The dutch navy is rich in history. Heroes of the high seas and historical feats of arms are to this day remembered on special days and held in honour by the Royal Netherlands Navy. In normal everyday life citizens are reminded of the colourful maritime history of the Netherlands. Street names, sea shanties, story books, paintings and tombs keep the history of the nation?s fleet alive. Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter and his flagship the Zeven Provinciën, voyages of discovery, the Silver Fleet, the Dutch East India Company, Van Speyk?s heroism, privateers, mutiny, the Battle of the Java Sea, shipping disasters, UN peacekeeping operations: we have heard of these or read about them. A modern overview of Dutch naval history has, until now, been lacking. In the chronicle of the Royal Netherlands Navy the high points of five hundred years of Dutch maritime history are discribed day by day. This book of days is richly illustrated. For anyone interested in the maritime history of the Netherlands this record is not only a way to remember but also a source to discover facts we should not forget.