Cape Good Hope 1652-1702

28 Nicolaus de Graaff

(See also items 22, 36, 39, 49, 62.) From Ceylon he sailed homeward in the flute* Sparendam, with Dolphijntje, flute Swaenenburg, yacht* Swaantje (or Vliegende Swaan), which was sent ahead to make sure that the Cape was still in Dutch hands, arriving 17/3 [DR]. Swaenenburg arrived 21/3 [DR], Dolphijntje not traced.

On March the 23rd [as dr] we arrived at the Cape of Good Hope, having had no difficulties from enemy ships, finding at anchor in the bay the ships Hof van Breda [arrived 7/3, dr] and Stigt Utrecht [arrived 17/3, dr]. On the same day [23/3 dr] there arrived from the Fatherland the ship Makassar, and three days later from Batavia the ships Tidor, Ternate, Gekroonde Vrede [dr 25/3]; and later Wapen van ter Goes, [Wapen van] Sierikzee [Zierikzee], Voorsigtigheid, Nieuw Rotterdam, which had lost her mainmast [dr Wapen van, and fore-topmast]. Also [homeward] the flute Delfshaven [dr 5/4], the Oostenburg [ditto], Grotebroek [dr 9/4], Goyland [ditto], and Kasteel van Medenblick, which last because of contrary wind and bad weather could not however enter the bay, but after losing three anchors must continue her course to the island of Saint Helena [dr nil], to await us there. Also while we lay at anchor at the Cape there came from the Fatherland the ships [Wapen van] Middelburg, Gerecgtigheid, Vrye Zee, the yacht* de

[p. 165]

Pijl, Prins Willem de Derde, the little flute* Ipenstein and the Jonge Prins of Hoorn [arrivals see dr above]; and from Brazil a little ship with tobacco [? dr 22/4, flute Laren].... While lying here justice was done on various mutineers. Some walked the yard [ducked from mainyard], and were punished before the mast [flogged], some set on Robben Island, and others who had stowed away in the return-ships were sent back to Batavia. All being made ready, and the farewell-feast held at the Castle, we sailed with 13 return-ships from the Cape of Good Hope on April the 24th [dr].... [Arrived home August 3.]