The Dolfijn was a convoy ship (a war frigate) that, together with the Rotterdam, was on the return journey from London to Rotterdam, carrying, among other things, soldiers’ pay for the English troops in Flanders and several passengers. In July 1694, the Dolfijn was again part of a merchant convoy sailing from London to Rotterdam under the command of Bernardus Engelenbergh. Also on board were his brothers: Jan Engelenbergh, who served as a surgeon, and Gideon Engelenbergh.

Off the coast of Zeeland, the convoy was intercepted by five Dunkirk privateers in French service, led by Jean Bart. The French ships launched an attack. During this engagement, the Rotterdam capsized and sank. The Dolfijn was heavily damaged by gunfire and attempted to escape, but ultimately ran aground on the Springer, a sandbank near the Brouwershavense Gat.

Among those on board were Anna, Emerentia, Adriaan, and Johan van Citters, children of Arnoud van Citters. Anna (born 1664) and Emerentia (1666) were daughters from his second marriage to Josina Parduyn and were 30 and 25 years old at the time of the shipwreck. Their brothers Adriaan (17) and Johan (12) were also on board. All four perished in the disaster, along with the majority of those aboard the Dolfijn. Only six people survived the shipwreck, including Commander Engelenbergh.

The packet boat and the merchant vessels of the convoy ultimately reached the Maas safely.

• NIMH schependocumentatie nr. 147.
• Mathias de la Cave.
• pp 68-69.
  Stadsarchief Utrecht.
  26.
  717.