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Tuesday, October 03, 2006

The English prize Essex in the Dutch service

Frank Fox would like very much to learn more about the English prize Essex in the Dutch service in 1667. Ron van Maanen only lists the English dimensions. One of the things that Frank would like to know are the Dutch dimensions for the Essex. He also had thought that there might be a Dutch name, but I have only seen the ship referenced in "Brandt" (I think) as the Essex. I think it worthwhile to estimate the ships' Dutch dimensions:
The English prize Essex, Capt. Jacob Pauw

Length from stem to sternpost:  157ft
Beam:                            36-3/4ft
Hold:                            16ft

50 guns
Crew: 225 sailors and 30 soldiers

This rather difficult, as the known English length is the keel, while the Dutch is from stem to sternpost, and is affected by the amount of rake. The Dutch beam is inside the planking, while the English beam is outside the planking. The Dutch hold is at the side, at the widest part of the ship, where the deck edge meets the side. The English depth of hold is at the center, and is affected by the amount of camber to the deck. Sources:
  1. James C. Bender, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Ships and the Relationship Between English and Dutch Measure", 2003
  2. Gerard Brandt, Het Leven en Bedrijif van den Heere Michiel de Ruiter, 1687
  3. Ron van Maanen, unpublished manuscript "Dutch Warships 1600-1800", undated but circa 1992

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