The 18.47-metre Michiel de Ruyter was built by Nicolaas Witsen & Vis, one of the six yacht builders that came together at De Roode Leeuw café in Amsterdam to form Feadship. As part of the original delegation Feadship sent to New York in 1951, Bram Vis in particular is an oft-quoted figure in early correspondence. The Alkmaar yachtbuilder was an important member of Feadship until 1957.