Naval strength of the Dutch East Company at China in 1683

In 1683 a list was made of the ships, vessels and so on, belonging to the Dutch East Company. For most of the ships was given an indication of her condition, sometimes what kind of ship, her measurement and the first time she was outward bound. I added to each vessels using other sources.

Classification ‘A’ suitable for all fairways.

Yacht Zeijst, classification ‘A’, first outward bound 1681, 140 last.

Is still new en quite well built, when she returns from China she have to careened as soon as possible.

Yacht Zillida, classification ‘A’, first outward bound 1683, 160 last.

Is new, careening can wait for another year; in fact there wasn’t also any facility available at the moment. This complaint is made constantly in this list. Ships needing repairs had to wait and wait due to lacking enough (capable) carpenters at the yard at Onrust.

Small fluyt ‘t Wout, classification ‘A’, first outward bound 1681, 80 last.

Is new and well built, but would be a better ship if she was built with the same length as the Westbroek (100 feet). She served now just like a hooker on short fairways like in the territories of Ceylon, Coromandel, otherwise they used to many crewmembers.

Sources

Archief V.O.C. no.’s 11048 and 11250 (National Archive at The Hague).

Collectie Hudde 1627-1697 no. 21 (National Archive at The Hague).

J.R. Bruijn e.d. Dutch-Asiatic Shipping in the 17th and 18th Centuries. Vol II. Outward-bound voyages from the Netherlands to Asia and the Cape (1595-1794). The Hague, 1979, p. 81-85.

F.W. van Stapel. Beschrijvinge van de O.I. Compagnie.

Zeeuws Archief. Kort gevat Jaarboek van de Edele Geoctroyeerde Oost-Indische Compagnie tec. Christiaan Sigismund Matthaeus, Jan Dane, Middelburg, 1759.

Notes

1. The Daghregister of Batavia give the following information: arrived at Batavia coming from Sunda Strait 1 March 1683, departed Batavia towards Sunda Strait 20 March 1683. Chamber Zealand, dimensions 112 x ? x ? or 110 x 27½ x 11¾ (Stapel, length confirmed by Jaarboek), Dutch measurement cargo capacity 156 last, measurement at Batavia cargo capacity 140 last.

On stocks by Cornelis Speldernieuw jr. at E.I.C-yard at Middelburg, Netherlands 1679 and launched 18 April 1680. Called in the Jaarboek Seljes.

2. The Daghregister of Batavia give the following information: small yacht, arrived at Batavia coming via Bantam from Seringij 15 March 1683, departed Batavia towards the Chinese coast 16 June 1683. Dimensions 115 x ? x ?, Dutch measurement cargo capacity 178 last, measurement at Batavia cargo capacity 160 last

3. The Daghregister of Batavia give the following information: returned off Canton from Macao 31 March 1683, departed Batavia towards the Chinese coast 16 June 1683. Chamber Delft, built 1680, dimensions 83-85 x 21-21½ x 13-11½, Dutch measurement cargo capacity 113 last, measurement at Batavia cargo capacity 80 last.