Home » Blog » Further reading about the paintings » Further Reading about Zeven Provinciën, elements of the Dutch Fleet

Further Reading about Zeven Provinciën, elements of the Dutch Fleet

Zeven Provinciën, elements of the Dutch Fleet

The original ship

“Zeven Provinciën” fought the English repeatedly during the Anglo-Dutch wars, being involved at all the major actions including the Four Days battle & the raid on the Medway & Thames. In 1674 she was part of the fleet that, via the Canary Isles, attacked Martinique. 1678 saw her allied to the English & operating of the coasts of Spain including into the Mediterranean.

“Zeven Provinciën” was repaired at Portsmouth in 1692. The English considered her a very fine traditional Dutch ship. Her people were immensely proud of her.

Dutch ships of the period were quite distinct from French, English or Spanish. Most notably, they were, in a very ostentatious age, less ornate. Other features instantly distinctive to a sailor included more beam to length ratio, a full round bow, relatively shallow draft.

Building the “Zeven Provinciën”

A full size replica of this ship is building in the Netherlands.