Page 93 - Dutch Asiatic Shipping Volume 1

available. Only the less expensive goods were still shipped via Batavia.6 The Bengal return
ships had to sail in convoy to the Cape, after departure preferably in November or ber. The measure of 1742 also had its effect on this route (see table 14c).
Table 14c: Numbers of monthly departures from Bengal
Decem-
I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII
1775-95
58 16 4 1 42 22
From 1730 onwards the fourth important port of departure was Canton, in documents often referred to as China.7 The COXHOORN (6783) sailed from here on January 7th of that year. Although the direct link between the Republic and Canton only existed for a short while, the reverse link was maintained and increased in frequency and importance. The northeast monsoon in winter made the voyage to Banka Strait and Sunda Strait possible. The Company repeatedly pleaded for departure before the end of December at least, but this never appeared quite possible. The purchase of tea and porcelain took time. Most of the so-called tea-ships began their return voyage in December and January (see table 14d).
Table 14d: Numbers of monthly departures from Canton
I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII
1730-49 17 5 13 1750-74 323 1630 1775-95 3762 214
1730-95 86142 21657
Across the Indian Ocean to the Cape
a. The route
Ships of the Batavia-consignment had no need to take the seasons into consideration when leaving the Bataviaroadstead and passing through Sunda Strait. 'Atalltimes, even in the middle of the time of the westerlies, sailing from Batavia through the Sunda Strait (was) possible', the Instructie van de Moussons declared emphatically.8 The westerlies prevailed most strongly in December, January and February, right at the start of the return voyage. Past the Strait the west or east monsoon enabled a ship to reach the latitude where the southeast trade wind prevailed. With this doorgaande (continuous) or generale (general) wind an approximately southwesterly course could be held to the Cape. The island of Madagascar had to be kept well to starboard. There was no need for sailing in convoy. The China-men followed the same route.
6 ARA, V O C 165, res. Heren 17 of 7.4.1731 and 30.10.1733; VOC 166, id. of 12.11.1736; VOC 328, Heren 17 to Batavia 12.9.1736; Realia I, 139 (30.7.1759).
7 See previous chapter p. 73-74 and the relevant note 32.
8 As worded in the Instructie van de moussons of 1748 (ARA, VOC 5036).
1734-49 77 1750-74 367
312 13 1 25 4 152 15 5