Medemblik was part of the fleet of the WIC commanded by Boudewijn Hendriksz. Instructed to reinforce the newly conquered stronghold Bahia de Todos os Sanctos in Brazil (1624). The fleet arrived to late (24th may 1625). Bahia was retaken and heavy fortified by the Spanish and Portugese.

Museo Prado

Hendriksz. split the fleet in two (1th August 1625). Twelve ships, under command of admiral Veron, went to the African coast with the objective to conquer Al Mina. Boudewijn Hendriksz. sailed with 18 ships to the Caribbean.

Puerto Rico
His new objective was conquer Puerto Rico. His fleet was near St. Vincent on the 30th of August to get water and vivres. They departed on 10 September and got in a violent storm. From the fleet 3 ships weren lost De Gele Zon, 'De Gouden Zon' and 'De Vlissingen'.

The fleet entered the narrow bay of San Juan. Once inside, the soldiers disembarked and occupied the city. However, the fort could not be taken. After almost a month Boudewijn had to retreat (1st of November) and left the harbor again under heavy fire. The Medemblik ran aground and had to be left behind. The ship was shot to pieces.

Back
The (by now depleted) battered fleet sailed on. After a number of minor successes, the new target became the city of Havana in Cuba. However, the city was far too well defended. The fleet sailed past it and sought shelter in the Bay of Cabañas, about 30 km west of Havana. There, Boudewijn Hendriksz died of illness on June 2, 1626. Vice-Admiral Adriaen Claesz immediately took command of the fleet on the spot. Due to a lack of authority over the crew, mutiny, and looming supply shortages, he found himself forced to abandon the attack on Cuba and return to the Netherlands with the main fleet in July 1626.

Type: ship, fregat
WIC chamber Noorderkwartier

Tonnage: 540, 270 last

Complement: 92 sailors, 34 soldiers

Armament: 8 bronze, 24 iron

• De Laet, I, 34, II, 101
• Atlas of mutual heritage