His rise to prominence came during the first Dutch war (1652-4).

He held senior commands throughout the first Dutch war.

By the late 17th century it was the largest refitting dockyard, important during the Dutch wars.

With the end of the Dutch wars naval shipbuilding had also retreated to the royal yards.

At 25 he went to the Netherlands to take part in the Dutch war.

Accusations of corruption in his naval administration, and especially during the Dutch war, were brought against him, but there is no real evidence for this.

Plans were made, but nothing could be done because of the Dutch war.

With the prize money that he had won in the recent Dutch war, he could afford to indulge his taste for fine things.

It always has won these last twenty years or so; nor is there any record of serious naval defeat since the Dutch wars.

Loss of warriors and leaders on both sides in the many Dutch wars.