The Dutch Indiamen passing Bok op Raa (Bjaelkero, Norway), 25 August [OS] /4 September 1665. The drawing is one of a series made when the Elder accompanied de Ruyter’s voyage to Bergen in the Autumn of 1665. This took place soon after de Ruyter’s return from the West Indies when he was chosen as commander-in-chief of the Dutch fleet. He went out in the frigate ‘Schiedam’ to join the fleet and Cornelis Tromp handed over his command to him. The reorganized fleet sailed northwards to meet the returning East Indiamen. The English found them first, but refused to destroy them at Bergen and de Ruyter was able to escort them home from there, although many were captured after they had been dispersed by a gale.

The drawing is a view from ahead of the Dutch ships on the starboard tack reaching past the island of Bok op Raa in their attempt to bet out to the open sea by the Kors fjord. On the left there is a view of a ship with a flag at the main, probably Pieter de Bitter in the ‘Walcheren’. On the right there are two galjoots with square sails.

The drawing has later additions in pen and ink by Charles Gore.