In the years 1806-1810 was the former Dutch Republic a semi independent kingdom with as king Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, brother of the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1807-1809 were even Prussian Ost Friesland and Jever part of this kingdom although Limburg and (parts of) Zealand already were French territory. The king determined on 15 March 1808 the number of officers for ships of the line and frigates. Smaller vessels didn’t have a fixed number of officers, their number depended on what was considered suitable for their task and proposed by the minister of marine. The ships of the line or 3-deckers armed with 80, 74 or 68 guns with as heaviest calibre 36pdrs and capable for battles were commanded by a colonel, a major, a lieutenant colonel and 5-9 other officers. A frigate of 32 guns or more was to be commanded by a lieutenant colonel and 3-5 other officers.
