He successfully attacked Bangka and Java, which earned him the nickname "Terror of the Bandits" (Dutch: Schrik der Roovers).

Van Speyk despised the Belgian independence movement, and he said he would rather die "than become an infamous Brabander".

The Belgians quickly stormed his ship, demanding Van Speyk haul down the Dutch flag.

This resulted in a royal decree (Koninklijk Besluit number 81, 11 February 1833) issued by King William I pronouncing that as long as the Dutch Navy exists there will always be a ship named Van Speijk to preserve his memory.

For his actions related to the bombardment of Antwerp, as captain of Gunboat Number 2, Van Speyk was decorated with the Knight's Cross (4th class) of the Military Order of William.