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MaSS

stepping stones of maritime history

History

The Bul van Hoorn was one of four wrecked ships that belonged to the Dutch West India Company (WIC) fleet of admiral Cornelis 'Peg Leg' Jol. When a hurricane raged through the area, the ship went down with all its cannons, taking with it the lives of a 100 men. Only 22 crew members made it to shore alive, where they were immediately arrested by the Spanish.

Admiral Jol himself remained unharmed as he was on board a different ship. Jol was commissioned by the WIC to conquer the Spanish silver fleet bound for Havana. Throughout the 1630's, Jol chased down many Spanish ships whilst hoping to catch the biggest prize: a silver fleet. While he never managed to conquer a silver fleet, his efforts would continue to instill fear into the hearts and minds of the Spanish inhabitants of Cuba for many years.

Description

Type: the Bul van Hoorn was an armed merchant ship of the urca type.

Crew: ca. 120

Armament: 6 bronze and 13 iron cannon

Illustration in black and white of a sailing ship at sea, side view.
Rijksmuseum
The Dubbele Arend, a WIC ship, part of an etching by Reinier Nooms, ca. 1650.
People on board122
Tonnage400 ton (200 last)

References

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