Heemskerk's defeat of the Spaniards at Gibraltar, 25 April 1607, c.1619 (oil on canvas)

Creator: Cornelis Claesz van Wieringen A scene showing a view of the Battle of Gibraltar, 25 April 1607, the first major naval victory for the Dutch in the Eighty Years War, 1568-1648. Thirty Dutch ships took the Spanish fleet by surprise in the Bay of Gibraltar in an action lasting four hours. The Spanish vessels, which threatened Dutch trade with Asia, were destroyed and 4000 Spaniards and 100 Dutchmen lost their lives. All the Spanish ships were destroyed and both the Dutch and the Spanish admirals were amongst the dead. The Dutch Admiral Jacob van Heemskerck (1567-1607) was hit by a Spanish cannonball while standing on deck.