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MaSS

stepping stones of maritime history

History

The Iepenrode, Flora and Paddenburg were enroute to the Netherlands from Batavia. However, prior to reaching the Cape, the convoy was separated in a storm off the Agulhas reef. Despite taking about a month longer to reach the Cape than the Flora and the Paddenburg, the Iepenrode was the only ship in the convoy that had not been damaged by the storm.

The Iepenrode did eventually meet its demise when a north-westerly gale on the morning of 21 May caused her to break free from her anchors and she was driven ashore. The shock of her striking the beach caused her masts to fall, and she broke up in the surf.

Some of the crew reached the shore, but many lives were lost.

A total of 9 vessels wrecked on the 21st of May 1737, which resulted in 208 lives and £160 000 of cargo being lost. At the time of the gale, the commanders of the ships were onshore to get the documentation for the fleet to leave for the Netherlands.

Description

Length139.2 Amsterdam feet (39.4 m)
Tonnage650 ton (325 last)

Status

The wreck of the Iepenrode has not yet been found as it lies beneath reclaimed land.

References

Down on 14 November

Wrecks of Flevoland

Burgzand Noord

13 Provinces

Dutch Presence in Cuba