The Gelderland formed part of the first large fleet that the Dutch West India Company (WIC) sent to conquer Brazil. This ship played an important role in the taking of San Salvador in the Bahia de Todos os Santos (Bay of All Saints) om May 10th, 1624. Under vice admiral Piet Hein the Gelderland, together with the Groeningen and the Nassau, sailed until close under the city batteries. These were taken, which was a key moment in the conquering of the city.

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The ship later saw action again. On August 4th, a squadron under Piet Hien (consisting of the Neptunus, Hollandia, Gelderland and the Zee-Jager) sailed to Angola to capture Luanda. This did not succeed.

The ship is mentioned once again in 1630, when it arrived in Recife. It is not clear what became of the ship.

Built: yard, Amsterdam, before 1623
Owner: WIC chamber Amsterdam

Tonnage: 300 last
Master: Gerrit Douwens (1623) Pieter Gerritsz Root (1628)
Armament: 4 bronze cannon , 28 iron cannon

Het Scheepvaartmuseum

• Laet, J. de (1644)
  Historie ofte iaerlijck verhael van de verrichtinghen der geoctroyeerde West-Indische Compagnie, zedert haer begin, tot het eynde van 't jaer sesthien-hondert ses-en-dertich
  pp 20, 198,