Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, Netherlands Made by Frans Hogenburg between 1585-1587. RP-P-OB-78.775.
Drawn by Jan Luyken. Original link
A promising name, this vessel the End o the war could have ended the Dutch Revolt with success for the rebellions if she had succeeded in the task she was built for. In 1568 the Low Countries [nowadays the Netherlands and Belgium] started a revolt against the Spanish Crown. This revolt is in the Dutch history better known as the 80 years war and which ended finally in 1648. The second half of the 17th Century would become the Golden Age for the young Dutch Republic at certain moment the major naval power of the world. The merchant fleet was the largest of the world. The Golden Age is also known for famous painters as Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer and Frans Hals.
In in August 1584 was started with the building and the ship was finished in April 1585. She was designed by the engineers Hendrcic and Antheunis. The ship had many problems right after the launch, she had a too great draught, twice as heavy as calculated; things had still to be done to make her more operational into Dutch waters. Time and money wasted on a gigantic vessel, one, if not the biggest ship of her time. Her design was changed into a more suitable design, what turned her into a square shape, what made her more a battery, rather as a ship. Many people of Antwerp and elsewhere called the ship proudly ‘The Floating castle’. No one accepted any criticism, the ship was it, she would make our victory. The ship was strongly built, stick walls of wood protected with hay and straw. 24 heavy guns, a number of smaller and 500 soldiers all armed with muskets. Her masts would be bullet proof. In other words invincible and armed up to the teeth, as they would say in the Netherlands. As the ship was like a floating bucket, she had three rudders, although none of it would work and the ship was simple not controllable.
Dangerous as she appeared to be, she would fail obvious in the one task she was built for. During the Spanish siege of Antwerp [Southern Netherlands, nowadays Belgium] the town Antwerp tried supported by the Dutch Republic and their fleet, the so-called 'Staatse vloot' to attack the gigantic ship bridge made by the Spanish forces of Alexander Farnese, well known as Parma. The ship bridge was made to prevent the use of the Schelde river. How ever, a day before the ship the actual attack she stranded on 21 May because her still too deep draught. Settled in sand was she not able to continue her voyage and left behind by the rebels which took with them most of her guns. She was captured by the Spanish under the command of the count of Arenberg. Parma himself inspected the vessel, after a lot of rumours about a large weapon built by the enemy, he was finally able to see it and he ordered to break her up. She was nicknamed the Olifant [Elefant], Ark van Noach and Verlorenkost [waste of money/efforts]. More as 100.000 guilders was spent in something useless. Efforts to destroy the ship bridge with fire ships also failed. In August the same year was Antwerp captured by the Spanish forces.
