In September 1653, Egbert Meeuwssen Kortenaer was an acting flag officer

Egbert Meeuwssen Kortenaer had been stuurman of the Brederode in 1652. He eventually became Tromp's flag captain, when Abel Roelantsz was elevated to temporary flag officer. By September 1653, Egbert Meeuwssen Kortenaer was a temporary flag officer, himself, and squadron commander. He flew his flag on the Brederode. He and his squadron joined Witte de With's fleet on Saturday, 25 October 1653. He had a squadron of about 16 ships under his command, and had three merchant ships in company. They had sailed from the Texel on 12 October. De Ruyter indicated in his journal that the fleet had now grown to 76 ships and there were about 4oo merchant ships and five East Indiamen. By early 1654, the politicians had appointed Jacob van Wassenaer as the new fleet commander, as an unhappy compromise, and as a crutch for van Wassenaer, Egbert Meeuwssen Kortenaer was appointed has his flag captain on the new fleet flagship, the Eendracht (58 guns). He was eventually raised back to flag rank. His career had been marked by a slow advancement. In 1626, he was a constable. By 1636, he was a stuurman. In 1652, he was an opper-stuurman. By 10 April 1653, he was a captain. He jumped to Vice Admiraly on 8 May 1659, and Lieutenant-Admiral by 29 January 1665. Sources:

1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930
2. Luc Eekhout, Het Admiralenboek: De Vlagofficieren van de Nederlandse marine 1382-1991, 1992
3. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.V, 1928
4. Michael S. Robinson, Van de Velde Paintings, Vol.I, 1990