Born in Dunkirk as the son of a fisherman, Bart served when young in the Dutch navy, but when war broke out between Louis XIV and the United Provinces in 1672 he entered the French service, as one of the Dunkirker Privateers.
Bart was born in Dunkirk as the son of a fisherman. Bart served when young in the Dutch navy. He entered the French service. This was as one of the Dunkirker Privateers. War broke out between Louis XIV in 1672. War broke out between the United Provinces in 1672.