Gunboats were deployed by the navies of various countries to protect their estuaries and rivers. This model represents the largest type used by the Royal Netherlands wNavy, the gaff-rigged gunboat. A number of them were used in the blockade of Antwerp during the Belgian Revolt. Gunboat No. 2 became the most famous when Lieutenant Jan van Speijk blew up the vessel in 1831, rather than risk its capture by Belgian insurgents.