The Daniel Jan, with registration number KW 66, was a sailing lugger from the town of Katwijk in the Netherlands, built in 1912. On the day of her demise, the ship was on the way back to IJmuiden from fishing for herring on the North Sea.

Collision

Around 1:00 at night, a collision with the Martha Maria (VL 199) from Vlaardingen happened. During the collision, the two ships got entangled with one another. Because of this, the crew of the Daniel Jan could safely cross over to the other ship. There were no victims with this collision.

Research into the cause of the accident

The Dutch Shipping Council undertook an investigation into the incident. At the moment of the collision, a sailor was on the wheel of the VL 199, with the first mate keeping watch besides him. At 0:55 the first mate temporarily left his post to awaken the next watch and to check the fore hold for seawater that might have gotten in.

The sailor at the wheel was shortly distracted by the first mate working up front. He looked at him through the window, which caused him to let go of the steering wheel for a short while. Exactly at that moment, the collision took place.

Because of the incident, it was researched whether the first mate of the VL 199 could be held accountable because he had left the helmsman alone. He was acquitted of all charges.

Owner: K. Kleen, Katwijk

Spaarnestad Photo

• Centraal Visserij register 40013293.
• uitspraak van de raad voor de scheepsvaart.
• Leidsch dagblad 15-11-1915.