November 2, 1568 - Antwerp - Joris Van Spilbergen is born
January(?) 1(?), 1596 - Veere, Walcheren - Undertakes voyages to the Gulf of Guinea (attempt to conquer Elmina?)
March 1(?), 1598 - Veere, Walcheren - Balthasar de Moucheron sets sail for the Gulf of Guinea with Joris van Spilbergen
August 10, 1598 - Príncipe Island (St.Tomé and Principe) - The island of Príncipe is briefly occupied. Support ships arrive too late to avoid it
November 10(?), 1598 - Príncipe Island (St.Tomé and Principe) - After 3 months of occupation, many men become ill and some die of marshfever. The bad weather and attacks from the Portuguese of São Tomé force the dutch to abandon the island
May 15, 1599 - Vlissingen - Moucheron's 2nd Expedition to conquer São Tomé
February 1(?), 1600 - Veere, Walcheren - Return from the Coast of Guinea
May 5, 1601 - Veere, Walcheren - Van Spilbergen sets sail to the East Indies in another expedition equipped by the Compagnie de Moucheron, with the "Lam", the "Ram", and the "Schaap"
May 9, 1601 - Dartmouth - Driven to the haven of Dartmouth by a storm. A leak in one of the ships floods its stores of bread
May 15, 1601 - Dartmouth - Van Spilbergen sets sail with better wind and with new provisions, passing Plymouth on the same day
May 29, 1601 - Off Madeira Island - Van Spilbergen reaches Madeira Island
May 31, 1601 - Off Las Palmas - Van Spilbergen reaches the Canary Islands
May 9, 1601 - Dartmouth - Driven to the haven of Dartmouth by a storm. A leak in one of the ships floods its stores of bread
May 15, 1601 - Dartmouth - Van Spilbergen sets sail with better wind and with new provisions, passing Plymouth on the same day
May 29, 1601 - Off Madeira Island - Van Spilbergen reaches Madeira Island
May 31, 1601 - Off Las Palmas - Van Spilbergen reaches the Canary Islands
June 11, 1601 - "Puerto/puorto Daele/Dale" (Mouth of River Gambia) - Three portuguese caravels at anchor open fire against the dutch without consequences
June 18(?), 1601 - "Puerto/puorto Daele/Dale" (Mouth of River Gambia) - A week later, after minor repairs, the dutch depart the mouth of River Gambia
July 14, 1601 - Off the Coast of Sierra Leone - Van Spilbergen passes off the Coast of Sierra Leone and sees Pyrard de Laval's two ships
June 18(?), 1601 - "Puerto/puorto Daele/Dale" (Mouth of River Gambia) - A week later, after minor repairs, the dutch depart the mouth of River Gambia
July 14, 1601 - Off the Coast of Sierra Leone - Van Spilbergen passes off the Coast of Sierra Leone and sees Pyrard de Laval's two ships
July 26, 1601 - Annobón Island - Van Spilbergen reaches Annobon, passing by Corisco Island (Equatorial Guinea) and Cape Lopez (Gabon). He lands to ask for refreshments. The dutch hand the authorities a letter
August 30, 1601 - Annobón Island - The dutch embark and continue their voyage
August 30, 1601 - Annobón Island - The dutch embark and continue their voyage
November 15, 1601 - St.Helena Island - Van Spilbergen reaches St.Helena Island
November 20, 1601 - St.Helena Island - The fleet weighs anchor and continues voyage
December 1, 1601 - Dassen Island, South Africa - Van Spilbergen discovers Dassen Island, in South Africa
November 20, 1601 - St.Helena Island - The fleet weighs anchor and continues voyage
December 1, 1601 - Dassen Island, South Africa - Van Spilbergen discovers Dassen Island, in South Africa
December 2, 1601 - Table Bay (NW Cape Town, South Africa) - Van Spilbergen reaches a bay which he calls "Table Bay" by reason of a high mountain, flat on top and square like a table. He lands and the dutch are granted permission to bring a tent ashore for the ill of their ships.
December 23, 1601 - Table Bay - Van Spilbergen sails from Table Bay
December 23, 1601 - Table Bay - Van Spilbergen sails from Table Bay
December 26, 1601 - Cape of Good Hope - Crossing the Cape (we suppose during a storm), the "Ram" looses contact with the "Lam" and "Schaap"
February 2, 1602 - Sofala, Mozambique - Van Spilbergen arrives at Sofala and sends a delegation ashore. The natives, however, are not interested in trading
February 21, 1602 - Comoros Islands - Takes provisions
April 4, 1602 - Comoros Islands - Van Spilbergen weighs anchor and sails to India
February 21, 1602 - Comoros Islands - Takes provisions
April 4, 1602 - Comoros Islands - Van Spilbergen weighs anchor and sails to India
May 26, 1602 - Kanyakumari (Cape Camorin), India - Van Spilbergen reaches the southern tip of India
May 28, 1602 - Off Point de Galle, Ceylon - Van Spilbergen reaches Ceylon
May 28, 1602 - Off Point de Galle, Ceylon - Van Spilbergen reaches Ceylon
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| Van Spilbergen meeting King Vimaladharmasuriya I of Kandy in 1602 |
May 31, 1602 - Batticaloa, Ceylon - Van Spilbergen anchors in Batticaloa harbour with the "Lam" and the "Schaap" after twelve months of voyage. He stays for 4 months
July 3, 1602 - Batticaloa, Ceylon - The "Ram" arrives in Batticaloa
July 6, 1602 - Kandy, Ceylon - Van Spilbergen meets King Vimaladharmasuriya I of Kandy
September 3, 1602 - Batticaloa, Ceylon - After negotiating with the King of Kandy, van Spilbergen sets sail to Aceh
September 16, 1602 - North of Sumatra - Arrival in Sumatra
October 3, 1602 - Strait of Malacca - Van Spilbergen, Lancaster and Middleton join forces and take a portuguese ship which crosses their way
October 21, 1602 - Strait of Malacca - Van Spilbergen heads to Aceh with Lancaster
October 24, 1602 - Banda, Aceh - Van Spilbergen returns to Aceh
January(?) 1(?), 1603 - Aceh, Sumatra - Two Dutch East India Company ships arrive in Aceh. Van Spilbergen sells them one of his ships
March 7, 1603 - Aceh, Sumatra - Guyon Lefort, from the "Lam", is accused of conspiracy by van Spilbergen, and is killed
April 27, 1603 - Bantam, Java - Van Spilbergen arrives in Bantam and finds assembled there nine dutch ships (Van Warwijck arrived from Holland earlier on the same day)
August 30, 1603 - Aceh, Sumatra - Van Spilbergen sets sail to Holland with a cargo of pepper, ambergris, silk, porcelain, nutmeg and mace
November 8, 1603 - Cape of Good Hope - Van Spilbergen rounds the Cape of Good Hope
November 26, 1603 - St.Helena Island - Arrival at St.Helena Island
December 29, 1603 - St.Helena Island - After more than a month, the two ships set sail to Holland
January 14, 1604 - Line of the Equator - Van Spilbergen crosses the line of the Equator
March 24, 1604 - Vlissingen - Van Spilbergen returns to Vlissingen
March(?) 22(?), 1607 - Texel - Van Spilbergen departs with Van Heemskerck's fleet on a pre-emptive strike expedition to Gibraltar, to force negociations
March 29, 1607 - Isle of Wight - Van Heemskerck's fleet of twenty four ships assemble at the Isle of Wight
April 10, 1607 - River Tagus Mouth, Portugal - Van Heemskerck sends a lugger in trading disguise ro reconnoitre the river. He ascertained by his spies, sent in this and subsequently in other directions, as well as by occasional merchantmen spoken with at sea, that the Portuguese fleet for India would not be ready to sail for many weeks; that no valuable argosies were yet to be looked for from America, but that a great war fleet, comprising many galleons of the largest size, was at that very moment cruising in the Straits of Gibraltar
April 22, 1607 - River Tagus Mouth, Portugal - Van Heemskerk sets course to Gibraltar after listening to a merchant that saw the Spanish fleet there
April 25, 1607 - Bay of Gibraltar - Van Heemskerk arrives in the Strait of Gibraltar in the morning. After the spanish fleet is found at anchor inside the Bay of Gibraltar, Van Spilbergen goes aboard the "Aeolus", Van Heemskerk's flagship. Off Tangiers | Strait of Gibraltar - Battle of Gibraltar - Great dutch victory - No quarter is given. Such of the victims as succeeded in throwing themselves overboard, out of the "San Agustin", or any of the burning or sinking ships, were pursued by the Netherlanders, who rowed about among them in boats, shooting, stabbing, and drowning their victims by hundreds. It was a sickening spectacle. The bay, said those who were there, seemed sown with corpses. Probably two or three thousand were thus put to death, or had met their fate before. Had the chivalrous Heemskerk lived, it is possible that he might have stopped the massacre.
April 27, 1607 - Off Ceuta - As a ship with the embalmed body of Van Heemskerk sails to Holland, the rest of the fleet heads south to repair the badly damaged ships. The garrison at Ceuta tries to sink the ships with cannon shots
April 28, 1607 - Tetouan, Morocco - Brief visit to Tetouan, where the dutch are rapturously received by the Bey
May 7, 1607 - Off Cape St.Vincent, Portugal - With favourable wind, Van Spilbergen sails out of the Strait area
May 9, 1607 - Off Cape St.Vincent, Portugal - Van Spilbergen writes a letter from his ship
January(?) 1(?), 1609 - Paris - Van Spilbergen travels to Paris together with Isaac Le Maire and Balthazar de Moucheron, to discuss the formation of a french East India Company
August 8, 1614 - Texel - Van Spilbergen sets sail to the Pacific Ocean with six ships: "Groote Sonne", "Groote Mane", "Jager (yacht)", "Meeuwe", "Aeolus" and "Morgenster"
August 16, 1614 - Off Dungeness, England - Van Spilbergen reaches Dungeness and sees the "Aeolus" at anchor. It is decided to sail to the Downs
September 2, 1614 - Off Isle of Wight - Van Spilbergen's ships are unable to sail west due to headwinds. At the same time he is informed that the "Aeolus" is leaking badly. They decide to anchor before the castle of the Isle of Wight
September 16, 1614 - Off Isle of Wight - After inspecting the fleet on the 15th, Van Spilbergen weighs anchor and continues his voyage
October 3, 1614 - Atlantic Ocean - The dutch ships cross the latitude of Madeira Island
October 9, 1614 - Off Gran Canaria, Canary Islands - Passage through the Canary Islands
October 21, 1614 - Brava Island/Fogo Island, Cape Verde Islands - The fleet sees the Islands of Brava and Fogo, in Cape Verde
October 24, 1614 - Coast of Africa, east of Cape Verde - Van Spilbergen looks for a safe anchorage for his ships. Finding none, he heads to open Sea again
December 9, 1614 - Abrolhos Shoals, Brazil - Collective prayer as the ships safely pass the dangerous Abrolhos Shoals
December 13, 1614 - Coast of Brazil - The dutch ships come in sight of Brazil
December 20, 1614 - Ilha Grande, Coast of Rio de Janeiro - Van Spilbergen anchors between two islands on 20th, then anchors at Ilha Grande on 21st to load provisions
December 24, 1614 - Ilha Grande, Coast of Rio de Janeiro - Van Spilbergen goes ashore with the carpenters to set up huts for the sick
December 30, 1614 - (While in Ilha Grande) - The fleet is alerted by the sound of cannon fire from the "Jager", which was sent to load fresh water at a river not far from the Island. Several dutch crewmen are killed by a group of portuguese and mestizos. When the dutch pursue them in three small boats, they find two portuguese frigates protecting them, and perceiving their disadvantage, they come back to the fleet
January 1, 1615 - Ilha Grande, Coast of Rio de Janeiro - Van Spilbergen summons his council after signs of treason - four prisoners are taken to his ship, accused or running away from the "Meeuwe" with the yacht, in order to make themselves masters of the latter and use her to their own advantage
January 5, 1615 - Ilha Grande, Coast of Rio de Janeiro - The prisoners are distributed between ships. The "Meeuwe" gets a fresh crew, and two of the prisoners are hanged on the yard arm and shot by six musketeers
January 14, 1615 - Ilha Grande, Coast of Rio de Janeiro - The prisoners and accomplices of treason come aboard the flagship and beg for pardon on their knees. The council decides to release them on parole and distribute them amongst other ships
January 15, 1615 - Coast of Brazil - Van Spilbergen sets course to northwest by north in direction of the mainland
January 18, 1615 - São Vicente Bay, Santos - Attempts begin to negotiate with the portuguese, who were formally not authorized by the Spanish Crown to commerce with the dutch
January 26, 1615 - São Vicente Bay, Santos - Van Spilbergen stops a small barque from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro. Fearing for their lives, the crewmen inform the dutch admiral that there's still ten or twelve of their men prisoners at Rio de Janeiro, including Lieutenant François Duchesne
February 4, 1615 - São Vicente Bay, Santos - Van Spilbergen finally sets sail at the fourth attempt (due to days of calm)
March 7, 1615 - Off Rio Gallegos, Argentina - The fleet sees the river Gallegos but decides not to enter for being shallow and dangerous to the ships. Further south, they anchor at Cape Virgenes, the last cape before the Strait of Magellan
March 8, 1615 - Cape Virgenes - The ships are scattered by violent storms and contrary winds
March 27, 1615 - Coast of Tierra del Fuego, near the Strait's entrance - The ships reunite again near the entrance to the Strait of Magellan, but with difficult winds
April 3, 1615 - Strait of Magellan - Van Spilbergen finally sails into the Strait of Magellan.
April 16, 1615 - Strait of Magellan - After being forced to stay at anchor several times with very slow South-southeast progress, suddenly the Strait turns to the west and northwest
April 23, 1615 - Strait of Magellan - All ships reunite again. Van Spilbergen invites all officers to dinner on board his ship. After days of eating mussels, they are "well regaled there with many fresh dishes of meat, pork, poultry, oranges, lemons, candied peel and marmalades, most of which he had procured at São Vicente; also with olives, capers, good spanish and french wine, dutch beer", among other things. They enjoy "a fine concert of various instruments and music of many voices"
May 6, 1615 - Pacific Ocean - Van Spilbergen reaches the Pacific Ocean, with the ships sailing in a perilous area of violent waves and many islets and rocks
May 21, 1615 - S. of Mocha Island - The Island of Mocha is seen just before they head west for a while
May 23, 1615 - Mocha Island - Van Spilbergen reaches the Island of Mocha but is unable to anchor because of the winds
May 26, 1615 - Mocha Island - Four boats with the Admiral and some members of the Council are sent ashore with merchandise. The inhabitants welcome them and offer them all kinds of provisions - such as sheep, fowls, and other poultry, both cooked and raw. The chief of the island is welcomed aboard and entertained by Van Spilbergen, who shows him the ship
May 27, 1615 - Mocha Island - Van Spilbergen has all his troops drawn up in order on the ship fully armed, which pleases the inhabitants very much. The dutch weigh anchor and head north
May 28, 1615 - Off Santa Maria Island, Chile - The Island of Santa Maria is sighted. After summoning the Council, the "Jager" collides with the flagship's bow, doing much damage
May 29, 1615 - Santa Maria Island - Van Spilbergen anchors, leaving a sergeant on land with the indians and taking a spaniard as hostage
May 31, 1615 - Santa Maria Island - Armed men are seen marching straight to them. Van Spilbergen disembarks with three companies of soldiers and skirmishes happen. The spaniards loose 4 men and a large quantity of provisions. The rest are able to flee on horseback
June 3, 1615 - Off Concepción, Chile - The fleet anchors off Concepción and stays there until June 11th
June 12, 1615 - Valparaiso, Chile - Arrival in Valparaíso. Van Spilbergen lands with 200 soldiers, but the spanish burn the only ship they had there and their houses, fleeing inland
June 14, 1615 - Bay of Quintero, Chile - The dutch land to load fresh water in a small river. All spaniards in Chile are warned of their presence
July 2, 1615 - Arica, Northern Chile - Arrival in Arica, the port to where the Silver from Potosi is transported. However, finding no spanish galleons, the fleet continues to the north
July 17, 1615 - Coast of Peru - Naval battle against a spanish fleet of 7 ships under Don Rodrigo de Mendoza, who scorns the dutch force. The fight begins during the night. On the next day, the "Santa Ana" and the "San Francisco" are sunk
July 20, 1615 - Bay of Callao, Peru - At the Bay of Callao, 14 merchant ships are anchored, however, a shore battery almost sinks the "Morgensterre". The merchant ships sail too close to land for the dutch fleet to engage
July 26, 1615 - Bay of Callao, Peru - Unable to take any ships, Van Spilbergen weighs anchor
July 28, 1615 - Huarmey - Arrival in Huarmey. The dutch land to find a fine harbour but all houses empty
August 8, 1615 - Paita, N. Peru - Van Spilbergen's fleet anchors in Paita. The city is bombarded and plundered on August 10th
August 21, 1615 - Paita, N; Peru - Van Spilbergen heads north in search of Cocos Island (Costa Rica)
August 23, 1615 - Rio de Tumbez - Van Spilbergen anchors at the River Tumbez
September 7, 1615 - Off Cocos Island - They pass by Cocos Island, which is not found, due to continuous days of storms, rain, whirlwinds and lightning
September 13, 1615 - Off Cocos Island - Six more days of continuous storm. The crew begins to suffer from maladies without fresh food
October 11, 1615 - Acapulco - Van Spilbergen arrives in Acapulco and is welcomed by the spanish, after sending in a boat with a white flag
October 18, 1615 - Acapulco - The fleet departs from Acapulco, loaded with all kinds of provisions, having released the spanish prisoners aboard.
November 10, 1615 - Salagua - The fleet anchors at Salagua
November 15, 1615 - Barra de Navidad, Mexico - Van Spilbergen arrives to the harbour of Navidad
November 20, 1615 - Barra de Navidad, Mexico - The dutch weigh anchor
November 25, 1615 - Not far from Cape Corrientes, Lower California - The Council meets aboard Van Spilbergen's ship and it is decided to set course for the Bay of St.Lucas, Lower California
December 2, 1615 - Near the Cape of St.Lucas - Van Spilbergen decides to cross the Pacific Ocean, heading to Ladrones Island
January 24, 1616 - Ladrones Islands, Off Macao - Van Spilbergen arrives to Ladrones Islands after only 58 days voyage. The Natives bring many fruits that restore the health of the crew. The ships are loaded with fine fruits and other victuals
January 27, 1616 - Ladrones Islands, Off Macao - The Cannons and muskets accidentaly frighten the natives and Van Spilbergen sets sail to Manila
February 8, 1616 - Cape Espiritu Santo, NE Samar Island, E Philippines - The dutch come into sight of Cape Espiritu Santo, East Central Philippines. Go ashore on the 9th but are denied of commerce by the natives allied to the spanish
February 10, 1616 - Capul Island, Philippines - The dutch anchor at Capul, in Central Philippines, commercing with the natives
February 19, 1616 - Near Luzón Island - Van Spilbergen anchors at the next Luzón Island
February 25, 1616 - Near Albay mountain (Mayon Vulcano) - The dutch pass close to the Albay vulcano, that is burning and full of sulphur
February 30, 1616 - Mariveles, opposite of Manilla - Van Spilbergen anchors outside the entrance to the Manilla Harbour
March 3, 1616 - Corregidor Island, Manilla Bay entrance - Unable to sail inside the bay with adverse winds, Van Spilbergen anchors at Corregidor Island. A merchant is taken, laden with rice, oil, fowls, fruit and other food, which is very serviceable for the sick in the fleet
March 10, 1616 - Corregidor Island, Manilla Bay entrance - Van Spilbergen sets sail to the Moluccas, after taking several small merchant boats
March 20, 1616 - Cape La Caldera, westernmost point of Mindanao Island - Van Spilbergen reaches Cape La Caldera
March 23, 1616 - Between Taguima (Basilan Island) and Mindanao - The fleet spends 3 days without wind, moving slowly in the current. During the delay, the ships are loaded with many products brought by the canoes from the shore
March 27, 1616 - Off Pulau Sangihe (Sangir Island) - With favourable wind, Van Spilbergen passes close to Sangir Island
March 29, 1616 - Ternate - Arrival in Ternate
May 1, 1616 - Ternate - Van Spilbergen invites to dinner on board his ship all the captains of the soldiers, lieutenants, ensigns and other officers, as well as the merchants, skippers and pilots, giving them all the best cheer possible
May 2, 1616 - Makian - Van Spilbergen sets sail to Makian, in order to prevent the enemy from supplying foreign vessels there with cloves
May 12, 1616 - Tidore - Van Spilbergen hears through an english captain that Jan Dircksen Lam arrived in Banda with 12 warships and many soldiers and sailors, and that on the 10th of April he took the Island of Pulo Way, by force
June 1, 1616 - Ternate - Van Spilbergen anchors at Maleya Fort, Ternate. Twelve other dutch ships join him from Amboyna
July 8, 1616 - Ternate - Van Spilbergen receives orders to proceed to Bantam
July 15, 1616 - Pulau Buton Island (SE Sulawesi) - Arrival in Pulau Buton
August 25, 1616 - Japara, North Coast of Java - Van Spilbergen reaches Japara, where he takes in supplies of rice and other provisions
September 15, 1616 - Bantam, Java - Arrival in Bantam
September 30(?), 1616 - Bantam, Java - The ship "West Vriesen" arrives, aboard which 28 men intended to overpower it and make themselves masters of it. The ringleader is quartered at Bantam, some of them hanged, after their fingers had been cut off, and the rest, who were least guilty, condemned to the galleys and other forms of slavery
December 12, 1616 - Bantam, Java - Captain Steven Doessens arrives in Bantam from Lambe (East Sumatra) with the ships "Wapen van Amsterdam" and "Middelburch"
December 14, 1616 - Bantam, Java - Van Spilbergen sets sail to Holland with the "Wapen van Amsterdam" and the "Middelburch", taking Jacob Le Maire and Willem Schouten with him
December 22, 1616 - Indian Ocean - Jacob Le Maire dies aboard the "Wapen van Amsterdam", "caused by the affront and harshness put upon him"
January 24, 1617 - Off Mauritius Island - Van Spilbergen reaches Mauritius by nightfall, where he anchors, taking in supply of water and other provisions
January 30, 1617 - Mauritius Island - The two dutch ships resume voyage
February 1, 1617 - Reunion - The dutch see and pass the Island of Reunion (Mascarenhas)
March 11, 1617 - W of Cape of Good Hope - Van Spilbergen crosses the Cape and sets course Northwest by north
March 30, 1617 - St.Helena Island, South Atlantic - Van Spilbergen reaches St.Helena Island. The other dutch ship is waiting there
April 7, 1617 - St.Helena Island - Van Spilbergen resumes voyage
April 14, 1617 - Off Ascension Island - The crew sees Ascension Island by moonlight
May 13, 1617 - N Sal Island, Cape Verde - The dutch pass north of Sal Island, Cape Verde
July 1, 1617 - Zeeland - Van Spilbergen arrives in Zeeland (Vlissingen / Middelburg)
January 31, 1620 - Bergen-op-Zoom - Joris Van Spilbergen dies a poor man, aged 51 =(END)
Bibliography
LOTHROP MOTLEY, John - "History of the United Netherlands: From the death of William the Silent to the Twelve Years' Truce - 1609."
MONTEIRO, Saturnino - "Batalhas e Combates da Marinha Portuguesa", Vols. IV & V
October 24, 1602 - Banda, Aceh - Van Spilbergen returns to Aceh
January(?) 1(?), 1603 - Aceh, Sumatra - Two Dutch East India Company ships arrive in Aceh. Van Spilbergen sells them one of his ships
March 7, 1603 - Aceh, Sumatra - Guyon Lefort, from the "Lam", is accused of conspiracy by van Spilbergen, and is killed
April 27, 1603 - Bantam, Java - Van Spilbergen arrives in Bantam and finds assembled there nine dutch ships (Van Warwijck arrived from Holland earlier on the same day)
August 30, 1603 - Aceh, Sumatra - Van Spilbergen sets sail to Holland with a cargo of pepper, ambergris, silk, porcelain, nutmeg and mace
November 8, 1603 - Cape of Good Hope - Van Spilbergen rounds the Cape of Good Hope
November 26, 1603 - St.Helena Island - Arrival at St.Helena Island
December 29, 1603 - St.Helena Island - After more than a month, the two ships set sail to Holland
January 14, 1604 - Line of the Equator - Van Spilbergen crosses the line of the Equator
March 24, 1604 - Vlissingen - Van Spilbergen returns to Vlissingen
March(?) 22(?), 1607 - Texel - Van Spilbergen departs with Van Heemskerck's fleet on a pre-emptive strike expedition to Gibraltar, to force negociations
March 29, 1607 - Isle of Wight - Van Heemskerck's fleet of twenty four ships assemble at the Isle of Wight
April 10, 1607 - River Tagus Mouth, Portugal - Van Heemskerck sends a lugger in trading disguise ro reconnoitre the river. He ascertained by his spies, sent in this and subsequently in other directions, as well as by occasional merchantmen spoken with at sea, that the Portuguese fleet for India would not be ready to sail for many weeks; that no valuable argosies were yet to be looked for from America, but that a great war fleet, comprising many galleons of the largest size, was at that very moment cruising in the Straits of Gibraltar
April 22, 1607 - River Tagus Mouth, Portugal - Van Heemskerk sets course to Gibraltar after listening to a merchant that saw the Spanish fleet there
April 25, 1607 - Bay of Gibraltar - Van Heemskerk arrives in the Strait of Gibraltar in the morning. After the spanish fleet is found at anchor inside the Bay of Gibraltar, Van Spilbergen goes aboard the "Aeolus", Van Heemskerk's flagship. Off Tangiers | Strait of Gibraltar - Battle of Gibraltar - Great dutch victory - No quarter is given. Such of the victims as succeeded in throwing themselves overboard, out of the "San Agustin", or any of the burning or sinking ships, were pursued by the Netherlanders, who rowed about among them in boats, shooting, stabbing, and drowning their victims by hundreds. It was a sickening spectacle. The bay, said those who were there, seemed sown with corpses. Probably two or three thousand were thus put to death, or had met their fate before. Had the chivalrous Heemskerk lived, it is possible that he might have stopped the massacre.
April 27, 1607 - Off Ceuta - As a ship with the embalmed body of Van Heemskerk sails to Holland, the rest of the fleet heads south to repair the badly damaged ships. The garrison at Ceuta tries to sink the ships with cannon shots
April 28, 1607 - Tetouan, Morocco - Brief visit to Tetouan, where the dutch are rapturously received by the Bey
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| Battle of Gibraltar, 1607 |
May 9, 1607 - Off Cape St.Vincent, Portugal - Van Spilbergen writes a letter from his ship
January(?) 1(?), 1609 - Paris - Van Spilbergen travels to Paris together with Isaac Le Maire and Balthazar de Moucheron, to discuss the formation of a french East India Company
August 8, 1614 - Texel - Van Spilbergen sets sail to the Pacific Ocean with six ships: "Groote Sonne", "Groote Mane", "Jager (yacht)", "Meeuwe", "Aeolus" and "Morgenster"
August 16, 1614 - Off Dungeness, England - Van Spilbergen reaches Dungeness and sees the "Aeolus" at anchor. It is decided to sail to the Downs
September 2, 1614 - Off Isle of Wight - Van Spilbergen's ships are unable to sail west due to headwinds. At the same time he is informed that the "Aeolus" is leaking badly. They decide to anchor before the castle of the Isle of Wight
September 16, 1614 - Off Isle of Wight - After inspecting the fleet on the 15th, Van Spilbergen weighs anchor and continues his voyage
October 3, 1614 - Atlantic Ocean - The dutch ships cross the latitude of Madeira Island
October 9, 1614 - Off Gran Canaria, Canary Islands - Passage through the Canary Islands
October 21, 1614 - Brava Island/Fogo Island, Cape Verde Islands - The fleet sees the Islands of Brava and Fogo, in Cape Verde
October 24, 1614 - Coast of Africa, east of Cape Verde - Van Spilbergen looks for a safe anchorage for his ships. Finding none, he heads to open Sea again
December 9, 1614 - Abrolhos Shoals, Brazil - Collective prayer as the ships safely pass the dangerous Abrolhos Shoals
December 13, 1614 - Coast of Brazil - The dutch ships come in sight of Brazil
December 20, 1614 - Ilha Grande, Coast of Rio de Janeiro - Van Spilbergen anchors between two islands on 20th, then anchors at Ilha Grande on 21st to load provisions
December 24, 1614 - Ilha Grande, Coast of Rio de Janeiro - Van Spilbergen goes ashore with the carpenters to set up huts for the sick
December 30, 1614 - (While in Ilha Grande) - The fleet is alerted by the sound of cannon fire from the "Jager", which was sent to load fresh water at a river not far from the Island. Several dutch crewmen are killed by a group of portuguese and mestizos. When the dutch pursue them in three small boats, they find two portuguese frigates protecting them, and perceiving their disadvantage, they come back to the fleet
January 1, 1615 - Ilha Grande, Coast of Rio de Janeiro - Van Spilbergen summons his council after signs of treason - four prisoners are taken to his ship, accused or running away from the "Meeuwe" with the yacht, in order to make themselves masters of the latter and use her to their own advantage
January 5, 1615 - Ilha Grande, Coast of Rio de Janeiro - The prisoners are distributed between ships. The "Meeuwe" gets a fresh crew, and two of the prisoners are hanged on the yard arm and shot by six musketeers
January 14, 1615 - Ilha Grande, Coast of Rio de Janeiro - The prisoners and accomplices of treason come aboard the flagship and beg for pardon on their knees. The council decides to release them on parole and distribute them amongst other ships
January 15, 1615 - Coast of Brazil - Van Spilbergen sets course to northwest by north in direction of the mainland
January 18, 1615 - São Vicente Bay, Santos - Attempts begin to negotiate with the portuguese, who were formally not authorized by the Spanish Crown to commerce with the dutch
January 26, 1615 - São Vicente Bay, Santos - Van Spilbergen stops a small barque from Lisbon to Rio de Janeiro. Fearing for their lives, the crewmen inform the dutch admiral that there's still ten or twelve of their men prisoners at Rio de Janeiro, including Lieutenant François Duchesne
February 4, 1615 - São Vicente Bay, Santos - Van Spilbergen finally sets sail at the fourth attempt (due to days of calm)
March 7, 1615 - Off Rio Gallegos, Argentina - The fleet sees the river Gallegos but decides not to enter for being shallow and dangerous to the ships. Further south, they anchor at Cape Virgenes, the last cape before the Strait of Magellan
March 8, 1615 - Cape Virgenes - The ships are scattered by violent storms and contrary winds
March 27, 1615 - Coast of Tierra del Fuego, near the Strait's entrance - The ships reunite again near the entrance to the Strait of Magellan, but with difficult winds
April 3, 1615 - Strait of Magellan - Van Spilbergen finally sails into the Strait of Magellan.
April 16, 1615 - Strait of Magellan - After being forced to stay at anchor several times with very slow South-southeast progress, suddenly the Strait turns to the west and northwest
April 23, 1615 - Strait of Magellan - All ships reunite again. Van Spilbergen invites all officers to dinner on board his ship. After days of eating mussels, they are "well regaled there with many fresh dishes of meat, pork, poultry, oranges, lemons, candied peel and marmalades, most of which he had procured at São Vicente; also with olives, capers, good spanish and french wine, dutch beer", among other things. They enjoy "a fine concert of various instruments and music of many voices"
May 6, 1615 - Pacific Ocean - Van Spilbergen reaches the Pacific Ocean, with the ships sailing in a perilous area of violent waves and many islets and rocks
May 21, 1615 - S. of Mocha Island - The Island of Mocha is seen just before they head west for a while
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| Mocha Island, 1615 |
May 26, 1615 - Mocha Island - Four boats with the Admiral and some members of the Council are sent ashore with merchandise. The inhabitants welcome them and offer them all kinds of provisions - such as sheep, fowls, and other poultry, both cooked and raw. The chief of the island is welcomed aboard and entertained by Van Spilbergen, who shows him the ship
May 27, 1615 - Mocha Island - Van Spilbergen has all his troops drawn up in order on the ship fully armed, which pleases the inhabitants very much. The dutch weigh anchor and head north
May 28, 1615 - Off Santa Maria Island, Chile - The Island of Santa Maria is sighted. After summoning the Council, the "Jager" collides with the flagship's bow, doing much damage
May 29, 1615 - Santa Maria Island - Van Spilbergen anchors, leaving a sergeant on land with the indians and taking a spaniard as hostage
May 31, 1615 - Santa Maria Island - Armed men are seen marching straight to them. Van Spilbergen disembarks with three companies of soldiers and skirmishes happen. The spaniards loose 4 men and a large quantity of provisions. The rest are able to flee on horseback
June 3, 1615 - Off Concepción, Chile - The fleet anchors off Concepción and stays there until June 11th
June 12, 1615 - Valparaiso, Chile - Arrival in Valparaíso. Van Spilbergen lands with 200 soldiers, but the spanish burn the only ship they had there and their houses, fleeing inland
June 14, 1615 - Bay of Quintero, Chile - The dutch land to load fresh water in a small river. All spaniards in Chile are warned of their presence
July 2, 1615 - Arica, Northern Chile - Arrival in Arica, the port to where the Silver from Potosi is transported. However, finding no spanish galleons, the fleet continues to the north
July 17, 1615 - Coast of Peru - Naval battle against a spanish fleet of 7 ships under Don Rodrigo de Mendoza, who scorns the dutch force. The fight begins during the night. On the next day, the "Santa Ana" and the "San Francisco" are sunk
July 20, 1615 - Bay of Callao, Peru - At the Bay of Callao, 14 merchant ships are anchored, however, a shore battery almost sinks the "Morgensterre". The merchant ships sail too close to land for the dutch fleet to engage
July 26, 1615 - Bay of Callao, Peru - Unable to take any ships, Van Spilbergen weighs anchor
July 28, 1615 - Huarmey - Arrival in Huarmey. The dutch land to find a fine harbour but all houses empty
August 8, 1615 - Paita, N. Peru - Van Spilbergen's fleet anchors in Paita. The city is bombarded and plundered on August 10th
August 21, 1615 - Paita, N; Peru - Van Spilbergen heads north in search of Cocos Island (Costa Rica)
August 23, 1615 - Rio de Tumbez - Van Spilbergen anchors at the River Tumbez
September 7, 1615 - Off Cocos Island - They pass by Cocos Island, which is not found, due to continuous days of storms, rain, whirlwinds and lightning
September 13, 1615 - Off Cocos Island - Six more days of continuous storm. The crew begins to suffer from maladies without fresh food
October 11, 1615 - Acapulco - Van Spilbergen arrives in Acapulco and is welcomed by the spanish, after sending in a boat with a white flag
October 18, 1615 - Acapulco - The fleet departs from Acapulco, loaded with all kinds of provisions, having released the spanish prisoners aboard.
November 10, 1615 - Salagua - The fleet anchors at Salagua
November 15, 1615 - Barra de Navidad, Mexico - Van Spilbergen arrives to the harbour of Navidad
November 20, 1615 - Barra de Navidad, Mexico - The dutch weigh anchor
November 25, 1615 - Not far from Cape Corrientes, Lower California - The Council meets aboard Van Spilbergen's ship and it is decided to set course for the Bay of St.Lucas, Lower California
December 2, 1615 - Near the Cape of St.Lucas - Van Spilbergen decides to cross the Pacific Ocean, heading to Ladrones Island
January 24, 1616 - Ladrones Islands, Off Macao - Van Spilbergen arrives to Ladrones Islands after only 58 days voyage. The Natives bring many fruits that restore the health of the crew. The ships are loaded with fine fruits and other victuals
January 27, 1616 - Ladrones Islands, Off Macao - The Cannons and muskets accidentaly frighten the natives and Van Spilbergen sets sail to Manila
February 8, 1616 - Cape Espiritu Santo, NE Samar Island, E Philippines - The dutch come into sight of Cape Espiritu Santo, East Central Philippines. Go ashore on the 9th but are denied of commerce by the natives allied to the spanish
February 10, 1616 - Capul Island, Philippines - The dutch anchor at Capul, in Central Philippines, commercing with the natives
February 19, 1616 - Near Luzón Island - Van Spilbergen anchors at the next Luzón Island
February 25, 1616 - Near Albay mountain (Mayon Vulcano) - The dutch pass close to the Albay vulcano, that is burning and full of sulphur
February 30, 1616 - Mariveles, opposite of Manilla - Van Spilbergen anchors outside the entrance to the Manilla Harbour
March 3, 1616 - Corregidor Island, Manilla Bay entrance - Unable to sail inside the bay with adverse winds, Van Spilbergen anchors at Corregidor Island. A merchant is taken, laden with rice, oil, fowls, fruit and other food, which is very serviceable for the sick in the fleet
March 10, 1616 - Corregidor Island, Manilla Bay entrance - Van Spilbergen sets sail to the Moluccas, after taking several small merchant boats
March 20, 1616 - Cape La Caldera, westernmost point of Mindanao Island - Van Spilbergen reaches Cape La Caldera
March 23, 1616 - Between Taguima (Basilan Island) and Mindanao - The fleet spends 3 days without wind, moving slowly in the current. During the delay, the ships are loaded with many products brought by the canoes from the shore
March 27, 1616 - Off Pulau Sangihe (Sangir Island) - With favourable wind, Van Spilbergen passes close to Sangir Island
March 29, 1616 - Ternate - Arrival in Ternate
May 1, 1616 - Ternate - Van Spilbergen invites to dinner on board his ship all the captains of the soldiers, lieutenants, ensigns and other officers, as well as the merchants, skippers and pilots, giving them all the best cheer possible
May 2, 1616 - Makian - Van Spilbergen sets sail to Makian, in order to prevent the enemy from supplying foreign vessels there with cloves
May 12, 1616 - Tidore - Van Spilbergen hears through an english captain that Jan Dircksen Lam arrived in Banda with 12 warships and many soldiers and sailors, and that on the 10th of April he took the Island of Pulo Way, by force
June 1, 1616 - Ternate - Van Spilbergen anchors at Maleya Fort, Ternate. Twelve other dutch ships join him from Amboyna
July 8, 1616 - Ternate - Van Spilbergen receives orders to proceed to Bantam
July 15, 1616 - Pulau Buton Island (SE Sulawesi) - Arrival in Pulau Buton
August 25, 1616 - Japara, North Coast of Java - Van Spilbergen reaches Japara, where he takes in supplies of rice and other provisions
September 15, 1616 - Bantam, Java - Arrival in Bantam
September 30(?), 1616 - Bantam, Java - The ship "West Vriesen" arrives, aboard which 28 men intended to overpower it and make themselves masters of it. The ringleader is quartered at Bantam, some of them hanged, after their fingers had been cut off, and the rest, who were least guilty, condemned to the galleys and other forms of slavery
December 12, 1616 - Bantam, Java - Captain Steven Doessens arrives in Bantam from Lambe (East Sumatra) with the ships "Wapen van Amsterdam" and "Middelburch"
December 14, 1616 - Bantam, Java - Van Spilbergen sets sail to Holland with the "Wapen van Amsterdam" and the "Middelburch", taking Jacob Le Maire and Willem Schouten with him
December 22, 1616 - Indian Ocean - Jacob Le Maire dies aboard the "Wapen van Amsterdam", "caused by the affront and harshness put upon him"
January 24, 1617 - Off Mauritius Island - Van Spilbergen reaches Mauritius by nightfall, where he anchors, taking in supply of water and other provisions
January 30, 1617 - Mauritius Island - The two dutch ships resume voyage
February 1, 1617 - Reunion - The dutch see and pass the Island of Reunion (Mascarenhas)
March 11, 1617 - W of Cape of Good Hope - Van Spilbergen crosses the Cape and sets course Northwest by north
March 30, 1617 - St.Helena Island, South Atlantic - Van Spilbergen reaches St.Helena Island. The other dutch ship is waiting there
April 7, 1617 - St.Helena Island - Van Spilbergen resumes voyage
April 14, 1617 - Off Ascension Island - The crew sees Ascension Island by moonlight
May 13, 1617 - N Sal Island, Cape Verde - The dutch pass north of Sal Island, Cape Verde
July 1, 1617 - Zeeland - Van Spilbergen arrives in Zeeland (Vlissingen / Middelburg)
January 31, 1620 - Bergen-op-Zoom - Joris Van Spilbergen dies a poor man, aged 51 =(END)
Bibliography
LOTHROP MOTLEY, John - "History of the United Netherlands: From the death of William the Silent to the Twelve Years' Truce - 1609."
MONTEIRO, Saturnino - "Batalhas e Combates da Marinha Portuguesa", Vols. IV & V
Great work, thank You (Islas de los Ladrones are Mariana Islands)
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