Harmen Walman served the Amsterdam Directors. In June 1653, he commanded the ship
Hollandsche Tuin (32 guns), a fluit. Apparently, the day after the Battle of Scheveningen ended, his ship was towed mastless to the Texel. In September, he was cleared by a courtmartial of misconduct during the battle (one of six so cleared). His ship was one those mentioned by Witte de With on 11 August 1653 as having run from the battle. There is some confusion, as another letter mentions Joris Block as the captain of the
Hollandsche Tuin on 12 August. Dr. Elias is the one who says it was Harmen Walman. We believe that we know the specifications of the
Hollandsche Tuin:
Hollandsche Tuin
Amsterdam Directors
Hired circa 28 January 1653
Dimensions: 130ft x 29ft x 13-1/2ft
Height between decks: 6-3/4ft
32 guns: 4-18pdr, 10-12pdr, 8-8pdr, 8-6pdr, and 2-3pdr
Sources:
- C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
- C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
- James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Directors' Ship Information 1652-1653", 2004.
- Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.V, 1928.
