In the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665 he was second in command in the squadron of Lieutenant-Admiral Jacob van Wassenaer Obdam, taking over command of this unit when the latter was killed because his flagship exploded.
During the Battle of Lowestoft in 1665, he acted as second-in-command under Admiral Obdam's squadron. After Obdam's death from an explosion on his vessel, he assumed control of that group.