Willemtje Gerrits
On this website, historical women from the maritime sector share their stories. This is the story of Willemtje Gerrits.
About Willemtje Gerrits
- Lived from: circa 1646–after 1665
- Employer: States General
- In which maritime sector did she work? War fleet
What kind of work did she do?
Gerrits dressed as a man to be able to serve in the Dutch war fleet. She was present at the Battle of Funen in 1659, but it is unknown on which ship and in what capacity. In 1665, she likely served aboard the Maarsseveen under Captain Jacob Janszoon Reus as a constable’s mate during the Battle of Lowestoft on June 13, 1665.
What else is there to say about her maritime life?
The rigging of three ships, including that of the Maarsseveen, became entangled during the Battle of Lowestoft, after which the English set the ships on fire. Gerrits is said to have jumped into a sloop (along with several other crew members), which was then taken by the English. In the prison in Colchester, her gender was revealed after a fellow villager from Emden recognized her. Once back in the Netherlands, she is said to have cited her love for the Dutch Republic as the reason for her enlistment, and returned to Emden.
*In the exhibition
When she was thirteen years old, Willemtje Gerrits fought in the Battle of Nyborg (also known as the Battle of Funen) on November 14, 1659. A squadron (war fleet) led by Michiel de Ruyter fought in the Sound to support Denmark in its battle against the Swedes. Engraving by Bastiaan Stoopendael, 1660–1690.
The rigging of the Maarsseveen became entangled with that of other ships during the Battle of Lowestoft. We see this here on the left side of the print. The English then set the ships on fire, after which the crew jumped overboard or fled in a sloop. Willemtje Gerrits did the same. Print from Lambert van den Bosch, Leven en Bedryf Van den vermaarden Zeeheld Cornelis Tromp […], 1692.
At the Battle of Lowestoft (on June 13, 1665), 103 ships participated, with a total of 21,613 crew members. Besides Willemtje Gerrits, there was at least one other woman in the fleet. She called herself “Hendrik van den Berg.” The battle ended in victory for the English, who took all the survivors prisoner. Engraving from
Willem Swinnas, The War of the English and the Dutch, Against the United Provinces of the Netherlands. Beginning in the Year 1684 and ending with the conclusion of the Peace of Breda, Anno 1667. Briefly Described. […].
