Page 86 - Dutch Ships in Tropical Waters

called a quel, whereas the larger, sometimes triple-masted galjoot of  to  last could also be called a boot or a flute. The small quel could make the long sea voyage from the Netherlands with only twelve or fourteen crewmembers. The galliots were specially used for local transport, particularly in those places where the VOC controlled a large coastal area (like Taiwan, Ceylon and, after , the Cape of Good Hope) and transport between smaller locations within those areas was needed. Galliots were also built in Asia. The th century publisher of a shipbuilding manual Nicolaes Witsen discusses all the Dutch ship-types mentioned in this section. His reflections, translated below, on the design of a ship for the high seas as well as in shallow harbours and rivers exactly illustrates the problems encountered by the VOC (Witsen , p. ): ‘Over het bouwen van Boeijers, of Galjoots, die van hier na Rouan in Vrankrijk varen, werdt veel geredekavelt; .. want zy moeten door zee, rivier, en water dat droogh loopt. Ter zee is een lang schip met een diep gaande kiel nut.: op vlieten die ondiep zyn pryst men het platboemt vaar-tuigh: op drooghtens loopt het lange Vaar-tuigh noodt van de lendenen te breeken; in zee het korte van niet te konnen ryzen en van de golven bedekt te worden. Waar om niet zonder reden is de zelvige te voorzien met styve lendenen, en kielen die in 't midden zwaar zyn, doch ondiep: waar tegen de zwaerden dienen vergroot, om in zee het afdryven met een ondiepe kiel te beter te beletten; ook moet men het vlak minder doen ryzen als de gewoonte is, om niet om te slaan, of ongeval te lyden, wanneer de Scheepen op droogh zitten. In 't algemein is raadtzaam, geen Boeijers, of Galjoots, al te zwaar te maken, omdat in dien gevalle de gaffel, of het zeil, als het quaat weer maalt, niet is te beheeren, en de mast het schip zeer doet slingeren, in duiken, en water vangen. Maar het is te raden, in stede van Galjoots of Boeijers van  last, Boots met drie masten te bouwen, welke bequamer te redden, en gemakkelijker te beheeren zyn, ook min afdryven’. \[There is a lot of dis- cussion about the building of boeijers or galjoots sailing from here to Rouen in France... because they have to pass through seas, rivers and waters which run dry. At sea a long ship with a deep keel is useful; on rivers which are shallow the flat-bottomed Vessel; on the sands the long Vessel is in danger of breaking, at sea the short will pitch too much and be swamped by the waves. For that reason they must be sturdily built with a keel that is heavy in the middle, though shallow; against this the leeboards have to be larger to prevent the leeway caused by a shallow keel. Also the bottom must not be raised as is usual to prevent capsizing or other problems will occur when the Ships are sitting on the sands. Overall it is advisable not to make Boeiers or Galjoots too heavy, because in that case the gaff, or the sail cannot be managed in bad weather and the mast will make the ship roll and pitch and catch water. It is advisable instead of Galjoots or Boeijers of  last, to built Boots with three masts which are easier to manage and make less leeway\]. Availability of a suitable fleet: review of the composition of the fleet to  The efficiency and adaptability of the VOC fleet made possible the expansion of Dutch trade in Asia. Trade contacts and shipping routes developed because the VOC had at their disposal an efficient fleet comprised of ships suited to the varied requirements of the organisation. As ex- plained in previous chapters, the VOC’s activities in Asia were diverse, the shipping regions were extensive, and extreme nautical conditions could be encountered. The vessels of the fleet needed to be equipped for adverse seas and weather conditions, and able to carry out a range of different activities. These activities could be as varied as: long distance trade; local supply; survey; personnel transport; military action and blockades. In many instances, a vessel had to change from one activity to another very swiftly, when necessary. As the VOC developed in size and complexity so did their fleet. For each ten year period up to , the number of vessels brought into service and the total size of the fleet were analysed. Vessels that came into service were: constructed in one of the VOC shipyards in the Nether- lands; purchased on the lively Dutch market for ships; captured; or in some cases built in Asia. Some vessels were only active for a very short time whilst others served for more than twenty The development of the VOC fleet 