The 'Vollenhoven' was a frigate in the service of the Admiralty of Amsterdam. On August 19, 1666, the ship was attacked and set ablaze by English fireships during the English attack on Terschelling.

During the Battle of Lowestoft on June 13, 1665, the Vollenhoven was part of Admiral Tjerk Hiddes de Vries' squadron. The ship was then commanded by Captain Hendrick Hanckroy (also known as Akro). (Tromp, p. 279)

Holmes Bonfire
On August 19, 1666, an English fleet commanded by Rear Admiral Robert Holmes launched a surprise attack on a merchant fleet of approximately 170 ships anchored in the Vlie River—between Vlieland and Terschelling—during the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665–1667).

To protect this fleet, two Dutch frigates were moored in the Vlie River, near the Robbegat: the Vollenhoven and the Middelhoven. Both ships were lost during the attack.

Rijksmuseum (RP-P-OB-82.011)

Robert Holmes attack on Terschelling

According to reports, five English fireships were sent against the frigates. Several were destroyed by cannon fire, but ultimately both ships caught fire. Eyewitnesses reported that the Vollenhoven was hit first. Her captain, Jan Jeroensz. Adelaar, drowned when he was forced to abandon his burning ship. Captain Van Tol of the Middelhoven survived the attack.

Eenen capitein Brown hielp met zyn brander het schip van capitein Adelaar, de voornaamste convoyer, in den brand; by welke gelegentheid de gemelde capitein, benevens vyftien a zestien man, trachtende zich, na eenige tegenweer, met de boot te bergen, kwam te verdrinken. (Tromp, 350)

Once the escort ships were destroyed, the defenseless merchant fleet was easy prey. The English systematically set fire to most of the ships.

Ondertusschen voeren d’Engelsche al voort met verbranden van de schepen op de stroom, consumeerden daer toe alle hare branders, en volvoerdent voort uyt hare kitsen en saloupen, door hantgranaden, diese in de schepen wierpen; niet rustende totdat se die gantsche vloot hadden vernielt, behalven 13 of 14, off meer, die haer opwaerts ontseylden."

After the fleet's destruction, Holmes landed on Terschelling and completely burned down the village of West-Terschelling.

Consequences
It is estimated that at least 2,000 people were killed in the attack. Despite this heavy blow, the Dutch merchant fleet was largely restored within a short time.

Holmes' attack, later known as Holmes' Bonfire, sparked great anger in the Dutch Republic. The incident was one of the reasons for the famous Raid on the Medway, carried out by Michiel de Ruyter in June 1667.

• Anne Doedens en Jan Houter.
  1666: de Brand van Terschelling en Vlieland. Bijlagen 4-43.
• Three decks.org.
  Vollenhoven.
• Leven en bedrijf van den vermaarde zeeheld Cornelis Tromp, 279.
• Amsterdam archief, S.A.A, 5075 NOTA00240.