in 1632 and in 1636–37, stadholder frederik hendrik tried to create more unity in the fight against the spanish netherlands. supervision of the fleet blockading the dunkirkers was no longer placed in the hands of the five admiralty colleges but given to a central organization, which was to operate from a single base at hellevoetsluis by directors specially appointed for the purpose. the object was to increase efficiency, but the system did not work well and holland, notably amsterdam, put up effective resistance, causing it to be abandoned.