Carel Hendrik Ver Huell

Carel Hendrik Ver Huell (4 February 1764 – 25 October 1845) was a Dutch naval officer and statesman. He married Maria Johanna de Bruyn on 22 February 1789 at Hummelo, and had three sons with her. Career Ver Huell had a checkered career in which he switched allegiances a number of times. However, he was not alone in this (Talleyrand and Fouché come to mind). In any case, he always diligently served his current master, and often was able to restore a good relationship with former masters. Dutch Republic Ver Huell entered the military service of the Dutch Republic as an officer cadet in an infantry regiment but soon switched to the navy, becoming a midshipman in 1779. On board the frigate Argo (40) he participated in the "Affair of Fielding and Bylandt", of 30 December 1779, during which a Dutch convoy, escorted by a squadron under Admiral Bylandt, was attacked in peace time by a British squadron under Commodore Charles Fielding. In 1781, he took part as a third lieutenant, still aboard Argo, in the Battle of Dogger Bank (1781), where he distinguished himself. For his conduct he was made a Knight (third class) in the Military Order of William, by William II of the Netherlands in 1843, 62 years after the battle. He was wounded during the battle, and was promoted to second lieutenant in recompense.