Introduction / 1

Map of the Dutch Republic / 11
Map of Dutch Naval Activity in European Waters / 12
 

Part One: The "Old" Navy, Late 1500s-1652 / 13

Naval Operations against Spain and the Dunkirk Privateers / 15
The Boards of the Admiralties at Work / 25
The Slow Birth of a Naval Officers? Corps / 35
Truly International Crews / 48

Part Two: The "New" Navy, 1652-1713 / 57

The "Old" Navy Out of Date / 59
John de Witt?s New Navy / 64
An Era of Naval Campaigns against England and France and in the Baltic / 71
Changes in the Naval Administration / 85
De Ruyter and the Other Naval Officers / 96
Well-manned Ships / 114

Part Three: A Second-Rate Navy, 1714-1795 / 127

Convoys and the Containment of the Barbary Corsairs / 129
Favouritism and Innovation / 141
Little Work, But More Education for the Naval Officer / 153
Naval Seaman, A Poor Man's Job / 170
Aftermath / 187

In Retrospect / 191

Bibliography / 195

Index / 209