Journal of Willem van der Decken
On the back on the Kombuys food kiosk you will find pages of Willem van der Decken's journal posted.
They are written in the old Dutch.
Please find rough translations in the modern English below.
They are written in the old Dutch.
Please find rough translations in the modern English below.
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The thirteenth of April, sixteen hundred sixty five
home 13 April 1665 Finally my big day has come. Presently I shall be named captain of the VOC by the Lords Seventeen, directors of the Company. My ship The Dutchman is being constructed and shall be completed within a few months ready for its first journey to The East. The ship will be the Company’s fastest built to date. So swift as if carried upon wings, Yes we shall surely fly over the waves of the sea… Tomorrow I inspect my wares. These shall be traded at high profits with the spices from The East. An agreement has been made to employ seamen and I still seek a good helmsman. Thanks to this appointment I was able to receive the wishes of good fortune from my fiancee Catharina . We shall soon enter into marriage. Next week I will be fitted for a beautiful silk suit for the wedding. |
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The twenty second October sixteen hundred sixty eight
return journey from The East We make good progress. The journey home runs smoothly. A storm of three days did not injure my ship The Dutchman. We have crossed the ocean without any real misfortune and filled our stores past the Cape. We shall be back at Goeree within seven weeks or my name is not Willem van der Decken! On the Maluku’s clove, mace and nutmeg of the highest quality are obtained. The shipment keeps well and shall garner a high price. I can be satisfied. In Amsterdam I have been summoned to a gathering of the Lords Seventeen. Does a reward await me? This would fortuitous as I would like to have a stately home built at the city wall. A man of distinction must live in luxury! For my wife Catherina I bought a fine, silver pomander with rosemary; a sweet smelling ornament for her belt. She is certain to have missed me and it shall surely please her! |
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The fifth March, sixteen hundred seventy journey to Batavia
5 March 1670 Journal, I am thriving! Presently I can count myself among those shippers in the Company held in the highest regard! My ship, The Dutchman, has proved to be a reliable companion with which I and my seamen can bend the forces of nature to our will with ease! For us no sea is too high! We have left our dear fatherland and set course for Batavia, where the Governor Generale awaits me and will award me with a golden pin for my services to The Company. Afterward we will sail on across the Chinese Sea to Japan, to establish trade! I look forward to purchasing a kimono. This item of clothing will be much remarked upon in Holland! The construction of my stately home in Holland progresses. Once I return home, Catharina and I will move in to the house. |
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The thirteenth January, sixteen hundred seventy one
Return journey from The East 13 Janury 1671 The tide seems to be turning against me. We did good business in Batavia as in Japan. However the months long journey back is plagued by heavy misfortunes! During many weeks where the sea was becalmed The Dutchman lay motionless. Like a cork in the sea. My crew went mad from cold and loneliness. God himself seems to have had a hand in this. What have I done to deserve such punishment? Famine rules, especially now the food stores has spoiled in part and a ration has been set. Then scurvy hit and we prayed that our surgeon’s help would succeed. It was no use however whereupon we unfortunately lost several loyal crew members. My helmsman blames me personally for these misfortunes. Mutiny was at hand but was prevented by my timely measures and the conspirators will not escape their heavy punishments upon their arrival in Holland. No living soul will defy my leadership or they will pay with their lives! |
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The first February, sixteen hundred seventy three
Home 1 February Journal, I find myself at the top of my fame, but I have been foolish! During a bacchanal in cafe ‘Het Oorlam’ I spoke to my comrades in drunkenness about the plunderings. This secret may never be made public and so hush money I paid to my friends. Fortunately I kept silent about the underground corridor I have been working on in deepest secrecy. Which will connect my house to the harbour. In this manner all the stolen contraband can be stored where the directors of the Company can’t see them! For my next journey to Batavia I still seek crewmembers. I seem to be feared somewhat now due to my hard policy on board The Dutchman. However I shall surely succeed in employing the best men. I, shipper Willem van der Decken, will sail again to The East. |
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The eighteenth September, sixteen hundred seventy four
Return journey from The East 18 September 1674 These are times of wealth and plenty. I have garnered power and prestige. More than I could have dreamed of in my younger years. The reunion with Catharina causes me concern. She cannot give me a son and this brings me great sadness. A shipper of world renown does not feel complete without an eir. Yesterday I raised a glass with my crew to a safe journey home and under the enjoyment of rum we merrily mocked the Lord directors of the Company. They offered me the newest sea charts and the globe of ‘Blaeu’ which indicate the fairways of the Indian Ocean with the greatest of accuracy! I, captain Willem van der Decken, have no need of such tools! My will shall be law! This they came to understand this in Ceylon where the price of cinnamon had been driven so high, that we could not see any other recourse than to procure this merchandise through violence. Those who stood against us were put to death. A few weeks more and we shall see the home port again! |
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The seventh October, sixteen hundred seventy five
home 7 October 1675 Journal, how impressive the arrival home last week! With my invincible ship The Dutchman, somewhat harrowed by the storm, yet full of merchandise, I sailed into the harbour where by I was welcomed by the people as befits a living legend. They are however unknowing of the provenance of my shipload! This was partly procured by entering and unloading of an English merchant ship, whereby any resistance was met with death, The eastern, gilded art works are safely stored in the secret treasure chambers under my house! The renown of me and The Dutchman is sailing along! |
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The twentieth November, sixteen hundred seventy seven.
Return journey from Batavia ‘T is lonely at the top! These past years I’ve conquered all the enemies in my path, and all the plagues God inflicted upon me and my crew such as disease, storms, hunger and thirst. My secret treasure chambers are filling up steadily. Where I would in the past celebrate the victory with my crew, I now prefer to retire and drink my rum alone. On this return journey we visited a village in the Maluku’s and burned it to the ground there they would not relinquish their stock of pepper. The next time they will cooperate more easily. We will bring aboard more weapons and munitions on our coming journey so as to better defend ourselves against the enemy. They will bow to me as were I a god! I, captain Willem van der Decken have been shown to be untouchable! An appointment was made for another portret to be made of me by painter Caspar Netscher! Daily I look upon myself in the large mirror in my captain's chamber/Stateroom in order to determine the right pose. |
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Holy Saturday, sixteen hundred seventy eight
Home, the day before departure 1678 Journal, I am determined. Tomorrow I sail again with my ship The Dutchman! The Lords directors of the Company have however forbidden it… Tomorrow is Easter and Gods Holy Law forbids sailing on this day. It will surely bring me misfortune. The worst storm our fatherland has known has been raging for weeks, where no shipper dares to sail. In addition, The Dutchman is said to be in bad shape for sailing and is to be dismantled at the dock. But I disagree with the naysayers. What do the superstitious people and the Directors know of the sea? Who knows her better than I, captain Willem van der Decken? My mind is made up! I will sail The Dutchman tomorrow with my crew. To my loyal wife Catharina I will wrote a letter goodbye which she will find in the morrow after my departure. I shall sail in the morrow, Storm or no storm, Easter or no Easter, God or no God… |
