
Johan Evertsen (1 February 1600-5 August 1666) was a Dutch admiral who served in the Dutch Revolt and the Anglo-Dutch Wars.
Biography[]
Johan Evertsen was born in Vlissingen (Flushing), Zealand in 1600, and he became captain of a ship at the age of 18 in recognition of his late father's service and sacrifice for the Netherlands. He fought against the Barbary pirates in 1626-1627, the Dunkirk corsairs from 1628 to 1636, at the Battle of the Slaak against the Spanish, and the Anglo-Dutch Wars. Witte de With accused Evertsen of being an Orangist and a coward, but Maarten Tromp named Evertsen a squadron commander and helped to rescue Tromp at the Battle of Dungeness. He was accused of cowardice after the defeat at the Battle of Scheveningen, but he sailed under Michiel de Ruyter in 1659 to reconquer the Danish islands lost to Sweden. His defeat at the Battle of Lowestoft nearly resulted in Evertsen being lynched by an angry mob, and he was killed at the St. James's Day Battle.