This is one of a number of sketches from De Ruyter’s Voyage to Bergen in Autumn 1665. Soon after his return from the West Indies, De Ruyter was chosen as commander-in-chief of the Dutch fleet. He went out in the frigate ‘Schiedam’ to join the Dutch fleet, and Cornelis Tromp handed over the command to him. The reorganised fleet sailed northwards to meet the returning East Indiamen. The English found them first, but failed to destroy them at Bergen and De Ruyter was thus able to escort them home from there, although many were captured after they had been dispersed by a gale.

In this drawing there is a port bow view of Tromp’s ship, the ‘Liefde’ in the right middle-distance. The flag and pendant still fly at the main and the vessel is surrounded by boats. There is a two-decker with a pendant and a bare staff at the main floating close by Tromp’s ship at the starboard. On the extreme right of the drawing is a ship with a flag at her mainmast and a pendant at her mizzen.