The New Student's Reference Work/Ruyter, Michael Adrianszoon de

Ruyter (rī′tẽr), Michael Adrianszoon de, Dutch admiral, was born at Flushing, Holland, March 24, 1607, of poor parents who sent him to sea when only 11. When war broke out between Holland and England in 1652, a fleet was given to Ruyter. With it he beat off an attack by the English, and attacked Admiral Blake off the mouth of the Thames, but was forced to retire. Two months later he totally defeated Blake off Dover. When Tromp was killed off the Texel in 1653, Ruyter was made vice-admiral. For service in 1659 he was ennobled by the king of Denmark. The years 1661–3 were taken up in checking the piracy of the African states on the Mediterranean. War again broke out between Holland and England in 1664, and in 1666 Ruyter fought four days against Monk and Prince Rupert, finally driving off the British fleet, but a month later was driven back to Holland. In 1667 Ruyter threw London into turmoil by sailing up the Medway as far as Rochester, burning English ships, and entering the Thames a second time as high as Gravesend, besides attacking Harwich. In 1672 the Dutch admiral fought the French and English in Solebay, and twice defeated Prince Rupert and D’Estrées. After this defeat England made peace. In 1676 the Dutch-Spanish fleet fought the French on the east of Sicily. Ruyter was wounded, for the first time in his life of battles, and died a week later, April 29, 1676. Ruyter was a man of piety, simple in his manners and of unflinching courage. As a seaman he ranks with Nelson and Blake.