Tjerk Hiddes de Vries facts for kids
Tjerk Hiddes de Vries (born in Sexbierum, August 6, 1622 – died in Flushing, August 6, 1666) was a brave Dutch admiral in the 1600s. He was known as a hero at sea. The French people, who found his name hard to say, called him Kiërkides. His first name was also spelled Tsjerk, Tierck, or Tjerck.
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Early Life of Tjerk Hiddes
Tjerk was born in 1622 in a small village called Sexbierum. This village is in the Friesland region of the Netherlands. His parents were a poor farmer named Hidde Siurds and his wife, Swab Tjeirckdochter.
When Tjerk was just twelve years old, he began working on ships. In 1648, he married Nannetje Atses. They made their home in Harlingen, which was a very important port in Friesland. By 1654, Tjerk had become a master sailor.
Fighting in the Northern Wars
During the Northern Wars, Tjerk became a captain. He was in charge of a ship called the Judith. This ship carried soldiers. In 1658, his ship joined a fleet led by Admiral Jacob van Wassenaer Obdam. Their mission was to help the city of Copenhagen against Sweden.
In a big sea battle called the Battle of the Sound, Tjerk's ship and its soldiers fought bravely. They boarded and captured three Swedish ships. Because of his courage, Tjerk was made an "extraordinary captain" for the Admiralty of Friesland. This was one of the five main naval groups in the Netherlands.
Second Anglo-Dutch War Battles
Tjerk was promoted to full captain on March 27, 1665. This was during the Second Anglo-Dutch War against England. He commanded a ship named d' Elff Steden. In the Battle of Lowestoft, his ship got tangled with other Dutch ships that were on fire. An English fireship had set them ablaze. With great bravery, Tjerk managed to free his ship.
The Dutch lost this battle badly. But Tjerk and others who showed courage were seen as heroes. Tjerk even wrote a report criticizing his commander, Van Obdam, who had died in the battle. The Frisian admiralty needed a new leader. They chose Tjerk to be Lieutenant-Admiral of Frisia on June 29, 1665. This meant he skipped two ranks, which was unusual but happened sometimes back then.
Normally, the Frisian fleet was small. But because of the war, Friesland built 28 new ships. Tjerk oversaw the creation of this strong naval force. It was the biggest fleet Friesland ever sent out.
Major Sea Battles of 1666
In the Four Days Battle of 1666, Tjerk called himself De Vries (meaning "The Frisian"). He was second in command in the group led by Admiral Cornelis Evertsen the Elder. When Evertsen was killed on the first day, Tjerk took over. His flagship was still the Groot Frisia. He fought especially well on the last day of the battle. His actions greatly helped the Dutch win.
Six weeks later, Tjerk fought in the St James's Day Battle. He was second in command of the front section of ships. This section struggled to stay in formation after a calm period. They were heavily attacked by the English fleet. Tjerk was badly wounded; an arm and a leg were shot off. Even then, he tried to rally his ships, but it was too late. His damaged ship drifted away. It was found the next day by another Dutch group. Tjerk was quickly taken ashore in Flushing. But he died from his wounds on his birthday, August 6, 1666.
After Tjerk Hiddes's Death
Tjerk Hiddes was buried in the Grote Kerk (Great Church) in Harlingen. Sadly, his grave marker has been lost. Four days after he died, his son, Tjerk Hiddes the Younger, was born. To honor his father, the admiralty promised the baby boy a future captain's job. Tjerk junior did indeed become a naval captain later on.
Tjerk Hiddes de Vries became more and more famous in the 1700s and 1800s. He was seen as a folk hero in Friesland. In 1932, a Dutch writer wrote a book about him. It was called Tierck Hiddes, de Friesche zeeheld.
The Dutch Navy has named several ships to honor Tjerk Hiddes:
- HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes (1939)
- HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes (G16)
- HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes (F804)
- HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes (F830)
