We know absolutely for sure, the captain and stierman of the Brederode on 14 June 1652

There is a letter signed by the more senior sailors on board the Brederode on 14 June 1652. Abel Roelants was captain and Egbert Meeuwssen Kortenaer was the stierman. Since Tromp was involved in a battle that started a war, the fight on 29 May 1652 off Dover, he felt the need to justify his actions in that battle. De Jonge reproduces the letter written by Tromp, and then the letter written by his officers and senior enlisted men on the Brederode at that date. The letter was signed on 14 June 1652. Carl Stapel found that Abel Roelants complete name was Abel Roelantszoon Verboom. In the archive of notary entries for Rotterdam, Carl found that Abel Roelantszoon Verboom had been trumpeter on Tromp's ship (the Aemilia) in 1636. Abel Roelantszoon Verboom was born in Den Haag (the Hague).