Ruyter, Michael Adriaanszoon de. A celebrated Dutch admiral. Born at Flushing in 1607; died in 1676 in the port Syracuse from a wound received in an engagement with the French. He rose to his rank from the situation of cabin-boy, and distinguished himself for remarkable seamanship and bravery in many naval battles, but more especially in 1653, in 1666, and in 1672 against the British fleet.

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