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stepping stones of maritime history

History

De Diemermeer made two voyages to Asia for the VOC chamber Zeeland. The first departure started on December 18, 1659 from Wielingen with destination Batavia. She arrived there on July 8, 1660.

Second voyage
The Diemermeer was back in the Netherlands on November 28 1665. Her second trip started on July 29, 1666. She arrived in Batavia on May 3, 1667. The fluteship subsequently continued to serve in Asia and at the end of its career was used to bring money, supplies and personnel to Ambon with the intention of returning with cloves.


The Diemermeer had loaded cloves on Ambon, which were destined for Batavia (26-4-1670). The flute was equipped with load ports, but they were boarded up. On Ambon another load of building materials (planks and masonry blocks) was destined for Banda. In addition, collect large beams from Ceram that were also intended for Banda.

Because the Diemermeer had load ports, it was decided to transfer the load of cloves to another flute (Wapen van Hoorn) and then send De Diemermeer with the building materials to Banda. (8-6-1670).

paDe afbeelding toont een historische weergave van Banda Neira, een vulkanisch eiland in de Banda-eilanden van Indonesië. inting of the sea, with a coastal town and an active volcano in the distance
paDe afbeelding toont een historische weergave van Banda Neira, een vulkanisch eiland in de Banda-eilanden van Indonesië. inting of the sea, with a coastal town and an active volcano in the distance

Stranded
On June 27, 1670 she arrived safely at Fort Nassau on Banda. 
There was a need for haste as the flute had to make the journey to Ceram and back to Banda before the monsoon season. Unfortunately, there were no small vessels available to transfer the cargo from De Diemermeer to the island. An attempt was made to bring the flute to a release point on the island itself, which involved maneuvering close to the Gunung Api.

De afbeelding toont een historische kaart van Neira, een van de Banda-eilanden in Indonesië.
NL-HaNA_4.VEL_484
De afbeelding toont een historische kaart van Neira, een van de Banda-eilanden in Indonesië.

The Red dot on thr South East coast of Gunung Banda Api is the possible location off the Diemermeer.

Most of the flute's equipment was recovered, but some of the stone load remained among the cliffs. Although no human lives were lost, the chief carpenter on Banda was convicted for the accident because he was said to have acted too carelessly, causing the ship to end up on the rocks in front of the shipyard.

Description

Built: VOC yard Amsterdam, 1659

Dimensions: 134 x 29 ft
Tonnage: 202 last, (505 tons)
Master: Engel Jansz.

References

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