With support from the University of Richmond

History News Network

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

The forgotten Dutch threat to Virginia

Although Virginians might not consider an attack by the Dutch Navy to be a serious threat these days, such was not always the case. Little remembered today is the fact that England (and the colony of Virginia) went to war three times with Holland in the mid-17th century. The wars were mostly over trade rivalries between the two nations and since Virginia tobacco was a significant trade item with England, that made the Chesapeake Bay a big inviting target of the Dutch.

During the “Second Anglo-Dutch War,” the greatest threat to the area came from the Dutch naval commander Abraham Crijssen… known to Virginians back then as “Admiral Crimson.” He commanded a raiding fleet that “was looking for trouble” when it entered the Chesapeake Bay in June of 1667. Sitting virtually unprotected in Hampton Roads at that time was the Virginia tobacco fleet of over twenty ships, preparing to sail for England.

Through the deception of flying a British flag, Admiral Crijssen quickly captured and burned the lone English guard ship that been sent to defend us…. He then set to work plundering the helpless tobacco ships at anchor off the town of Hampton. Meanwhile, needing fresh water, the Dutch attempted to land nearby and replenish their casks, but were beaten off at several points by the hastily assembled local militia.

At Jamestown, Governor William Berkeley planned to mobilize several merchant ships, load them with militia and cannon, and attack Crijssen’s fleet. Unfortunately, while valiant in repelling a few Dutch sailors looking for water, the militia proved less than willing to get into a real battle… Several militia commanders and merchant sea captains took their time preparing to fight....
Read entire article at The Examiner