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 Rh 3, 1641. During the following year he left the navy to command a ship belonging to the Dutch East India Company. In 1652 he again joined the Dutch navy as admiral, and fought many battles against the fleets of England and France. For his services to Spain in her war with France, he was invested by the King of Spain with the title and dignity of Duke. He, perhaps, is also better known and remembered in England than any of the Dutch seamen of that period—and not without reason.

Few nations can point to such a brilliant array of naval heroes as can Holland during the seventeenth century; or of admirals and commanders who fell while leading their fleets in the fury of battle. To name but a few: Pieter Hein, who fell before Dunkirk; Heemskerk, at Gibraltar; Van Galen, at Leghorn; Pieter Florisz and Witte de With, at the victory of the Sound; seven members of the Evertsen family, who fell as admirals or captains;Tromp, at Ter Heide; Van Gent, at Solebay; Kortenaer and Wassenaer, at Lowestoff; De Vries, near Schoonerveld; De Liefde, at Kijkduin; and Ruyter, in sight of Mount Etna.

Little is known among English-speaking people concerning the lives and achievements of these and other renowned Dutch seamen of the seventeenth century. It is therefore to be hoped that at a day not far distant, some author, duly equipped for the task, will present to the world a naval history embracing this era of Holland's glory upon the sea.