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Saturday, December 31, 2005

Dutch Captain: Teunis Vechterszoon

Teunis Vechterszoon (or is his name Sijmon Vechterszoon?) served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. Sometimes, his last name was spelled Veghterszoon. During 1652, he commanded a small hired ship, of which we do not know the name. Dr. Ballhausen had suggested that the name was the Scheletje, but I believe that is a misreading of the source. His ship had a crew of 70 men, so we would suppose that the ship's armament was 24 guns. He served with the fleet in June 1652. While Hendrik de Raedt's pamphlet omits mention of him, he seems to have made the voyage to the Shetlands, as he attended the council of war on the Brederode on 6 August 1652, following the storm. He joined Witte de With's fleet on 29 September 1652, so he likely fought in the Battle of the Kentish Knock. He also was with Tromp's fleet at the Battle of Dungeness. He disappears from the published literature that I have after that date. Apparently, his journal from 1652 survived, at least until about 1925. I have started the process to attempt to acquire a copy. Dr. Elias refers to him as Symon Veghterszoon, but I believe it is the same man. Sources:
  1. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.
  2. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
  3. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.
  4. Dr. S. R. Gardiner, and C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.III, 1906.
  5. Hendrik de Raedt, Lyste van de schepen van Oorloge onder het beleyt Admirael Marten Harpersz. Tromp, 1652.

Friday, December 30, 2005

I am hoping to find two journals from 1652

Dr. Elias references quite a few journals in Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons zeewezen. I have inquired to the Nationaal Archief to see what could be done about acquiring copies of journals for H. E. de Bertry and Symon Veghterszoon. The latter, we do not know the name of his ship.

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Dutch Captain: Abaham Hendrickszoon van Campen

Abraham Hendrickszoon van Campen served the Amsterdam Directors. He took command of the Arke Troijane in March 1652, when the Directors hired the ship. The Arke Troijane was a 28-gun ship with a crew of 100-106 men. The ship carried 28 guns, consisting of 12-12pdr, 8-8pdr, 6-6pdr, and 2-3pdr. The ship's dimensions were 116ft x 26-3/4ft x 12ft. The height between decks was 6-1/4ft. Abraham van Campen and his ship were with Tromp's fleet in May 1652 and fought in the Battle off Dover on 29 May 1652. His ship was one of those which had lost anchors, chains, cables in the storm prior to the battle. The majority of Tromp's fleet of 42 ships were Directors' ships from Amsterdam and Zeeland. He continued with the main fleet into June and made the voyage to the Shetlands in July and August 1652. In late August and September, he was with Witte de With, sailing from the Zeeland shallows in mid-September. His ship lost its bowsprit in a collision with Allert Janszoon's ship (the Dubbele Arend) on 25 September. He arrived at Goeree on 18 October, in company with 6 other ships. On 2 December 1652, he was with Witte de With's squadron with Tromp's fleet in the operations that led up to the Battle of Dungeness on 10 December. Abraham van Campen fought in the Battle of Portland and was killed in fighting on the first day, 28 February 1653, and his ship was sunk. Sources:
  1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
  2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Directors Ship Information", 2004.
  3. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol.III, 1925.
  4. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
  5. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Battle on 16 May 1654 inside the mouth of the Dardanelles

Andrew pointed out this page from the Wikipedia about a fight on 16 May 1654 at the Dardanelles: "This battle, which took place on 16 May 1654, was the first of a series of tough battles just inside the mouth of the Dardanelles Straits, as Venice and sometimes the other Christian forces attempted to hold the Turks back from their invasion of Crete by attacking them early."

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Dutch Captain: Cornelis de Bagijn

Cornelis de Bagijn served the Admiralty of the Maze (Rotterdam). He was born about 1573. He was promoted to captain in 1621. He commanded the ship Leeuwinne, a vessel of 180 lasts with a crew of 90 men, at least from 1626 until 1627. There is a note that in November 1626, he commanded the ship Geunieerde Nederlanden. The ship lay for 8 days at Hellevoetsluis, taking on victuals. In 1626, his ship was lying in the Goeree Gat. He was executed for cowardice in the face of the enemy on 26 November 1627. He had given up his ship to the Dunkirkers without a fight. Many of his crew were sold as slaves, but he was released. The Staet van Oorlog te Water for 1628 listed him, but he was already dead. One version of the list gave his ship as the Leeuw, a vessel of 24 guns with a crew of 90 men. In that list, the ship was said to be 150 lasts. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Cornelis Cornelisz de Bagijn", 2005.

Monday, December 26, 2005

Dutch Captain: Ruth Jacobszoon Buys

Ruth Jacobszoon Buys served the Rotterdam Directors during the First Anglo-Dutch War. He commanded a 26-gun ship with a crew of 105 men. We still have not discovered the name of his ship. He was with Tromp's fleet in June 1652, and took part in the voyage to the Shetlands in July and August. In August, he was in Witte de With's squadron. He probably fought in the Battle of the Kentish Knock. He also took part in the Battle of Dungness on 10 December 1652 (New Style). He also seems to have been with Witte de With's fleet that sailed to Norway in October 1653 and returned late, into the face of a storm where many ships were lost or damaged. Sources:
  1. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
  2. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.
  3. Hendrik de Raedt, Lyste van de schepen van Oorloge onder het beleyt Admirael Marten Harpersz. Tromp, 1652.

Andrew pointed out this page about a battle in 1649

Andrew sent me an email that pointed out this battle in 1649. The Wikipedia has the page:
The naval Battle of Focchies took place on 12 May 1649, during the Cretan Wars, at Focchies, near Izmir (Smyrna) in western Turkey, when a Venetian fleet of 19 ships, under Giacomo Riva, defeated a Turkish fleet of 11 ships, 10 galleasses (mahons) and 72 galleys.
Many of the Dutch ships listed later served in the First Anglo-Dutch War, in the Mediterranean Sea (for example, the Profeet Samuel and Madonna della Vigna).

Sunday, December 25, 2005

We are experimenting with concept maps

Concept Maps seem like a good way to represent knowledge about ships, captains, and battles. We have been experimenting with them and Mind Maps (look at FreeMind). This is an example of what a concept map might look like, which shows my first attempt at representing ships, captains, and admiralties. Mind Maps seem well-adapted to structuring information for a book, as ultimately, the result needs to be linear. Concept maps seem more adapted to knowledge representation.

Start of a concept map to show information about ships and captains.

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Dutch Captain: Sybert Vijgh

Sybert Vijgh served the Admiralty of Rotterdam (0r the Maze). In 1628, he commanded a small vessel with a crew of 30 men. In 1636, he commanded the Zeekalf, which had been built in 1622. The Zeekalf was a vessel of 200 lasts armed with 4 brass and 20 iron guns. The crew consisted of 90 sailors and 20 soldiers. On 13 March 1639, he was with Witte de With's squadron, which included Witte de With, Willem van Colster, Sijbert Vijgh, Willem van Brederode, Captain Halffhoorn, Captain Keert te Koe, Claes Ham, and Govert Voorns. In August, Willem van Colster complained that Sybert Vijgh had taken a flyboat but had not brought the ship to him, as he was Vijgh's commander. Charles Boxers says that he was in Tromp's squadron at the Battle of the Downs. Carl Stapel says that he was buried in January 12th 1642, so that in October 1642, it could not have been Sybert Vijgh who was in the Downs with Captain Forant. It must have been his son Dirk, who fought in the First Anglo-Dutch War. Sources:
  1. Dr. M.G. De Boer, De Proefjaar van Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp 1637-1639, 1946.
  2. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Duinkerkers, 1949.
  3. Charles R. Boxer, The Journal of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp Anno 1639, 1930.
  4. Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, 1938.

Friday, December 23, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jan Theuniszoon Sluys

Jan Theuniszoon Sluys served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He took command of the Walcheren (30 guns, a crew of 90 sailors and 20 soldiers) in April 1637, replacing Pieter Meeuszoon Vloo. The Walcheren was a vessel of 200 lasts. He was a captain of the Amsterdam admiralty, where he presumably only served from April 1637 until 25 August 1645, when we learn that he had died. He fought in all the battles in the autumn of 1639, and in the last battle, had the honour to bring in the first prize. From Blauhulck, we learn that he had the nickname of Boer Jaep, a name that we would otherwise only associate with the Van Nes family, which can cause confusion. Sources:
  1. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Armada van 1639, 1941.
  2. Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, 1938.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Dutch Captain: Barent Hendrickszoon Schaeff

Barent Hendrickszoon Schaeff served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. We know that he commanded the Vergulde Raven with Mooy Lambert's fleet that was in the Mediterranean Sea from May 1618 to February 1619. the Vergulde Raven was a vessel of 150 lasts. In 1619, he commanded the Zutphen, a vessel of 200 lasts. From May 1619 until October 1620, he was with Mooy Lambert's fleet in the Mediterranean Sea to fight the North African pirates. On 17 November 1627, he commanded a small vessel with a crew of 30 men. The size of the crew is the only thing we know about the ship. Sources:
  1. Staten Generaal "1 01 06", inventory number 12561-56", Amsterdam Admiralty ship list, 1628.
  2. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  3. Carl Stapel, personal communication "moy lambert mei 1618 - till february 1619", 2005.
  4. Carl Stapel, personal communication "moy lambert's fleet mei 1619-oktober 1620", 2005.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Dutch Captain: Carsten Pieterszoon Rosegaerdt

Carsten Pieterszoon Rosegaerdt served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In September 1617, he commanded the ship Vriesland, which had a crew of 82 men. It is likely that the Vriesland was a vessel of 140 or 150 lasts. In December 1628, the Vriesland carried 2-chambered 12pdr, 4-12pdr, 10-8pdr, 6-5pdr, and 6-steenstukken. Carsten Rosegaerdt was with Hillebrandt Quast's fleet sent to fight pirates in the Mediterranean Sea from September 1617 until May 1618. In 1628, he commanded the ship Tonijn, a vessel of 140 lasts which had a crew of 100 men. We know that the Tonijn was built in 1614 and was a vessel of 150 lasts (or, perhaps, just 140 lasts). In 1621, the Tonijn carried 24 guns and had a crew of 103 men. In September 1627, the Tonijn carried 2-18pdr, 4-12pdr, 4-8pdr, 8-5pdr, and 6-steenstukken. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  2. Carl Stapel, personal communication "Moy Lambert 1616 en Hillebrant Quast 1618", 2005.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Dutch Captain or Skipper: Adriaan Dommertszoon

Adriaan Dommertszoon (or is it Dommaszoon?) served during the campaign leading up to the Battle of the Downs in 1639. In September 1639, he was assigned to Witte de With's squadron. Adriaan Dommertszoon commanded the ship Sint Laurens (32 guns and a crew of 90 men). Charles Boxer indicates that he was among a group of captains from the WIC and the VOC. Dr. De Boer calls him Adriaan Dommertszoon, while Charles Boxer calls him Adriaan Dommaszoon. Tromp's Journal says that Adriaan "Domens" ship was hired at Amsterdam and carried 32 guns. The crew was 87 men. Amazingly enough, we know the dimensions of the ship in Amsterdam feet: 137ft x 29ft x 14ft. Adriaan Dommertszoon was operating with Tromp's fleet near the south coast of England from June through September 1639. He was still in Witte de With's squadron during the fight on 16 September, demonstrating that "Domens" and Dommertszoon are one in the same. He seems to have been with Witte de With's squadron of 30 ships at the Battle of the Downs, although I cannot definitely confirm that. Sources:
  1. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Armada van 1639, 1941.
  2. Charles R. Boxer, The Journal of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp Anno 1639, 1930.

The Sint Pieter in the summer and fall of 1652

Sijmon Corneliszoon van der Meer apparently commmanded the Rotterdam Directors' ship Sint Pieter (28 guns and a crew of 122 men) after his ship, the Prins, was sunk by English frigates in the Channel in June 1652. When Sijmon van der Meer's health had deteriorated, his lieutenant Jan Janszoon van der Valck took command. By 13 August, Lieutenant van der Valck was in command, and was still in command in October.

Monday, December 19, 2005

Dutch Captain: Dirk Jasperszoon Cleynsorger

Dirk Jasperszoon Cleynsorger (or Cleysorgh) served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. We know that in Novembe 1619, he was in the Mediterranean Sea, with a fleet, operating against Algerian pirates. He commanded the ship Leiden (Leyden) with Mooy Lambert's fleet that was operating in the Mediterranean Sea from May 1619 until October 1620. The Leiden was a vessel of 150 lasts. This is the only period that I have seen him mentioned. Sources:
  1. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.I, 1858.
  2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "moy lambert's fleet mei 1619-oktober 1620", 2005.

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jan Pellicoren

Jan Pellicoren served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He was with Hillebrandt Quast's fleet sent to the Mediterranean Sea to fight pirates from September 1617 until May 1618 He commanded the ship Hollandt, a vessel of 300 lasts with a crew of 130 sailors. He commanded the ship Zeelandia in Mooy Lambert's fleet sent to the Mediterranean sea to fight pirates from May 1619 until October 1620. The Zeelandia was a vessel of 280 lasts. He commanded a small vessel in March 1627 with a crew of 46 sailors. He was still commanding an unknown ship in 1628. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  2. Carl Stapel, personal communication "Moy Lambert 1616 en Hillebrant Quast 1618", 2005.
  3. Carl Stapel, personal communication, "moy lambert's fleet mei 1619-oktober 1620", 2005.

Saturday, December 17, 2005

Jan van Diemen's ship in 1631

In 1631, Jan van Diemen commanded the Rotterdam ship Eendracht. This was a vessel of 170 lasts. A ship of that size might have dimensions of 118ft x 28ft x 11.5ft. In all likelihood, the proportions would have been different. The Eendracht had been built in 1624. Her armament consisted of 2-chambered brass 24pdr, 2-half cartouwen 18pdr, 2-brass 12pdr, 2-iron 12pdr, 2-iron 10pdr, 10-iron 8pdr, and 6-iron 4 pdr. The Eendracht's crew consisted of 85 sailors. This is based on information from the Staet van Oorlog te Water for the year 1631.

Friday, December 16, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jacob Volckertszoon Vinck (or Vink)

Jacob Volkertszoon Vinck (or Vink) served the Admiralty of the Maze. He lived until 1631. He was promoted to captain in 1621. Andrew found a great page that includes a listing about Jan Jacobsen, talking about an epic fight in 1622, in which Jacob Vinck distinguished himself, while fighting Dunkirkers. This was when, under Mooy Lambert (Lambert Hendrikszoon), he fought against 3 Dunkirkers, where the Dunkirk admiral was caught. In 1623, he distinguished himself, under Josias de Moor, against the Dunkirkers by the Sorlings. In 1625, he served under Haultain at Rochelle. In 1627, he served under Van Dorp in the blockade service for Dunkirk. We know that in 1628 and 1629, he commanded the ship Utrecht, a vessel of 150 lasts. The Utrecht had a crew of 80 men and carried 30 guns (including 2-18pdr, 4-12pdr, 10-8pdr, 6-5pdr, 2-4pdr, and 6-steenstukken). In 1629, he served under Piet Hein against Dunkirkers and captured one. In 1631, he distinguished himself in a fight against 3 Dunkirkers, but stranded near Vlissingen, and drowned. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  2. J. C. Mollema, De Eere Rol, from Geschiedenis van Nederland ter Zee, Vol.II, 1940.
  3. Rick Vermunt, page from the Isle of Tortuga website, uncertain date, circa 2004.

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Dutch Captain: Pieter Meuszoon Vloo

Mollema says that Pieter Meuszoon Vloo served the Admiralty of the Maze, and was promoted to captain in 1626. In 1626, he hunted two Dunkirkers along the shore. In 1627, he served in the blockade of Dunkirk under Van Dorp. Earlier in 1628, he seems to have commanded a larger ship, the Campen, a vessel of 140 lasts. In March 1628, he commanded the Leiden, a vessel of 110 lasts armed with 4-chambered 12pdr, 4-12pdr, 8-8pdr, and 4-5pdr. Her crew consisted of 70 sailors and 30 soldiers. He still commanded the Leiden in 1629. In 1629, he took part in the attempt to block Dunkirk with ships to be sunk. He took a Dunkirker near Terschelling. In 1631, he took a Dunkirker and was awarded a golden chain for his distinguished service. Dr. Graefe wrote that in 1636, Pieter Vloo served the Admiralty of the Maze and commanded the ship Walcheren (30 guns), a vessel of 200 lasts. In 1638, he distinguished himself again, under Tromp against the Dunkirkers. In 1639, he distinguished himself in the Battle of the Downs. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  2. Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, 1938.
  3. J. C. Mollema, De Eere Rol, from Geschiedenis van Nederland ter Zee, Vol.II, 1940.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Dutch Captain: Adriaen Gerritszoon Bras

Adriaan Gerritszoon Bras served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He fought in the Battle of Gibralter, under Heemskerck, where he commanded the ship Stad Hoorn. From May 1618 until February 1619, he served under Moy Lambert (Lambert Hendrickszoon) in the Mediterranean where they were to operate against the North African pirates. Sadly, Captain Bras is not mentioned by either Mollema or De Jonge. Sources:
  1. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "moy lambert mei 1618 - till february 1619", 2005.
  2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Vlootlijst Gribaltar 25 april 1607", 2005.
On 16 February 1636, Jan Evertsen’s ship lay at anchor in the Downs. With him were captains Joost Bankert, Vlieger, and Adriaan Janszoon den Oven. A fifth ship, under Pieter Ita, cruised near the Flemish banks. There was a report that Jacques Collaert had come, concerned about Ita, and Evertsen’s ship raised anchor to support Ita. On the 18th, Evertsen and his captains fought with Collaert and his Vice-Admiral Mattheus Rombout, and at the end, Collaert’s and Rombout’s ships were brought to a sinking condition. With 48 dead and 50 wounded, Evertsen arrived back at Vlissingen on 27 February. This is based on the account in Doeke Roos's book Twee Eeuwen Varen en Vechten 1550-1750 (2003).

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Dutch Captain: Adriaan Engelen Silvergieter

Adriaan Engelen Silvergieter served the Admiralty of the Maze (Rotterdam). His brother was Cornelis Engelen Silvergieter. Cornelis took part in the campaign leading up to the Battle of the Downs in 1639, but Adriaan must have been already gone. From September 1625 until January 1626, Adriaan was with joint English-Dutch fleet sent to the Mediterranean Sea to fight Spain. We do know that Adriaan still commanded the ship Neptunis in 1629, and we know some of her specifications. This was a ship built in 1614, a vessel of 140 lasts. The Neptunis had a crew of 80 men and carried 2-chambered 24pdr, 2-12pdr, 2-chambered 12pdr, 2-5pdr drakes, 13-4pdr, and 6-steenstukken (27 guns, if you are willing to count steenstukken, which Jan Glete says were swivels. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  2. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Eerste Engels-Nederlandse vloot expeditie tegen Spanje sept 1625 – jan 1626", 2005.

Monday, December 12, 2005

Dutch Captain: Pieter Aldertszoon

Pieter Aldertszoon served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. Dr. Ballhausen says that the ship he commanded was the Burcht (24 guns and a crew of 100 men). According to Dr. Ballhausen, he fought in the Battle off Dover on 29 May 1652. He was with the fleet in June and took part in the voyage to the Shetlands in July and August. He seems to have been absent from the Battle of the Kentish Knock. He did fight in the Battle of Dungeness in December. He also fought in the Battle of Portland and was reported killed in the battle. Sources:
  1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
  2. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.
  3. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  4. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de Geschiedenis van ons Zeewezen, Vol.IV, 1927.
  5. Hendrik de Raedt, Lyste van de schepen van Oorloge onder het beleyt Admirael Marten Harpersz. Tromp, 1652.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Dutch Captain: Anthonis van der Haept

Anthonis (or Anthony) van der Haept served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. In April 1627, in 1628 and 1629, he commanded the large ship Thetis, a vessel of 250 lasts. Example dimensions for a ship of 250 lasts would be 128ft x 31.5ft x 13.5ft, although I expect that the Thetis had different proportions than these. The Thetis had a crew of 100 to 106 men and carried 34 guns, if you count steenstukken. The guns consisted of 2-24pdr, 2-18pdr, 2-chambered 18pdr, 12-12pdr, 10-8pdr, and 6-steenstukken. Carl Stapel credits the Thetis with 36 guns, including steenstukken, apparently. In August 1635, Anthonis van der Haept was part of two squadrons of ships under the command of Willem Codde van der Burch and Vice-Admiral Quast when they were operating against the Dunkirker admiral Colaert and his fleet, and fought an action against Coleart. Sadly, that is the extent of information that I have from my sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  2. Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, 1938.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Dutch Captain: Bastiaan Bardoel

Bastiaan Bardoel served the Amsterdam Directors. When the Directors hired ships in March 1652, Bastiaan Bardoel was appointed to command the Engel Gabriel (28 guns). The Engel Gabriel had dimensions 124ft x 28.5ft x 13.5ft, and had a height between decks of 6-3/4ft. The guns carried were 4-brass 12pdr belonging to the state, 8-12pdr, 8-8pdr, 6-6pdr, and 2-3pdr. Early in 1652, he lieutenant was Cornelis Corneliszoon Joll. According to Dr. Ballhausen, he fought in the Battle off Dover on 29 May 1652. He was with the fleet in the summer of 1652 and he was on the voyage to the Shetlands in July and August. The last we hear of him was in December 1652, when he was with a squadron operating against smugglers in the Baltic. The Baltic Squadron included Admiralty of Amsterdam captsins Barent Cramer, Pieter van Zalingen, Gerbrand Schatter, Hendrik Huyskens, and "Lieutenant van Lapper" (Jan de Lapper?), and Amsterdam Directors captains Cornelis Janszoon Brouwer, Gerrit Schuyt (still in the Roseboom), Bastiaan Bardoel, and Dirck Pater. Sources:
  1. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.
  2. Dr. S. R. Gardiner, and C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.III, 1906.
  3. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Directors Ship Information", 2004.
  4. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  5. Hendrik de Raedt, Lyste van de schepen van Oorloge onder het beleyt Admirael Marten Harpersz. Tromp, 1652.

Friday, December 09, 2005

Dutch Captain: Cornelis Rocuszoon Teincen (or Feincen)

Cornelis Rocuszoon Teincen served the Zierikzee Directors. Dr. Ballhausen says that Cornelis Teincen commanded the ship Liefde (34 guns and a crew of 110 men). We know that he served with the fleet in the summer of 1652, at least from June, and was on the voyage to the Shetlands in July and August. He also fought in the Battle of Dungeness on 10 December 1652, as well. Dr. Ballhausen says that he fought in the Battle of Portland (the Three Days Battle). Sources:
  1. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.
  2. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.
  3. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.
  4. Dr. S. R. Gardiner, and C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.III, 1906.
  5. Hendrik de Raedt, Lyste van de schepen van Oorloge onder het beleyt Admirael Marten Harpersz. Tromp, 1652.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Dutch Captain: Abraham Verleth

Abraham Verleth commanded a newly built ship, the Walvisch (30 guns and a crew of 110 men). He apparently fought in the Battle of the Gabbard and the Battle of Scheveningen. The only published source that mentions him is Vol.V of Dr. Elias's book, Schetsen. The Walvisch was an Amsterdam Directors' ship. Witte de With's journal from August 1653 would seem to be a good source of information from this period, if we could obtain a copy. We also are pretty certain that the Walvisch was not in service in April or earlier, based on records of Amsterdam Directors' ship from January through April 1653. After the Battle of Scheveningen, the Walvisch was one of those ships that Witte de With accused of running from the battle. Sources:
  1. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
  2. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.V, 1928.

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Dutch Captain: Paulus van den Kerckhoff

Paulus van den Kerckhoff was born about 1616 and died in May 1658. He served the Admiralty of the Maze. His father was Jan Janszoon van de Kerckhof and his brother was Quirijn van den Kerckhoff. Paulus commanded the Nijmegen (26 guns), a purchased ship formerly named Kasteel van Medemblik. On the voyage back from Brazil in June 1652, his ship was sunk. After that, he was given command of the ship Gulden Dolphijn (eventually, 32 guns). Paulus fought in the Battle of Dungeness in December 1652 and then fought at the Battle of Portland from 28 February until 2 March 1653. His brother was said to have been killed in that battle, but he seems to have survived. He probably fought in the Battle of the Gabbard, after which his ship was unfit for immediate service. Tromp planned to transfer his crew to other ships. In the winter of 1653 to 1654, he and Corstiaen Eldertszoon captured a ship, the Fortune. They went into Vlissingen to repair damages suffered in the fight. Sources:
  1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
  2. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
  3. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.II, 1923.
  4. Carl Stapel, unpublished manuscript "Paulus van den Kerckhoff of Paulus van de Kerkhoven", 2005.
  5. A. Vreugdenhil, Ships of the United Netherlands 1648-1702, 1938.

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Dutch Captain: Gabriel Antheunissen

Gabriel Antheunissen served the Admiralty of the Noorderkwartier. He commanded the ship Kasteel van Medemblik (26 guns). He served under the command of Michiel de Ruyter in the Channel and fought in the Battle of Plymouth. In December, he fought in the Battle of Dungness, where he was with Pieter Florissen's squadron. In February-March 1652, he fought in the Battle of Portland. He disobeyed direct orders from Pieter Florissen, whom he was required to support. After the battle, he was dismissed from the service and replaced as captain by Adriaan Houttuijn. Sources:
  1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
  2. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol. VI, 1930.
  3. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships 1600-1700", 2005.
  4. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.II, 1900.

Monday, December 05, 2005

Dutch Captain: Hendrik Kroeger (or Crueger)

Hendrik Kroeger (or Croeger) served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. From the beginning of the First Anglo-Dutch War until 22 July 1652, he commanded the Marcus Curtius (24 guns) which was with the fishery protection squadron. On 22 July, the English captured or sank the ships in the squadron. In January 1653, he became separated from the fleet due to the bad weather. In mid-April 1653, he was with Witte de With's squadron and attended a council of war on Witte de With's ship the Luipaard. According to Dr. Ballhausen, Hendrik Kroeger commanded the ship Leiden in 1653, and fought in the Battle of Dungeness in December 1652 and the Battles of the Gabbard and Scheveningen in 1653. We know that at the Battle of Scheveningen, he was assigned to Michiel De Ruyter's squadron. Sources:
  1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
  2. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
  3. Dr. Carl Ballhausen, Der Erste Englisch-Höllandische Seekrieg 1652-1654, 1923.
  4. Dr. S.R. Gardiner, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.I, 1898.

Sunday, December 04, 2005

Dutch Captain: Jacob Janszoon Coppe

Jacob Janszoon Coppe served the Amsterdam Directors. He commanded the ship Catarina, a vessel carrying 28 guns and with a crew of 110 men. The dimensions of the Catarina were 125ft x 29.25ft x 12.5ft. The 28 guns included 12-12pdr, 6-8pdr, 8-6pdr, and 2-3pdr. The Catarina seems to have been hired in late January 1653, as the first document listing the ship is dated 30 January 1653. We know that the Catarina was operating with Witte de With's squadron in April 1653. He definitely fought in the Battle of the Gabbard where his ship was captured by the English. Sources:
  1. C. T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.IV, 1910.
  2. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
  3. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Directors' Ship Information 1652-1653", 2004.
  4. Johan E. Elias, Schetsen uit de geschiedenis van ons zeewezen, Vol.V, 1928.

A courtmartial on 18 June 1653 on board the Brederode

Tromp conducted a courtmartial of four ship commanders on 18 June 1653, not very long after the Battle of the Gabbard. Those tried included:
  1. Lt-Commandeur Uldinich (or Ulrich) de Jaeger, the ship Nieuw Gideon (34 guns) Amsterdam Directors
  2. Captain Andries Douweszoon Pascaert, the ship Sint Vincent (28 guns) Harlingen Directors
  3. Cornelis Naeuoogh, the ship Sint Matheeus (34 guns) Amsterdam Directors
  4. Jan Fredrickszoon Houcboot (or Hoeckboot) Vergulde Meerman (30 guns) Edam Directors
Jan Houcboot was acquitted while the others were convicted and sentenced to being deprived of their rank, and incapable of ever serving again, his pay confiscated, and costs and to pay costs and expenses, and to be imprisoned until they have carried out the terms of the sentence. The sentence was to be read with halters around their necks. Sources:
  1. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.

Saturday, December 03, 2005

Dutch Captain: Pieter Willemszoon Verhoeff

Pieter Willemszoon Verhoeff served the Admiralty of Amsterdam and als the VOC. He was appointed captain in 1600. In 1607, he distinguished himself as flag captain of Van Heemskerck in the Battle of Gibraltar. There was not only Jacob van Heemskerck, but Vice-Admiral Alteras, Commandeur Mooy Lambert, Captains Marinus Hollare, Verhoeff, Roest, Harpert Maartenszoon, father of Maarten Tromp, all of whom showed great courage. Van Heemskerck was killed by a Spanish cannonball on his flagship, the Aeolus, but the Dutch won the battle. He was appointed Schout-bij-Nacht and admiral of the VOC fleet sent to Molucca. In 1609, he was assasinated at Banda. Sources:
  1. J. C. De Jonge, Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, Vol.I, 1858.
  2. J. C. Mollema, De Eere Rol, from Geschiedenis van Nederland ter Zee, Vol.II, 1940.

Friday, December 02, 2005

Dutch Captain: Frans Janszoon (or Jansen)

Frans Janszoon (or Jansen) served the Admiralty of Zeeland. In 1639, he took part in the campaign leading up to the Battle of the Downs. In September, he commanded the Vlissingen (34 guns and a crew of 120 men: 100 sailors and 20 soldiers). At the Battle of the Downs, he served as Jan Evertsen's flag captain. Jan Evertsen flew his Vice-Admiral's flag from Frans Janszoon's ship. In late August 1640, he was with Captains Bankert, Forant, Tjaert de Groot, and the row jacht Captain Dorrevelt in the Channel. In November 1640, he and his squadron were assisting the Great Fishery, and cruising off the Hoofden. In April 1641, he commanded the ship Vlissingen. He was part of a group of ships carrying passengers, of which he carried 44. In October 1643, he was with Tromp's squadron in a fleet of two squadrons. In December 1645, Tromp was called to the Hague. Frans Janszoon was left in charge of ten ships to guard the coast. In April 1646, he was one of three captains of large ships that were to be sent to the West Indies, under the command of the West-Indies Company, despite the lack of ships to blockade Dunkirk. He was nominally part of Tromp's fleet that in April 1646 was blockading Dunkirk. Sources:
  1. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Armada van 1639, 1941.
  2. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Duinkerkers, 1949.
  3. Charles R. Boxer, The Journal of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp Anno 1639, 1930.
  4. Dr. F. Graefe, De Kapiteinsjaren van Maerten Harpertszoon Tromp, 1938.

The Extra-Ordrinary Equipage and reality

This is from my translation of a paragraph in Dr. Elias's book De Vlootbouw in Nederland, on pages 90 and 91:
We learned a big lesson from the sum of experience with hired and lent ships during the First Anglo-Dutch War. That lesson was the untenableness of the ancient axiom: that which one had was the backbone of the defense at sea. We had greatly overestimated our supply of suitable ships. In February 1652, a pamphlet estimated the number of ships, in the country, which could be equipped as warships was 172, and which could carry at least 24 guns. On the other hand, when the official investigation began by a couple of ship brokers from Amsterdam and North Holland that the reserve of ships of 120-144ft in length and with 24 to 50 guns was no more than 43. They also found a number of fluits that were not suited as warships. In the entire Meuse district, there was almost nothing but fluits, and those of a smaller type with a maximum length of 113ft.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Barrels of gunpowder

There is a note in Charles Boxer's book Tromp's Journal 1639 that barrels of gunpowder were 100 lbs. each. That would resolve a question about gunpowder after the Battle of Scheveningen, where in some cases the amounts were in barrels and in other cases they were in hundreds of pounds. Sources:
  1. C.T. Atkinson, Ed., The First Dutch War, Vol.V, 1912.
  2. Charles R. Boxer, The Journal of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp Anno 1639, 1930.

Dutch Captain: Jacob Meyndertszoon van Uyl

Jacob Meyndertszoon van Uyl served the Admiralty of Amsterdam. He commanded Willem van Brederode's ship Utrecht (28 guns) at the Battle of the Downs in October 1639. Willem van Brederode appears to have died prior to the battle. Jacob Meyndertszoon van Uyl is believed to have been Van Dorp's and Tromp's first flag captain. One issue is that Charles Boxer calls him Gerrit Meyndertszoon, while Dr. De Boer calls him Jacob Meyndertszoon (van Uyl). Dr. De Boer is at least consistent, as in Tromp en de Duinkerkers, he also calls him Jacob Meyndertszoon van Uyl. Jacob Meyndertszoon van Uyl was involved in a battle with Dunkirkers in July 1640, with Witte de With. He was fortunate to be saved by Captain Baselaer's ship. Witte de With's ship was heavily damaged and on fire, close to the powder room. On 14 November 1640, while cruising off the Flemish coast, he took a galliot from Ostende, with three guns, commanded by Captain Jacques Bijl. In January 1641, he was given command of a group to attack two Dunkirker frigates off Plymouth. They took the St. Juan Evangelist, which was originally a Zeeland ship. In early September 1642, he was off England with Matthijs Gilliszoon, under the command of Schout-bij-Nacht Cats. There is another note from Tromp to the States General that calls him Gerrit Meyndertszoon van Uyl, the same as what Charles Boxer called him. The multiple references seem to indicate that Gerrit and Jacob are the same man. In October 1643, he was with Tromp, who had two squadrons dedicated to blockading Dunkirk. One squadron had Tromp along with captains van Coole, the ship of Joris van Cats, Bouckhorst, Jan Gijssen, the ship of Joost Bankert, Swart, Dorrevelt, and Frans Jansen (Janszoon). The other had captains Willem Codde, Lieven de Zeeuw, Den Uyl, Verhaef, the ship of Voorens, Ringelszoon, and the ship Aemilia. We believe at this date, Tromp used the Prinses Roijaal Marie as his flagship. Sources:
  1. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Armada van 1639, 1941.
  2. Dr. M.G. De Boer, Tromp en de Duinkerkers, 1949.
  3. Charles R. Boxer, The Journal of Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp Anno 1639, 1930.
  4. Johan E. Elias, De Vlootbouw in Nederland 1596-1655, 1933.

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