Page 76 - Dutch Asiatic Shipping Volume 1

The custom of fitting out three fleets at fixed times of the year did not mean that at other times Dutch-Asiatic shipping was at a standstill. Far from it. During the remaining months ships sailed out regularly, and table 5 shows how departure dates became more widely spread. This was not the result of an official decision on the Company's part. The annual total of ships which had to be fitted out increased from year to year, and the chambers were not always ready simultaneously. In 1742 a proposal from the new Gover- nor-General Van Imhoff to discontinue the Christmas fleet on account of the hazards of the winter weather was firmly rejected. The draught in the Marsdiep was deeper in winter and the advantages as to recruitment and supplies remained unchanged. Van Imhoff wanted two fleets only, one in October, one in March/April. The Heren Zeventien did decide in 1742 to put less emphasis on the Christmas fleet.13 In chapter 6 we will discuss how the Company's policy in departure dates affected the duration and safety of voyages. Conditions of war had little effect on departure times. Sailing took place as much as possible in groups. As a rule this sailing in convoy was not to be abandoned until the Cape Verde Islands had been passed.
Table 5: Numbers of monthly departures from Dutch ports
I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII
1602-24 31 10 8 26 35 15 4 5 1 3 3 70 1625-49 96 18 31 55 63 3 2 4 11 24 13 56 1650-74 43 14 21 77 67 23 13 21 31 51 45 103 1675-99 59 46 24 37 112 38 26 11 28 14 23 85 1700-24 169 46 27 80 136 56 16 1 14 62 53 83 1725-49 132 31 65 76 131 53 34 16 22 108 101 60 1750-74 40 28 21 51 105 47 29 20 51 126 62 136 1775-94 54 15 13 20 36 44 56 46 61 52 46 72
1602-99 229 88 84 195 277 79 45 41 71 92 84 312 1700-94 395 120 126 227 408 200 134 83 146 348 262 350
I = January, II = February, and so on.
From the Netherlands to the Cape
a. Via the Channel or the 'backway'
The shortest route south was that through the English Channel. It was also the best one, although the many sandbanks at the entrance or an unfavourable southwesterly could cause problems. In times of war with England or France, or during the height of privatee- ring from the Southern Netherlands between 1630 and 1646, the East Indiamen could easily run into enemy ships. This danger was much less on the route north of Scotland and around the Shetlands. The seas were vast there, but the area was subject to frequent bad weather. Using the 'backway' as this route was called, nearly always meant a lengthier passage, for it was a longer lap. From the point where the two routes converged it made a difference of about six hundred sea miles.
13 Warnsinck, Reisen van Nicolaus de Graaff, Oost-Indise Spiegel, 81-82; Van Dam, Beschryvinge, vol. 63, 660-661 and 665; Colenbrander, Jan Pietersz. Coen V , 19; Heeres, 'De 'Consideration' ', 461^62 and 565-566.