MBT "7 Provinces" (1665) (I) - formerly "St Jan Baptista" - Construction plan Scale 1 : 75 (10.01.014)

The “7 Provincien” (1665) was indeed another important ship in the Dutch navy, and this vessel is in fact a replacement for the previously mentioned ship from 1642. It was built at the shipyard in Amsterdam and was one of the most prominent warships of the Dutch Zeeland fleet in the second half of the 17th century.

What is striking is that the ship was originally named "St. Jan Baptista" before being renamed the "7 Provincien" in 1665, possibly following the example of the earlier ship, as a way of symbolising the unity of the seven provinces of the Dutch Republic.

Characteristics of the ship:

Name: As mentioned above, the original ship was the “St. Jan Baptista” and was renamed “7 Provincien” in 1665.

Type: The ship was a ship of the line, like most warships of the time. This meant it had multiple decks armed with cannons, ideal for battles in the line of battle.

Dimensions: The 7 Provincien was a large ship for its time, with 80 cannons spread across two decks. It was approximately 50 metres long and 12 metres wide.

Cannons: The ship was armed with heavy 32-pound cannons, which were particularly effective in combat against enemy ships.

Crew: The crew consisted of approximately 350 men.

History and Battles:

The "7 Provincies" (1665) gained fame for its role in various naval battles, particularly during the Anglo-Dutch Wars:

Battle of Lowestoft (1665) – This was one of the first major engagements of the Second Anglo-Dutch War. The 7 Provincien was a key vessel in the Dutch fleet, and the battle was won by the Dutch, although losses were heavy on both sides.

Battle of Texel (1667) – The 7 Provincies also played a part in this battle, in which the Dutch fleet, led by Admiral Michiel de Ruyter, secured a victory over the English.

The name "7 Provincien" (I):

The name "7 Provinces" refers to the seven provinces that together formed the Dutch Republic: Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Friesland, Gelderland, Overijssel, and Groningen. The ship thus became a kind of symbol of national unity, particularly as it reflected the strength and influence of the Dutch fleet.

The end of the “7 Provincies” (1665):

The “7 Provinces” was a highly prestigious ship, but it met a tragic end. During the Battle of Kijkduin (1673), in which the Dutch fleet once again faced the English, the ship was severely damaged. Eventually, the ship joined the fleet of the United Provinces, but after several operations it was finally taken out of active service in 1676 and scrapped.

Specifications: