During the Dutch Revolt (1568 - 1648) the Dunkirkers or Dunkirk Privateers were privateers in the service of the Spanish Empire operating from the ports of the Flemish coast: Nieuwpoort, Ostend, and in particular Dunkirk.


Dunkirk was in the hands of the Dutch rebels from 1577 until 1583, when Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, re-established the sovereignty of Philip II of Spain as count of Flanders. Dunkirk was, at the time, an important, strategically positioned town, its approaches shielded by sandbanks, and it did not take long before the Habsburg authorities in the Low Countries began issuing letters of Marque. The aim was to destroy Dutch naval trade and fisheries. Despite a near constant blocking of the port of Dunkirk by Dutch warships, the privateers often managed to evade the blockade and inflict damage on Dutch shipping. The Dutch responded by declaring the Dunkirk privateers pirates in 1587; captains of Dutch naval vessels had to swear an oath that they would throw or beat all prisoners from Dunkirk warships into the sea. This harsh standing order was very unpopular with Dutch crews, however, as Dunkirkers were also Netherlanders. It was often evaded by putting Dunkirk seamen off on one of the many shallow shoals off the Flemish coast from which they could wade to dry land.


The Dunkirkers had an extremely wide range for their era. Although mainly operating in and around the Channel, they also sailed near the Danish and German coastal areas to intercept Dutch ships returning from the Baltic, and operated in Spanish and Mediterranean waters. They cooperated closely with the Spanish navy, e.g. in the Battle of the Downs. To evade the Dutch navy the Dunkirk admiralty had a special type of small and very manoeuvrable warship constructed, the frigate, which would be adopted by other navies soon after.


In 1600 the Dutch sent an army to conquer the city of Dunkirk and stop the privateering once and for all. The Dutch invasion force clashed with a Spanish army and although the Dutch won the resulting Battle of Nieuwpoort the Dutch commander, stadtholder Maurits of Nassau, decided to turn back to the Republic.


After 1621, when the Twelve Years' Truce ended, the Dunkirkers became a real plague for Dutch shipping, capturing on average 229 merchantmen and fishing vessels per year. During this period they took about sixty British vessels each year, as neutral shipping carrying munitions and victuals to the enemy were also considered 'good prize'. This was one of the major concerns of Charles I of England's diplomatic representative in Brussels, Sir Balthasar Gerbier, who eventually managed to have tobacco taken off the list of 'victuals'. One of the most successful raiders of this period was Jacob Collaert. It was not until October 1646, when the French captured Dunkirk with Dutch naval support, that the privateers were no longer a threat.


However, when after 1672 France and the Dutch Republic became enemies, privateering activities were resumed and would last intermittently until 1712. A famous Dunkirk privateer from this period was Jean Bart.

"DEARE FRIENDS,—It is now about 6 yeares since I was most unfortunately taken by a Turkes man-of- [70] warre on the coasts of Barbary, captive into Argiere (Algiers), since which time I have written oft to London to Master Southwood of the upper ground, to Richard Barnard of Duke's Place, Richard Coote of the Bankside, to Master Linger a haberdasher in Crooked Lane, and in that to Master Southwood I sent an inclosed to my father, if living, and other letters to my brothers and friends if not dead. I could never hear whether any of you were alive or dead, which makes me think the letters are either miscarried, or all of you deceased, or gone to other places, or else I know you are so much Christians and friends that you would have looked upon me in such a condition. O! my friends, once more I tell you I am a miserable captive in Argiere, taken by a Flemish vessell two years after I left the warres in Gilderland. My Patroone (master) is one Baron, a French Renegado, that lives in the country, but hires me and another Protestant captive (one Master Robinson, a Norfolk man) out in Argiere, for this time, and if we goe up to the country, you may never hear of us againe; our misery is that the price of our redemption will be no less than 250l, because we are thought to have good friends in England, and we must both goe off together. Master Robinson hath written to his friends, and we have deeply bound ourselves to each other, that we will engage our friends to us both equally. Ah! Father, Brother, friends and acquaintance, use some speedy means for our Redemption. Many hundred slaves have been redeemed from their misery since we came hither, which makes us hope still we may be the next, and then the next, but still our hopes are deceived. We doe pray you therefore, for the Lord Christ's sake that redeemed [71] you, that you would use all possible means for our redemption. There is now a party in England renowned over the Christian world for their piety in this way. O! make your addresse to those noble worthies in the name of Christ for whose sake we suffer. We did never so well understand the meaning of that Psalme, penned by those captive Jewes, held in Babilonish captivity, as now: By the waters of Babilon we sate down and wept when we remembered thee, O! Sion, when we remembered thee, O! England. O! good friends, we hope these our sighs will come to your eares, and move pity and compassion. We are told there is a merchant in London, one Mr. Stanner of St. Mary's Axe, that hath a factor in Legorne (Leghorn), and one Mr. Hodges and Mr. Mico, Londoners, that are dealers there who are able to direct you in the readiest way for our redemption. Deny us not your prayers if you can doe nothing else. It will be some comfort to heare from friends. There is a Post in London that conveys letters into all parts, and you may have an opportunity of letting us heare from you, if you please, within a month or six weeks. The Lord direct your thoughts with waies of love, and strengthen us with faith and Patience.—Your sorrowful friend and brother in Christ,

THOMAS SWEET.

RICHARD ROBINSON.

"From Barbary: September 29, 1646.