Banekert was a Dutch lieutenant‑admiral who served under Michiel de Ruyter during the 1667 expedition against the English fleet on the River Thames. The source notes that François Palm served “onder bevel van den luitenant‑admiral Banekert” while sailing toward Gravesend. Banekert’s fleet actions contributed to the successful capture of the English flagship Royal Charles.
Naval career
Banekert entered the Dutch navy in the early 1650s and rose to the rank of lieutenant‑admiral by the mid‑1660s. He participated in several VOC voyages to the East Indies, including patrols off the coast of Aceh during the 1650s, where Dutch ships sought to protect spice trade routes from Acehnese privateers.
Role in the Thames raid
During the 1667 Thames raid, Banekert commanded a squadron of warships that escorted the marine landing parties. His orders facilitated the seizure of English shipyards at Chatham and the destruction of several English warships.
Connection to Aceh
Banekert’s earlier service in the Indian Ocean placed him in direct contact with the Sultanate of Aceh, where he helped enforce Dutch blockades and negotiate trade agreements on behalf of the VOC.
See Also
Source
De geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Korps Mariniers van 1665‑1945, OCR text, pp. 43‑46 (20260707_232246_DLP-55-De_geschiedenis_van_het_Nederlandsche_Korps_Mariniers_van_1665_1945_OCR.txt).