Rolf81

Pass close by to Leeward, load double shot, fire as they bear, reload with ball. Next move depends on the action of the enemy. Intention is to wear the ship immediate after the first broadside and engage the enemy with the larboard side.

The Batavia Currently they are building the "Zeven provincien" at the same wharf. [Edit] here is a link to the page with some background information about the build http://www.bataviawerf.nl/startpage.html

33 here..

I have no doubt about it that the Royal Navy was the most professional navy at the end of the age of sail. The high standard in the officer corps and having gotten priority by government in funding over the army (island nation) are the biggest reasons for this. Early on in the 1600´s during the British-Dutch wars the battles were hard fought and often a close call. The biggest disdvantage for the Dutch was that although they were highly professional as seafarers, there was no big standing navy. The Dutch navy consisted of ships from 5 different admiralty´s and when neccessery a supreme commander would be appointed for the combined fleet. There was rivalry between the admirals of the different admiralty´s what was sometimes carried into battle. When needed the Dutch fleet was beefed by adding armed merchant vessels to the fleet. Although they used big east indiamen, they were outclassed by their opponents in the line.

Lovely vessel.

running towards my ipad