Chapter 14: The Admiral's Gambit – 1795–1800
The construction of the Zeelandian navy became Frits's obsession. He poured money from the treasury and his own fortune into shipyards at Port Victoria and Oranjestad. He recruited officers from the Dutch navy, many of whom had fled the revolutionary regime.
The man he chose to command this fleet was Jan van Speijk, a captain who had served under Admiral de Ruyter's descendants. Van Speijk was a Calvinist, rigid in his beliefs, but he knew the Indian Ocean as well as any man alive.
"We cannot match the French or British ship‑for‑ship," van Speijk told Frits. "So we will build ships that are faster, with guns that fire further. We will turn our waters into a graveyard for any who attack."
The first frigate, Zeelandia, was launched in 1796. It was sleek, with a copper‑sheathed hull that resisted barnacles and a crew trained to sail and fight with ruthless efficiency.
In 1798, the test came. A French privateer squadron, operating out of Mauritius, slipped into Zeelandian waters. They raided a merchant convoy off the Southdown coast, taking three ships.
Van Speijk sailed with Zeelandia and two smaller vessels. He found the privateers anchored in a cove on the Southern Isles, celebrating their prize.
The battle lasted three hours. The French, caught by surprise, fought hard, but van Speijk's gunnery was superior. When the smoke cleared, two French ships were sunk, one captured. Van Speijk had lost only twelve men.
He returned to Port Victoria a hero. Frits met him on the dock.
"You have given us more than a victory," Frits said. "You have shown that we can defend ourselves."
Van Speijk saluted. "With respect, Majesty, one victory does not make a navy. We need more ships, more men, and more training. And we need to make it clear that Zeelandian waters are sacred."
Over the next two years, van Speijk built a fleet of twelve frigates and twenty smaller vessels. He established a naval academy in Port Victoria and drilled his officers in the latest tactics. By 1800, the Zeelandian navy was a force to be reckoned with.
That year, a British squadron under Admiral Horatio Nelson called at Port Victoria for resupply. Nelson, fresh from his victory at the Nile, was curious about this independent kingdom.
He met van Speijk at the naval dockyard. "I have heard of your fight with the French privateers. Good work."
Van Speijk bowed. "We are small, but we are learning."
Nelson looked out over the harbor, where Zeelandian frigates were anchored. "You have built something impressive here. But if the French come in force, you will need more than courage."
"We have something else," van Speijk said. "We have a reason to fight. This is our home. The French are invaders. That makes all the difference."
Nelson smiled. "I understand that. Good luck to you, Admiral."
As the British squadron sailed away, van Speijk watched from the shore. He knew that the peace would not last. Napoleon was rising, and the storm was coming.