The Stad Tholen (usually Tholen) was a small frigate in the service of the 'Second WIC' (1674-1791). The ship was acquired from the bankrupt estate of the First WIC.
The Stad Tholen departed from the Netherlands in late January 1675 and was ordered to take on 80 to 100 slaves in 'Goeree' (Cabo Verde). The ship departed from there on March 12 with 103 enslaved people to the WIC colony of Essequebo in South America (present-day Guyana).*

WB NA VELH-268-det

The colony of Essequebo. On the left, Fort Kijk Overal is located within the square. On the right, the delta and the location where the Stad Tholen ran aground and was wrecked. (View the entire map NA VELH_ 268))

Essequebo
Upon arrival, De Stad Tholen anchored in the roadstead of Essequebo. All ships then sailed into the broad mouth of the Essequibo and dropped anchor off the small island where Fort Kijk Overal (near Bartica, 85 km upstream) was located. There, the 83 unfortunate survivors who were still alive were sold.

And a cargo was taken on for the Netherlands. Usually sugar and dyewood. Shortly after leaving Fort Kijk Overal, the Tholen perished 'in the river Essequibo'.

The crew managed to save themselves. Skipper Convent was later called to account in the Netherlands. He was not deemed responsible for the sinking of the Stad Tholen. In 1678 he was once again captain of the ship Issequibo..¹

RAZ_L105-187

*) Essequebo (called Isekepe in the 18th century) was a colony owned by the West India Company (WIC) from 1616 to 1815 in the region of the river of the same name on the northern coast of South America. Today, the area is part of independent Guyana.

• RAZ, verzameling (afschriften van) stukken betreffende de West-Indische Compagnie (WIC) en betreffende diverse zaken, met inhoudsopgave, 1565-1730. 1 band
  ref. no. 105 Recueil L, pp 187
• Nationaal Archief, 1.05.01.02
  ref. no. 330, pp 293
• slavevoyages
  VOyage ID 10326