The Zaan was traveling with a cargo of foodstuffs from Rotterdam to Reval (Tallinn). There were two passengers on board.

WW I naval mine
On November 9, 1919, at 18:45, the Zaan struck a mine 25 miles from the Terschellinger Bank light buoy. A violent explosion and vibration were observed in the ship, and the bow immediately began to sink. Within 10 minutes, the ZAAN had disappeared into the waves, dragging the starboard lifeboat, in which the two passengers and 20 crew members had taken their seats, along with it. All 22 of these persons perished in the waves.

Survivors
Four crew members, who had not been able to board this starboard lifeboat in time, managed to save themselves in the port lifeboat and were rescued by the Swedish salvage vessel 'Hermes' only after having endured 46 hours of hardship due to severe cold and hailstorms.

Victims
the following crew members are missing:

Captain J. Baardman, First Mate Kikkert, Third Mate E. Raus, Third Engineer M.W. Mellema, stokers G. Lammers, B. Braaf, T. van Eerden and W. Kuyper, sailors M. Strijbosch, G. van Eyk and A. Matlener, Light Seaman J. Kuit, Cook P. Princiepaal, Steward P. v. Oosterhout, Boys J. Klaverdijk, Jacob van Es and Dijkstra, Donkeyman J. Bennik.

Furthermore, the two passengers; Mr. Van Vijven from Schiedam, the name of one of them is still unknown.

• Marhisdata ID 7411