Page 157 - Dutch Asiatic Shipping Volume 1

The totals of voyagers between 1595 and 1795 were not divided evenly over the years.
As to figures not a single year was equal to a previous or succeeding year. But in addition
fluctuations in the numbers occurred incidentally, influenced by special circumstances in
Europe or Asia, while in general there was a gradual rise in the course of the seventeenth
century and a sustained high level in the eighteenth century. Incidental fluctuations can
be explained by wartime conditions with delays in voyages because of detours, long waiting
periods or participation in the war, while sometimes such years of decline were followed
by higher numbers to catch up on the backlog. Also, alterations in Company policy as to
trade, finance or organization could be significant for equipping and recruitment. A n d
lastly the availability of manpower for recruitment in Europe or of returning personnel
in Asia has probably played a role of its own. A clear picture of the global trend in numbers
of travellers is given in table 27.
2
For several decades less than 50% of the figures are available and a question-mark has been put
after the extrapolated numerical data. Many of the data concerning the outward (1635-1640) and
homeward (1750-1770) voyages have been derived from the 'particulars' in the Lists of volumes
II and III. After a random check in the archives (VOC 4938-4950, Lijst van scheepsbewegingen
aan de Kaap 1741-1769) it was decided to take 'crew at the Cape' as the number of people leaving
Asia. A year runs from June 1st to May 31st.
Table 27: Numbers of voyagers on board (to the nearest hundred)
1595-1602
1602-1610
1610-1620
1620-1630
1630-1640
1640-1650
1650-1660
1660-1670
1670-1680
1680-1690
1690-1700
1700-1710
1710-1720
1720-1730
1730-1740
1740-1750
1750-1760
1760-1770
1770-1780
1780-1790
1790-1795
1602-1700
1700-1795
??
voyagers
5,300?
8,500
19,000
ships average
66 80.6?
76 111.5
117 162.1
voyagers
average
From the Republic
From Asia
ships
49
23,700 141 167.8
28,900? 157 184.0
33,100? 165 200.6? 11,900 93
40,200? 205
40,900 238
42,700 232
37,800 204
43,000 235
49,600 281
59,900 310
71,700 382
74,300 375
73,100 314
80,500 290
85,500 292
75,500 290
61,900 298
22,900 119
317,800 1,770
655,200 2,951
196.0? 13,000 103
171.8
184.1
185.2
183.1
176.6
193.1
187.7
198.2
232.8
277.7
292.8
261.5
207.8
192.7
179.6
222.0
14,400 127
15,900 133
16,400? 141
18,300 156
22,400 193
26,500 245
34,300? 319
34,600 311
23,900 234
28,000 245
27,700 233
28,400 245
17,700 227
9,100 113
114,400 989
252,500 2,365
)
J
89.9?
133.7
127.3
126.4
113.4
119.4
116.5?
117.3
116.0
108.2
107.9?
111.2
102.0
114.2
118.4
115.9
78.0
80.7
115.6
106.8
40
\ 14,500? 50
71 J
10,000 75
"J