Dutch Captain: Cornelis van Houtten

In 1645, Cornelis van Houtten served the Admiralty of the Maze. He commanded the ship Gekroonde Liefde (33 guns) in Witte de With's fleet that forced a large convoy of merchant ships into the Baltic without paying the toll to the Danes. In 1652, he served the Amsterdam Directors. When the Witte Lam (28 guns) was hired, presumably on 12 March 1652, he was assigned as captain. His lieutenant was Jan Janszoon van Ridderstraet. He was with the fleet in the summer and sailed with Tromp to the Shetlands in July and August 1652. He fought in the Battle of the Kentish Knock in October. His ship lost its bowsprit in the battle. We don't see him mentioned after the battle. Sources:

1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Directors' Ship Information 1652-1653", 2004.
2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
3. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1925.