Historical description

The Zoutelande belonged to the Dutch West Indian Company (WIC). This counterpart of the Dutch East Indian Company had its main focus on the Atlantic and the West Indies. This included the Western parts of Africa and the Americas.

The WIC was founded in 1621 and just as the VOC it consisted of five chambers. The WIC imported sugar, cotton and tobacco, but became infamous because of the trade in slaves and "kaapvaart", which is the right to conquer other ships and claim their cargo.

Map of places most visited by the WIC.

Archaeological description

The Zoutelande sank in 1659 near White sand Bay, Cornwall in Great Britain. It has been salvaged by R. Cowan. But little is known from these excavations and their finds.

Name: Zoutelande.

Type: Armed merchantman.

The Zoutelande belonged to the Dutch West Indian Company (WIC). The Zoutelande sank in 1659 near White sand Bay, Cornwall (UK).

Merchantman ca. 1650 (Willem van Diest).