The Walcheren was a ship of the line sailing for the Dutch Admirality. Admiral Cornelis Evertsen the Youngest was in command of the Walcheren. The ship had fought in the English-Dutch wars in which it had participated in some of the larger naval battles. In 1688 The Walcheren participated in the glorious revolution. The Dutch Prince William's successful invasion of England with a Dutch fleet and army led to his ascension of the English throne as king William III.

Erfgoedhuis Zuid-Holland

Cornelis Evertsen the Youngest.

When the Walcheren returned to the port of Flushing (Vlissingen) from this expedition in 1689, she was welcomed by a large crowd of approximately 6000 people.

The Walcheren struck a pier while sailing too close to the coast trying to enter the port and sank in front of the crowd. Between 20-40 people died. After this unfortunate event the wreck of the Walcheren blocked the entrance to the harbour resulting in the destruction of the ship by blowing it up in order to clear the entrance to the port of Flushing for shipping.

Arthur Scheijde/STIBOZ

The tragic event of the Walcheren depicted.

Yard: Flushing (Vlissingen).

Armament : 70 guns.

Arthur Scheijde/STIBOZ

Impression of the Walcheren.

Several attempts have been made to find the remains of the Walcheren. The most recent were in July and December of 2012 by the diving group of the Dutch Navy and local specialists. Research was done with an ROV (Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle), sonar and divers attempting to scan the seabed for remains of the ship. The search was quite challenging due to strong currents and bad visibility underwater. In July, part of a wooden beam and some bricks, presumably belonging to an oven, were found. In December another part of a brick structure was found. It could be a part of a galley.

Although The Walcheren sank on the spot that was researched and the recent finds seem to be of a wreck this is no proof that the remains are of the Walcheren.

Fred Groen/STIBOZ

Piece of wood from a ship, possibly from the Walcheren.

• NOS article.
• NRC article.
• Bender, J. (2014).
  Dutch warships in the age of sail (1600-1714).
  Seaforth Publishing.
• De Jonge, J.C. (1859).
  Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen. III .p 190.