I. Maarten Harpertzoon Van

Maarten Harpertzoon Van, a Dutch admiral, born in Briel in 1597, killed in battle, July 31 (N S., Aug. 10), 1653. In his boyhood he was captured by the English in a battle off the Guinea coast, in which his father was killed. Subsequently he was prominent on various occasions, especially under Admiral Heijn. In 1639, as admiral of Holland, he inflicted great damage upon the Spanish fleet near Gravelines, and in October he gained a most decisive victory over a powerful Spanish squadron under Oquendo in the Downs, for which he was made a noble of France. Against the English fleet in 1652 he was at first unsuccessful in the Downs, and was superseded by De Ruyter, but was soon reinstated as chief commander. He signally defeated Blake near the Goodwin Sands, Nov. 29, but was intercepted by him off Portland island, Feb. 18, 1653, suffered a heavy loss, and retreated. He was killed in an encounter off the Dutch coast with the English fleet under Monk, and was buried with great splendor at Delft.

II. Cornelis Van

Cornelis Van, a Dutch admiral, son of the preceding, born in Rotterdam, Sept. 9, 1629, died in Amsterdam, May 29, 1691. He early operated against the African pirates and against the English in the Mediterranean, and when 21 years old was made vice admiral.

From 1656 to 1662 he lived in retirement. In 1665, when the Dutch fleet under Admiral Opdam was beaten by the English off Solebay, Van Tromp conducted a masterly retreat. He was appointed commander-in-chief in the absence of De Ruyter, and under him he displayed great valor in the encounter with the English in the Downs in June, 1666; but on July 25 (N. S., Aug. 4) he was cut off from the main squadron, and was unable to come to the relief of De Ruyter, who accordingly insisted upon his removal. He was reinstated in 1673, during the war with the allied French and English, in which he gained new laurels. After the restoration of peace with England in 1675 he was cordially received in that country, and Charles II. made him a baronet. On De Ruyter's death in 1676 he succeeded him in the highest naval rank, but afterward served for some time with great distinction under the Danish government.