The Netherlands continued to fund ships built with contemporary technology instead of accepting a widening naval gap. The passage offers two possible reasons: repeated threats to Dutch security and the empire's role as the lifeblood of a mercantilist economy. Naval power could therefore protect both the country and its overseas trade and possessions. Dutch warships also needed crews and adequate supplies to keep their technical capabilities credible. The comparison with Spain treats sustained investment as protection against opportunistic intervention, regardless of a state's size.
Notable Point · 13:37-15:32
Naval investment for Dutch security
Schorpioen illustrates how a smaller imperial power could use up-to-date warships to protect national security and a mercantilist overseas economy.