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A very fine copy of this outstanding book

For most of the seventeenth century the Netherlands constituted the most important maritime power in the world, with by far the largest merchant fleet and dominance in seaborne trade, feared and envied by other countries. Born out of an 80-year struggle against Spain for independence, the Dutch republic relied on naval power to guarantee its freedom, promote its trade, and defend its overseas colonies. The Dutch navy was crucial to its survival and success, yet the ships that made up its fleets are among the least studied and most poorly documented of any in the age of sail. This history is the first definitive listing of all Dutch fighting ships.

The Netherlands was by far the most important maritime power of the seventeenth century. It dominated seaborne trade with the largest merchant fleet in the world. Born out of an 80-year struggle against Spain for independence, the Dutch republic relied on naval power to protect its freedom, promote its trade and defend its overseas colonies. Yet the ships that made up its fleets are among the least studied of any in the age of sail. This is partly because a decentralized administration of five separate admiralties, often producing ships of the same name at the same time, as well as competing systems of measuring ships, all lead to confusion and error.

In this comprehensive volume, James Bander delivers the first definitive listing of all Dutch fighting ships—whether purpose-built, purchased, hired or captured—from the heyday of the United Provinces. Each entry is complete with technical details and summaries of the ship’s career. It also provides administrative, economic, and technical background, and outlines the many campaigns fought by one of the most successful navies in history.

Review: When this books publication was first announced I ordered it straight away as there very few books on this subject published. To be truthful my expectations were not high at the time as I was anticipating it to turn out to be just a list of Dutch warships. I am pleased to say this volume has far exceeded my expectations in its detail and scope. Mr Benders meticulous research has put a complex subject in an understandable order listing ships under periods and Admiralty’s with potted histories of each ship. The illustrations also excellent and for anyone remotely interested in this period of naval history this volume brings order to chaos. I highly recommend this book and have found it invaluable in my own research into 17th century Dutch stern art.