dutcht

dutcht is a naval task group or flotilla of Dutch warships that were employed by the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNN) from the late 17th century until 1975. The term "dutcht" is derived from "Dutch," referring to the ships' origin or ownership.

The first recorded use of the term "dutcht" dates back to 1689, when a fleet of 16 merchant ships were captured by the British Royal Navy off the coast of Rotterdam. These captured ships were subsequently commissioned into the British Navy as part of a new unit referred to as a "dutch flotilla." This marked the beginning of the use of "dutcht" as a colloquialism for a group of Dutch warships operating under a foreign flag.

Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the RNN constructed and deployed various "dutcht" units to other naval powers, often in exchange for economic or military assistance. These ships were typically older vessels that the RNN had deemed no longer seaworthy or advantageous to maintain. By selling or transferring these ships to foreign powers, the RNN could upgrade its own fleet or acquire the necessary funds to pursue modernization efforts.

The use of "dutcht" units became somewhat routine during World War I and II, when the RNN sold or transferred ships to countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States to bolster their navies. However, the term "dutcht" began to fall out of use after World War II, and by the 1970s it was generally considered an archaic term.