The wreck of the de Gouden Buys

The De Gouden Buys left the city of Enkhuizen for Batavia in 1693. The voyage was beset with challenges from the outset. There was sickness on board. Both scurvy and Typhoid caused daily deaths.

When the ship got as far as the equator, they were becalmed for weeks. A lack of fresh water and food exacerbated the problem.

The ship eventually reached St Helena Bay. A Northwesterly wind prevented the ship from continuing on to Table Bay

Captain Baanman ordered seven men, who were still strong enough, to go ashore and seek help. They hiked for several weeks. With the help of some local Khoi Khoi people Thijszoon managed to reach a Dutch post and a message was delivered to the Cape Castle and

A large salvage operation was put into place by Governor Simon van der Stel. Four ships sailed to  St. Helena Bay. When they arrived, Daniël Silliman, one of the few survivors was rescued from the beach. De The  Dageraad salvaged the cargo and departed with the seventeen treasure chests and with Silleman to the Cape but this boat also shipwrecked at Robbeneiland. Silleman also survived this tragedy and he eventually returned to Holland.

Silleman’s story was published in Enkhuizen in 1695. “The Journey of the De Gouden Buys and the Story of Daniël Silleman” became a popular storybook. Only a few copies survive.