartial board for Captain Scott, Sir Thomas Allin's master, who was dismissed from the service for drunkeness on duty. In early 1672, Thomas Hamilton was appointed captain of the Mermaid. Later in 1672, he was appointed as captain of the Constant Warwick. In 1672 and 1673, he was captain of the Mary Rose (48 guns). In August 1672, he was assigned to Sir Edward Spragge's division in the Blue Squadron. the Mary Rose was at the Schooneveld Battles and the Battle of the Texel, although I cannot say for sure that he was still in command. The dates seemed to be jumbled, as Clowes writes that in early February (perhaps an old style date that we would call 1674), he commanded the Constant Warwick (36 guns) in a fight with a Dutch privateer. The Constant Warwick was reduced to near-sinking condition, but the Dutch privateer was driven off from the convoy. On June 18, 1675, the King appointed him as captain of the Margaret galley. On January 11, 1676, the King appointed him to command the Charles Galley. On October 28, 1677, he fought an action, along with the James Galley, against an Algerian pirate commanded by a renegade German. Most of the pirate crew were killed, at the cost of 20 or 30 English casualties. The Commissioners appointed him as captain of the 4th Rate Dragon on March 4, 1682 (they called it 1681, in the old style). Finally, on March 23, 1685 (they called it 1684), the King appointed him to command the Kingfisher. In June, he fought an action against the Earl of Argyle, during the Monmouth and Argyle rebellions after King Charles II died. He took the castle and three small ships, along with a great amount of arms and supplies. He died on May 9, 1687. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.II 1667-1678, 1940.
3. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
4. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
5. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

The Dutch in the Mediterranean Sea from October to December 1652

On October 11, 1652 (these are probably all old style dates), Johan van Galen sailed his fleet from Porto Longone. He left Anthonis van Zalingen with seven ships to continue to blockade Henry Appleton's English squadron at Livorno (Leghorn). Another six ships, under the command of Michiel Franszoon van den Bergh. Michiel Franszoon van den Bergh commanded the Gelderland (40 guns), and served the Admiralty of Rotterdam. Van Galen took his other five ships north, hoping to find English ships heading to Genoa from Newfoundland. He had heard rumours of English ships to the south, and ended up being becalmed there with nothing to show for his efforts. He findly came near Livorno on November 30, but was hit by a storm that drove him south. He only was able to anchor at Livorno on December 14th. When he arrived, he was informed that the English had retaken the Phoenix frigate, which the Dutch had taken at the Battle of Monte Christo. The Phoenix had been under Cornelis Tromp's command. He had been with Van Galen, but had put back into Livorno after taking the English ship Samuel Bonaventure on November 5th. On November 20th, Tromp hosted a party on the Phoenix for Dutch captains. They were all very drunk, and Andries de Boer, captain of the Zeelandis, passed out and was left there to recover. After most left, there were only 40 men left on the ship. The attacking party was led by Owen Cox. They came in three boats, one with Owen Cox, and the others with lieutenants Lyme and Young. They had trouble in the dark, but eventually reached the Phoenix before dawn. In the fight, Cornelis Tromp shot and killed Lieutenant Young, but had to flee by jumping through a stern window. He was rescued by a boat from the Dutch merchantman Groote Dolfijn (captain Boterpot). Cox set sail with the Phoenix, which was pursued by the Roode Haes, a hired ship, and the Zeelandia. The Phoenix had Andries de Boer still aboard as a prisoner. Owen Cox arrived at Naples with the Phoenix on November 30th. That was the day that Anthonis van Zalingen died, leaving Cornelis Tromp as the senior Admiralty of Amstedam officer in the Mediterranean Sea. This is based on the account in R.C. Anderson's article "The First Dutch War in the Mediterranean" from the November 1963 issue of The Mariner's Mirror, supplemented by my unpublished paper "Dutch Ships 1600-1700" (2005).

Reformatting old posts

Since I have turned on the new, instant editing capability, I will be able to conveniently reformat old posts that were done before I understood how blogger worked. I have done a few from the original month (November 2003). As I get the chance, I will work on the others.

English Captain: Benjamin Carterett

Benjamin Carterett served in the Restoration navy. The Duke of York appointed him as lieutenant of the Leopard in 1662. In 1665, he was lieutenant of the Jersey. In 1666, the Duke of York appointed him captain of the 5th Rate Pearl. On February 19, 1667, he distinguished himself in a fight with a Dutch 50-gun ship. He was defending his convoy of colliers from Newcastle to London. the Little Victory came up and assisted, and the Dutch ship was driven off. In 1671, he was lieutenant of the Crown. In 1672, he was First Lieutenant of the 2nd Rate St. George. In 1673, he was First Lieutenant of the 2nd Rate Triumph. He was discharged from the service by the Duke of York. Sources:

1. William Laird Clowes, The Royal Navy: A History from the Earliest Times to the Present, Vol.II, 1898.
2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Thomas Guy

Thomas Guy served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he commanded the 5th Rate Oxford. In 1666, he was appointed to command the 4th Rate Assurance. He fought in the Four Days Battle, where he was assigned to Christopher Myngs' division in the Blue Squadron. Anderson writes that he was assigned to Prince Rupert's detachement that was sent to look for the French during the Four Days' Battle. Later in 1666, Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle appointed him to command the 4th Rate Portsmouth. He commanded the Portsmouth in the St. James's Day Battle, where he was assigned to Sir Joseph Jordan's division in the Red Squadron. In 1670, the Duke of York appointed him to command the Henrietta yacht. In 1672, the Duke of York appointed him to command the 4th Rate Portland (50 guns). He was with the fleet for a time in July 1672. In August, he was assigned to Sir John Kempthorne's division in the Red Squadron. Later in 1672, he was back in command of the Henrietta yacht. Later in 1673, the Duke of York appointed him to command the 2nd Rate St. Michael. Later in 1673, he was back in command of the Henrietta yacht. He fought in the Battle of the Texel, where his ship, the Henrietta yacht, was sunk. On 13 April 1674, the King appointed him to command the Portsmouth yacht. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.II 1667-1678, 1940.
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: Martin Carslake

Martin Carslake served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he commanded the Dutch prize Charles V, then the Montagu, and finally the 2nd Rate Vanguard. In 1669, he commanded the Golden Hand storeship, under Sir Thomas Allin. He had sailed from the Downs to join Sir Thomas Allin off the coast of Spain, where they operated against the Algerian pirates. Martin Carslake was ordered to conduct offensive operations despite commanding a storeship. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.II 1667-1678, 1940.
2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: John Perryman

John Perryman served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he was appointed to command the hired ship Swallow. Frank Fox says that he Swallow was rejected as a warship in January 1665, but was later hired as a watership. The Swallow was also hired in 1666 to carry the Portuguese ambassador's belongings from Rochelle, "under diplomatic pass". In 1667, he commanded the fireship Ostridge. In 1679, he commanded, in turn, the Grafton, Essex, Kent, and Burford. In 1680, he commanded the Exeter and Suffolk. Sources:

1. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Dutch Captain: Dirck Hendrickszoon Vogelsang

Dirck Hendrickszoon Vogelsang served the Amsterdam Directors during the First Anglo-Dutch War. In early 1652, he was Frederick de Coninck's lieutenant on the Groote Vergulde Fortuijn, a large ship that carried 35 guns, early in the war. The ship was 141ft x 31ft x 14-1/2ft with a height between decks of 7ft. He took part in Tromp's voyage to the Shetlands in July-August 1652. His ship survived the storm. In 1653, he commanded the Amsterdam Directors' ship Koning David (28 guns). He took part in the voyage to Norway, under the command of Witte de With, and was drowned, along with his whole crew, when the Koning David sank in the great storm in late October to early November 1653. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Directors' Ship Information 1652-1653", 2004.
3. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.VI, 1930.

English Captain: Charles Royden

Charles Royden served in the Restoration navy. The Duke of York appointed him lieutenant of the Monck in 1664. In 1672, the Duke of York appointed him as First Lieutenant of the Montagu. Later in 1672, Prince Rupert appointed him as captain of the Dunkirk. In 1673, the Duke of York appointed him as First Lieutenant of the Victory. Later in 1673, Prince Rupert appointed him as captain of the Dutch prize Stavoren. The King appointed him as captain of the Dunkirk on 27 December 1673. He was commander-in-chief in the Downs in the fall of 1674. On 12 September 1674, the King appointed him as captain of the Guernsey. Finally, the King appointed him as captain of the Sweepstakes on 5 April 1677. He was dismissed from the service by a courtmartial in 1678. He had been accused of mistreating his lieutenant, George Aylmore. He died in 1687. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.II 1667-1678, 1940.
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.

Tromp's fleet on 22 July 1652

On 22 July 1652, Lambert Pieterszoon left the fleet with his ship leaking a great deal, but without permission. He signaled Jacob Paulussen Cort to tell him the situation. That left Tromp with what he says were 50 ordinary warships (states ships and hired), 46 Directors' ships, 10 fireships, and 3 galjoots.

Tromp's voyage to the Shetlands in July-August 1652

On 15 July 1652, Witte de With had brought his squadron of 8 ships to the fleet. He reported to Tromp that those 8 ships had foul bottoms and were short of crew. Tromp wrote that the strength on 16 July was now 94 warships and 10 fireships. Tromp considered the fireships to be very fragile and likely to suffer storm damage. This is based on the account in Vol.I of The First Dutch War.

The Dutch fleet on June 30, 1652

On June 30, 1652, Jan Evertsen commanded the van squadron and served as Vice-Admiral of the fleet. Pieter Florissen was a temporary Schout-bij-Nacht, and commanded the rear squadron. He flew his flag at the mizzen. Lt-Admiral Tromp was the Admiral, and he commanded the center squadron. In battle, the captains were to gather around the admiral in their squadron. The squadrons were to maintain their order in the fleet. This is based on the account on page 321 of Vol.I of The First Dutch War.

English Captain: Henry Dawes

Henry Dawes served in the Restoration navy. The Duke of York appointed him as captain of the hired ship John and Thomas. He commanded her from 11 February 1665 until 8 June 1666. He fought in the Four Days' Battle, where the John and Thomas was assigned to Sir William Berkeley's division in the White Squadron. Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle appointed him to command the Princess (52 guns) after the Four Days' Battle. He fought in St. James's Day Battle in the Princess, where the Princess was assigned to Sir Robert Holmes's division in the Red Squadron. He was killed in a fight with two Danish warships on 17 May 1667, "between Scan and Malshond". Sources:

1. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
2. Frank Fox, "Hired Men-of-War, 1664-7", Part II, The Mariner's Mirror Vol.84 No.2 (May 1998).
3. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Reynst Corneliszoon Sevenhuysen's ships

I have decided that my previous view of Reynst Corneliszoon Sevenhuysen was mistaken. I had assumed that the Rode Leeuw and the Profeet Samuel were different names for the same ship. We knew that he commanded the hired ship Rode Leeuw in 1652. We know that ship was paid off at some date. The Rode Leeuw seems to have carried 24 guns and had a crew of 85 men. At the Battle of the Gabbard, he apparently commanded the Profeet Samuel, another hired ship. That ship was apparently damaged sufficiently in the Battle of the Gabbard, in June 1653, that he was ordered to move his crew to the VOC ship Mars, and take command. He most likely commanded the Mars on the voyage to Norway with Witte de With's fleet sent to convoy returning VOC ships home. By July 1654, Reynst Corneliszoon Sevenhuysen commanded the newly built Alkmaar (32 guns).

Two Rotterdam Directors' ships in 1652

We do not know their names, but we know that by early June 1652, Sijmon Corneliszoon's ship had been sunk by gunfire, and that Adriaan de Zeeuw's ship was lying in the Meuse, after being damaged in an action against English ships. Both were Directors' ships from Rotterdam. As of now, we do not know the ships' names. They are mentioned in both the June 1652 list and in Hendrick de Raedt's pamphlet that listed the fleet that went to the Shetlands in July and August 1652.

Dutch Captain: Jan Janszoon Bout

This is my translation of a piece by Mr. Carl Stapel:

Jan Janszoon Bout

Admiralty of Amsterdam

1671  Promoted to commandeur


1671  Summer.   In De Ruyter's fleet at Schooneveld as commandeur of 
                the fireship Sollenburgh (20 guns)

1672  7 June.   In the Battle of Solebay, he commanded the fireship Sollenburgh
                which was expended in the battle          

      23 June.  He is commander of the fireship Salamander 
                and was assigned to Isaac Sweers' squadron

      August.   He is now commander of the fireship Draak 

      September He is commandeur of the fireship Draak

1673  May.      He is commander of the fireship Salamander

1675  July      In De Ruyter's fleet in the Mediterranean Sea 
                as commander of the fireship Sint Salvador (6 guns)
                in the squadron of Vice-Admiral Jan de Haen

      8 January He fought in the Battle of Stromboli
      22 April  He fought in the Battle of Etna
      1 juni    He fought in the Battle of Palermo as commander 
                of the fireship St Salvador   

1677  18 March  He carried the large admiral's flag at the burial 
                of Michiel De Ruyter

1688  29 October to 19 November 
                In the fleet that took Willem III to England, he was
                commander of the frigate Postiljon (built in 1666–24 guns/crew 100)                                                          

English Captain: James Storey

James Storey served in the Restoration navy. He was appointed lieutenant of the Dreadnought in 1665. In 1667, he was promoted to captain of the Dreadnought. In 1672, he was appointed captain of the old 2nd Rate Rainbow (56 guns). He fought in the Battle of Solebay, where he was assigned to Sir John Harman's division in the Red Squadron. In August, Sir John Kempthorne commanded that previously commanded by Sir John Harman. James Storey, in the Rainbow, was now under his command. In 1673, he became captain of the Old James. He distinguished himself in the First Schooneveld Battle, probably in Prince Rupert's division. On 23 April 1675, the King appointed him as captain of the Portsmouth. The King appointed him as captain of the York on 6 December 1678. The commissioners appointed him as captain of the 4th Rate Diamond on 27 March 1680. On 15 May, he was moved to the Antelope as captain. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

I have a new book: De Strijd in het Engelsche Kanaal anno 1639

I recently received a copy of a book recommended by Mr. Carl Stapel. It is a based on a book originally published in the 17th Century. The author was Dom Francisco Manuel de Melo. Dr. M. de Jong has apparently translated and edited the book. It is called De Strijd in het Engelsche Kanaal, tusschen de Spaansche en Hollandschen wapenen, anno 1639 uit het Portugeesche vertaald door Dr. M. de Jong (The Fight in the English Channel, between the Spanish and Dutch Arms, anno 1639, translated from the Portuguese by Dr. M. de Jong).

English Captain: Henry Millett

Henry Millet served in the Restoration navy. In 1660, the Duke of York appointed him as lieutenant of the Leopard. In 1662, he was lieutenant of the Centurion. The Duke of York then appointed him as lieutenant of the Dutch prize Mathias in 1664. In 1666, Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle appointed him as captain of the Mathias (54 guns). He fought in the St. James's Day Battle. In 1667, the Duke of York appointed him as captain of the Society. In 1669, the Duke of York appointed him as lieutenant of the Hampshire. Sir Thomas Allin reported in December 1669, the Henry Millet, captain of the Rose, ran away. He later said that he had taken storm damage and had decided to go to Port Mahon (Minorca) to repair, although without orders. Sir Thomas Allin reported that in November, they had taken an Algerian pirate ship (6 guns) with a gilt rose on the stern, and they had put Henry Millet in command. Henry Millet died sometime before 1688. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, The Journals of Sir Thomas Allin, Vol.II 1667-1678, 1940.
2. Frank Fox, A Distant Storm: the Four Days' Battle of 1666, 1996.
3. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
4. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

English Captain: Phineas Pett

Phineas Pett served in the Restoration navy. In 1661, the Duke of York appointed him as captain of the 6th Rate Truelove. Later in 1661, he was appointed to command the 6th Rate Bramble. In 1663, the Duke of York appointed him to command the yacht Henrietta. He was reappointed in 1664. In 1665, he was appointed as captain of the yacht Katherine. Later in 1665, he was appointed as captain of the 4th Rate Tiger. At the time of the Battle of Lowestoft, he was at Portsmouth. He was killed in action with Dutch warships on 2 May 1666. 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 Captain: John Turner

John Turner served in the Restoration navy. Andrew says that he lived from 1645 to 1672. We know that he died on 16 July 1672. The Duke of York appointed him as lieutenant of the Dragon in 1665. In 1666, the Duke of York appointed him as lieutenant of the Mary Rose. Later in 1666, Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle appointed him as captain of the 4th Rate Expedition. In 1667, he commanded the Abraham and Sarah. In 1671, the Duke of York appointed him to command the Tiger. Corbett says tht he commanded the Tiger at Solebay. He was assigned to Sir Joseph Jordan's division in the Blue Squadron. The Duke of York appointed him to command the 3rd Rate York in 1672, apparently after Solebay. He died, as mentioned on 11 July 1672, while 27 years old. He was a very young captain. He had fought in the Battle of Solebay, so perhaps he had been wounded. 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. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.

Dutch Captain: Isaac Antheuniszoon van Anten

Isaac Antheuniszoon van Anten served the Admiralty of the Maze. He commanded the adviesjacht Hoop (6 guns) through the Third Anglo-Dutch War. He seems to have been absent from the Battle of Solebay in June 1672. He fought in the Battle of the Texel on 21 August 1673, where he was assigned to Jan de Liefde's division. He commanded the transport Blauwen Arend in June 1674, in De Ruyter's expedition to Martinique. Andrew says that Isaac Antheuniszoon Anten served in the Danish navy from 1676 until 1678, when he returned to the Dutch service. In 1676, he was second captain of the ship Christianus Quintus (86 guns, 270 men). The Christianus Quintus was Cornelis Tromp's flagship. He fought in the Battle of Oland in June 1676. In 1677 he was appointed the captain of the ship Svanen (62 guns). He fought in the Battle of Kjöge Bay on 1 July 1677. This latter part is an edited version of the communication from Andrew. Sources:

1. R. C. Anderson, Journals and Narratives of the Third Dutch War, 1946.
2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
3. J. R. Bruijn, De Oorlogvoering ter zee in 1673 in Journalen en Andere Stukken, 1966.
4. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687.
5. Personal communication from Andrew.

A note about the Battle of Dungeness

I was looking at the list of captains from the transcription and translation of Jan (Johan) Evertsen's journal at the time of the Battle of Dungeness. This is published in The First Dutch War, Vol.III. I also have a copy of the handwritten Dutch from which it came. The published list has a list of captains run together, with grouping by squadron. The last entry in Tromp's squadron has Lambrecht Pietersen in the published version, followed by lieutenant. I looked at the handwritten Dutch and I believe that it was meant to convey that Lambert Pieterszoon's lieutenant was commanding the ship, the Nassouw (34 guns), an Amsterdam Directors' ship. The specifications for that ship are at KentishKnock.com, along with other Directors' ships.

English Captain: Rowland Stepney

Rowland Stepney served in the Restoration navy. In 1665, he was appointed as lieutenant on the 2nd Rate Rainbow. In 1668, he was lieutenant on the Monck. In 1669, he was appointed as lieutenant on the Bristol. In 1671, he served as lieutenant on the Dover. He was appointed as captain of the Drake in 1672. Later in 1672, he commanded the Lily sloop. He died prior to 1689. Sources:

1. David Syrett, R. L. DiNardo, The Commissioned Sea Officers of the Royal Navy 1660-1815, 1994.
2. J.R. Tanner, A Descriptive Catalogue of the Naval Manuscripts in the Pepysian Library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, Vol.I, 1903.