Piet Hein: the death of a naval hero
Piet Hein at sea
Among his contemporaries, Piet Hein stood out for his strong leadership at sea, his courage, and craftsmanship.
He was a skilled navigator, employing various maritime tricks that required extensive knowledge. Reading and understanding the sea was crucial to ensure his ships were not carried away by currents or adverse weather conditions. Hein was adept at calculations, determining his position at sea using a compass, quadrant (a sundial-shaped instrument to measure the altitude of the sun above the horizon), and a Jacob's staff (a measuring rod to determine latitude).
Navigating required knowledge of astronomy and map reading. In addition to these skills, he had to effectively manage the crew, and possess expertise in combat techniques. Loading and firing one cannon took eight men approximately eight minutes! Hence, in battle, timing and the positioning of the crew and ship were crucial. Piet Hein proved to be a leader who maintained order, created loyal crews, and conducted himself honourably.
Neither safe nor comfortable
Sailing at sea was neither safe nor comfortable. On board, clean drinking water and fresh food were not always accessible, leading to diseases such as scurvy and typhus claiming lives during the journeys. Rats and fleas were common, and at times, the smell was unbearable. The crew, consisting of rugged individuals, could be away from home for months or even years depending on the destination. Sailors could mutiny, face the risk of drowning, perish in a battle, or be captured. Piet Hein himself was a prisoner on multiple occasions and had to row as a galley slave for the Spaniards.
Batavia
You see a model of the Batavia, a mirror return ship of the VOC. It set sail in 1628 and was wrecked a year later off the coast of Western Australia. Although it never was part of Hein's fleet, it provides a good representation of the type of ships that were used in his time.
Until the First Anglo-Dutch War (1652), the Republic mainly used converted or specially equipped merchant ships, like the Batavia. After that, specific warships were built.
This is a modern replica of the 17th-century model. A life-size reconstruction of the ship can be visited in Batavialand (Lelystad).
Piet Hein: the death of a naval hero
Who was Piet Hein?
Piet Hein was born in 1577 in Delfshaven, the former harbour of Delft (now part of Rotterdam). He called it a true “seaside town” because it primarily thrived on herring fishing.
The monument for Piet Hein
Shortly after Hein's death in 1629, the government decided that the Admiralty of Rotterdam (one of the five authorities organizing the navy) should commission a monument for him.
A controversial past
Many people associate Piet Hein with slavery because he worked for the VOC and WIC. These institutions indeed engaged in the trading of enslaved individuals, but this occurred after Hein's death.
Piet Hein at sea
Among his contemporaries, Piet Hein stood out for his strong leadership at sea, his courage, and craftsmanship.
Piet Hein - Symphonische Rock Versie
Je kent vast het bekende liedje van Piet Hein. Maar hoe zou datzelfde liedje klinken in een hele andere stijl? Bijvoorbeeld in een nogal bombastische symphonische rock versie. Luister maar!
Piet Hein - Hiphop Versie
Je kent vast het bekende liedje van Piet Hein. Maar hoe zou datzelfde liedje klinken in een hele andere stijl? Bijvoorbeeld in een vrolijke old-skool hiphop versie. Luister maar!
Piet Hein - Zeemanslied
Je kent vast het bekende liedje van Piet Hein. Maar hoe zou datzelfde liedje klinken in een hele andere stijl? Bijvoorbeeld als een zeemanslied. Luister maar!
Piet Hein - Oratorium
Je kent vast het bekende liedje van Piet Hein. Maar hoe zou datzelfde liedje klinken in een hele andere stijl? Bijvoorbeeld als oratorium. Luister maar!
Piet Hein - Swing
Je kent vast het bekende liedje van Piet Hein. Maar hoe zou datzelfde liedje klinken in een hele andere stijl? Bijvoorbeeld in swing style. Luister maar!
Glossy Piet Hein: de disclaimer
Naar aanleiding van de expositie Piet Hein: de dood van een zeeheld en de koppeling met het herdenkingsjaar slavernijverleden heeft de Oude en Nieuwe Kerk een glossy uitgebracht over het leven van Piet Hein en wat voor invloed onze geschiedenis heeft op het leven van vandaag.