History
De Hoop was a small frigate of the Admiralty of Friesland. The ship was first mentioned during the Battle of Texel on August 21, 1673. The English and French fleets jointly attempted to destroy the fleet of the Republic. It was the last major battle during the Third Anglo-Dutch War. The battle ended inconclusively.* The captain was Cornelis Reindersz Eenarm. At the time, it was armed with 6 guns and manned by 26 men.
Captured Jean Bart
On January 21, 1675, the frigate served in a convoy and escorted 3 merchant ships coming from Norway. They were unlucky. The Dutch were spotted by the young Dunkirk privateer Jean Bart, who was nearby. Jean Bart was only 24 years old and already very successful as captain of the frigate La Royale.
Jean Bart immediately attacked the Admiralty ship. After just under an hour, he captured the frigate. The Dutch captain, lieutenant, and a number of crew members had been killed. The Frisian warship was taken in triumph to Dunkirk. The resounding victory brought Jean Bart honor and glory, and his reputation was immediately established. What became of De Hoop is unknown.
*) Subsequently, the English completely abandoned their attempt to destroy the Dutch fleet so that troops could be landed, and both fleets turned back. Not a single ship had been sunk, but many were heavily damaged, and some 3,000 men had perished. Two-thirds of the casualties were English or French. Although the outcome was inconclusive, the battle must certainly be regarded as a strategic victory for the Dutch: for the third time, they had achieved their objective of preventing a landing and damaging the enemy fleet.