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MaSS

stepping stones of maritime history

History

The Botland was built in Middelburg, the Netherlands by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in 1769, and made three successful voyages to Asia and back to the Netherlands. After her outward voyage in 1779, the ship stayed in Asia. On 04-01-1783 the Botland was wrecked in the harbor of Colombo.

The Noord-Nieuwland in Table Bay (anonymous), ca. 1762
Iziko Museums/Wikimedia Commons
De Noord Nieuwland at the Table Bay, anonymous, 1762. This is a ship of a similar type.

Description

Yard: VOC yard Middelburg

Type: most likely a Dutch East Indiaman (spiegelretourschip), based on known specifications.

Tonnage: 1150 tons/575 last

It appears there were 259 people on board on her last outward voyage. It is not clear how many were on board during her demise.

Replica of the Dutch East Indiaman Amsterdam at the National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam.
Het Scheepvaartmuseum
Replica of the Dutch East Indiaman Amsterdam at the National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam.
SkipperJohnson, Jakob
People on board259
Length161' 4 ½" Amsterdam feet (45.7 m)

References

MaSS