The 'Gouden Leeuw' (Golden Lyon of Flushingen) was a ship of the Dutch West India Company (WIC.) It is primarily known for the reputation it held among English ships. Captured by Robert Holmes on April 8, 1664, off the coast of Liberia.

The ship the Gouden Leeuw lay at anchor off Anta (Takoradi), a WIC fort on the Gold Coast, on February 26, 1662. Skipper Jacob Jansen was then .**

Cape Corso
Cape Coast Castle was a place of constant rivalry. Having started as a Swedish colony, it changed hands several times (Danish, Swedish, Dutch, and finally English). In 1663-1664, it was briefly in Dutch hands. Three WIC ships were involved in the 1663 siege: the Gouden Leeuw, Christina, and the Faam Cabo Corso.** The fort was in Swedish hands. While the Dutch ships were anchored, they were attacked by 2 Danish ships. The Danish Crown was formally an ally of the Netherlands but collaborated closely with the English in Africa to thwart the WIC.

NL-HaNA_4.VEL 105

This map was commissioned by Michiel de Ruyter in 1666 following his expedition against the English in Africa.

Captured
On March 28, 1664, the Gouden Leeuw was captured by Robert Holmes at Cape Palmas (Liberia). The Gouden Leeuw was attacked by 3 English ships and quickly overpowered and fell. When the English came aboard, a Dutch sailor tried to detonate the powder magazine. The English managed to prevent this. The WIC ship entered English service under the name Walcheren. (Ollard, 102)

• Ollard, R.L.
  Man of war.
  pp 102.