council of the VOC colonial empire). From 1784 until 1786 he served as vlootvoogd (fleetguardian; admiral in charge of a fleet) in the Indian waters with
Mediterranean against a much larger French fleet. A Fleet Guardian ("Vlootvoogd") was generally also appointed and functioned as a deputy fleet commander
to 1847 and was 265 m long by 10 m wide. Well-known fleet-guardians (Vlootvoogd [nl]) of the Rotterdam Admiralty include: Almonde, Philps van: luitenant-commandeur