Marines embarking on the Texel roads by Ludolf Bakhuysen, 1671. Large ships sailed from the harbours of the Zuiderzee to Texel with a minimal crew and provisions. At Texel they took on water and victuals, and here the sailors, soldiers and officers embarked. A unit of marines led by their commander on the beach is marching towards the harbour pier. Boats are ready to ferry them to the warships. A high-ranking officer and his wife are watching the activity from a low dune. He is wearing a gold-embroidered sash with sword and is pointing out the ships lying at anchor with his walkingstick. In 1665 Baron Joseph van Gendt was given command of the marine company. Perhaps this is the man with the walkingstick.