The Alkmaar was a merchantman hired by the Dutch West India Company ( WIC) to participate in the expedition of admiral Jol to conquer the Spanish silver fleet in 1640. The Alkmaar stranded on the coast of Cuba west of Havana during a violent storm on September 11th, 1640. Only 22 of the 130 crew members survived and managed to make it to the beach. They were imprisoned and taken to Havana.

Open source, editing RCE

Admiral Jol himself remained unharmed as he was on board a different ship. Jol was commissioned by the WIC to conquer the Spanish silver fleet bound for Havana. Throughout the 1630's, Jol chased down many Spanish ships whilst hoping to catch the biggest prize: a silver fleet. While he never managed to conquer a silver fleet, his efforts would continue to instill fear into the hearts and minds of the Spanish inhabitants of Cuba for many years.

Type: large merchant vessel (possibly a flute) hired by the WIC

Tonnage: 200 last

Crew: ca. 130

Armament: 12 bronze and 20 iron cannon

The ship was reportedly destroyed in the surf after it stranded.

• Archivo General de Indias, Audiencia de Santo Domingo
  ref. no. Legajo: 101. No.: 143B, pp Fecha: 11 de septiembre de 1640
• Wright, I. A. (1934)
  Nederlandsche zeevaarders op de eilanden in de Caraïbische zee en aan de kust van Columbia en Venezuela gedurende de jaren 1621-1648(9)..., II
  pp 45