Michiel de Ruyter

Timeline

1. 1607–1637Vlissingen · ZeelandBorn in Vlissingen in Zeeland, he went to sea as a youth, gaining seafaring experience on Baltic, Mediterranean and West African trade routes; his courage and skill earned the respect of his peers and laid the foundation for his later military career.
2. 1637–1652Coast of the Dutch Republic · North SeaHe joined the navy in 1637, fighting the Spanish and pirates. In 1641 he led a merchant convoy to Brazil, displaying outstanding organizational and command ability. On the eve of the First Anglo-Dutch War he was already a respected captain from Zeeland.
3. 1652–1664North Sea and English Channel · English ChannelHe distinguished himself repeatedly in the First Anglo-Dutch War, his reputation rising after the Battle of Scheveningen in 1653. He then took part in Baltic convoys and expeditions against the pirates of Algiers, becoming one of the Republic's most reliable naval commanders.
4. 1665–1667Thames and Medway rivers · KentHe commanded the main fleet in major actions such as the Four Days' Battle and St. James's Day Battle of 1665–1666. In June 1667 he launched the Medway raid, burning English warships and capturing the flagship Royal Charles, shocking all Europe and directly bringing about the Treaty of Breda.
5. 1672–1676Augusta Bay, Sicily · SicilyAfter the Disaster Year of 1672 he continued to command the fleet against the combined French and English navies, repeatedly thwarting French landing attempts in 1673. In 1676 he led reinforcements to the Mediterranean to support Spain against France and was killed by a cannonball in the Battle of Augusta Bay.