Page 174 - Kennemerland VOC ship, 1664 - Published Reports

Norman’s Bay Wreck: Archaeological Report Wessex Archaeology 53111.03nn
and photographed by WA personnel. Subsequent information provided by Chris Dobbs ruled out a link between these anchors and the protected wreck sites.
4.3. DESK-BASED ASSESSMENT
4.3.1. During the post-excavation process a limited archive assessment was conducted. This involved compiling a brief history of the vessel and a summary history of the archaeological investigations on the site. These sections were not based on a full assessment of all the documentary sources that may exist, but were rather just a summary of the information in those documents that were readily available to WA.
5. RESULTS
5.1. THE KENNEMERLAND
5.1.1. The Kennemerland was purchased in 1661 by the Amsterdam Chamber, one of the six regional chambers of the VOC, for a price of 33,000 guilders. The records of the Amsterdam Chamber give its measurements as 155ft in length, 35ft in width, 17ft 6in deep with cargo rafters to a height of 7ft. These measurements are recorded in Dutch feet, equivalent to 11in (British). It was armed with 24 cast iron guns, six bronze guns and two minions. This was the usual armament for a ship of its size as stipulated in 1630 by the Heeren XXVII, the central board of the VOC.
5.1.2. In December 1664 the Kennemerland and its companion ship the Rijnland left the Texel for Batavia loaded between them with 240,000 guilders, general cargo and 200 crew. At this time a state of hostility existed between Britain and the United Provinces of the Free Netherlands which would lead to a declaration of war in February of 1665. VOC ships were therefore taking the longer ‘achter om’ route through the North Sea to avoid the risk of interception in the English Channel.
5.1.3. The Kennemerland was running ahead of a southerly gale when she struck Stoura Stack at the entrance to the Out Skerries natural harbour and broke in half. The wreck's forepart foundered in the deep water adjacent to Stoura Stack and the remaining stern portion was swept into the harbour and washed up on Bruray Island, before being swept back out to sea on the following tide. This wrecking process is supported by the pattern of distribution of finds recovered from the excavations on the wreck.
5.2. SUMMARY ARCHAEOLOGICAL HISTORY
5.2.1. Early 18th century: The wreck was dived by William Irvine, a noted Shetland, (though Orkney born) ‘wrack man’. He dived the Kennemerland and De Liefde sites in his ‘diving engine’.
5.2.2. 1971: Divers from Aston University Sub Aqua Club rediscovered the site in 1971. A preliminary survey was undertaken and some finds recovered. These included five anchors, four cast iron cannon, three Bellarmine flagons and a quantity of Overijsselsde Steen bricks.
3