Egbert Bartholomeusz Kortenaer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Egbert Bartholomeusz Kortenaer
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Portrait of Egbert Meeuwsz Cortenaer, showing his blind eye and good left hand in 1660, by Bartholomeus van der Helst
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| Born | 1604 |
| Died | 13 June 1665 near Lowestoft
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| Nationality | Dutch Republic |
Egbert Bartholomeuszoon Kortenaer (born 1604, died 1665) was a brave admiral from the Dutch Republic. He was a hero who fought for the Netherlands. Sadly, he was killed during a big sea battle called the Battle of Lowestoft.
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Early Career and Bravery
Egbert Kortenaer was born in Groningen in 1604. He came from a simple family. He started his navy career early. In 1626, he became a boatswain (a senior sailor). By 1636, he was a second mate.
During the First Anglo-Dutch War, he served on the main Dutch ship, the Brederode, in 1652. In the Battle of Dungeness, he was badly hurt. He lost his right hand and one eye.
Even after his injuries, Kortenaer kept fighting. In 1653, he became a commandeur (a naval officer rank). He took over from another captain on the Brederode. This was the flagship of Lieutenant-Admiral Maarten Tromp.
Leading the Fleet
In the Battle of Scheveningen, Admiral Tromp was killed. Kortenaer bravely kept Tromp's flag flying. This helped keep the sailors' spirits high. He then took command of his group of ships.
Because of his courage, Kortenaer was promoted to captain in October 1653. After the war, he often led groups of ships as a commodore. He stepped up when higher-ranking officers were not available.
Battle of the Sound and Promotions
In 1658, Kortenaer was the flag captain on the ship Eendragt. This was during the Battle of the Sound. His commanding officer, Lieutenant-Admiral Jacob van Wassenaer Obdam, was ill. Kortenaer fought off every Swedish attack.
His heroic actions against the Swedish earned him great respect. In May 1659, he was promoted to vice-admiral. The King of Denmark, Frederick III of Denmark, even made him a knight. He joined the Order of the Elephant.
In 1665, just before the Second Anglo-Dutch War, he became a lieutenant-admiral. This was for the Admiralty of de Maze. Even though he was a great leader, he wasn't given command of the whole Dutch fleet. This was because he supported the House of Orange. An English report at the time called him "the best man they have."
Final Battle and Legacy
On June 13, 1665, Kortenaer fought in the Battle of Lowestoft. He was second in command, right after Van Wassenaer. Early in the battle, a cannonball hit his hip. He was on the ship Groot Hollandia and was fatally wounded.
Egbert Kortenaer was buried in Rotterdam. A beautiful marble memorial marks his grave. It has a poem by Gerard Brandt that honors his bravery:
- The Hero of the Maas, bereft of eye
- and his right hand
- Yet of the Wheel the Eye, Fist of
- the Fatherland
- KORTENAER the Great, the terror
- of foe's fleets
- the forcer of the Sound by this grave
- his country greets
Portraits
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Commemorative medal by Wouter Muller, 1665
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Lieutenant-Admiral Egbert Bartholomeusz Kortenaer, anonymous copy of the Van der Helst portrait, hiding his blind eye
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Lieutenant-Admiral Egbert Bartholomeusz Kortenaer (after a painting by Isaac Mijtens)
,_after_Isaac_Mijtens.jpg)
Ships Named Kortenaer
Several ships in the Dutch navy have been named Kortenaer to honor the admiral:
- A coastal defense ship from the late 1800s.
- The World War II destroyer HNLMS Kortenaer.
- An ex-British S-class destroyer, which was once HMS Scorpion, transferred in 1945.
- The lead ship of the Kortenaer-class frigates.
