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The Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen transits in formation with other vessels from the Standing NATO Maritime Group

The history of the Navy of the Netherlands dates back to the 15th century. Overseas trade was a traditional cornerstone of the Dutch economy and naval defence was indispensable for the protection of commercial interests. At first the Dutch navy had a private character; wealthy merchants and local authorities in the ports of the Low Countries armed their ships against pirates and foreign competitors. In times of war the Dutch authorities handed out letters of marque, allowing Dutch captains to attack and capture enemy ships and their cargoes.

On 8 January 1488 the forerunner of the Dutch Navy was formed but the central authorities were not able to impose control on the private navies.

In the course of the 17th century, the Golden Age in Dutch maritime expansion, the fleet became the largest in the world. In 1653 the government decided to build 60 ships, and 10 years later they placed another order for 60 more. The flagship of the republic, De Zeven Provinciën, was fitted with 96 guns. HMS Victory, built more than a century later, had only 8 guns more.

By the late 18th century the Dutch navy was no longer a match for the French or the British navy. An ambitious shipbuilding program in 1780 could not prevent the disastrous Fourth Anglo-Dutch War (1780-1784), and at the peace of Paris the Dutch had to allow free passage throughout the East Indies; the Royal Navy had become the new power of the seas.

During the Second World War the Dutch navy was based in Allied countries, due to the conquest in May 1940 of the Netherlands by Nazi Germany.

Here’s a selection of images, both historical and contemporary, of the Royal Navy:

			The Dutch Naval Jack is a gironny of 12; blue, white, red. Flags with gironnies were the traditional jacks of the 17th century.
			Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter is the most famous admiral in Dutch history, noted for his role in the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th century. He fought the English and French in these wars and scored several major victories, notably the Raid on the Medway. The pious de Ruyter was very much loved by his sailors and soldiers; his nickname was Bestevaêr (old Dutch for grandfather).
			The Battle of Scheveningen (also known as the Battle of Texel or the Battle of Ter Heijde) was the final naval battle of the First Anglo-Dutch War. It took place on 8-10 August 1653 between the fleets of the Commonwealth of England and the United Provinces.
			The Rotterdam class of the Royal Netherlands Navy is a Landing Platform Dock or LPD amphibious warfare ship with a large helicopter deck and a dock for large landing craft.
			HNMLS Van Amstel, a "multi-purpose" or M class frigate.
			A boarding party races out in a ribbed raider to intercept a suspicious vessel.
			An American ship signals to the Dutch Navy frigate HNMLS Tjerk Hiddes during joint exercises in the Persian Gulf.
			Refuelling a Dutch navy Lynx helicopter on the deck of USS Mahan in the Caribbean.

The Dutch Navy 1488-1988 by L Eekhout published by De Bataafsche Leeuw, 1988

Royal Netherlands Navy by H. T. Lenton published by Macdonald & Co, 1968

Dutch Naval Air Force Against Japan: The Defense of the Netherlands East Indies, 1941-1942 by Tom Womack published by McFarland & Company, 2006