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Historic Dutch canon found in the North Sea
(23-09-2008)

On 12 september MACHU partner RWS (Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management) found a 17th century canon, in the Euro Maasroute to Rotterdam. Because there was no sign of a wreck nearby RWS decided to rescue the canon and taken it ashore. It has been handed over to the RACM where it was been examined at the RACM maritime complex in Lelystad by maritime archaeologist Arent Vos.

The canon measures 3 m. and 19,5 cm (2101 kg, 24 pounder). The canon was made in 1631 by Cornelis Ouderogge for the Admiralty of Rotterdam. The canon was in use on the ‘Aemilia‘ the flagship of Admiral Tromp. After 1654 it was in use on the ‘Eendracht’ the flagship of admiral Van Wassenaar-Obdam. In the Second Anglo-Dutch War during the battle of Lowestoft (13-06-1665) the Eendracht, then armed with 73 guns, duelled the heavier 80-gun English flagship Royal Charles. In the afternoon Eendracht was hit in the powder room and exploded, killing Van Obdam. There were only five survivors out of 409.


The canon at the RACM building in Lelystad (picture, Arent Vos)



The battle of Lowestoft 1665, The eendracht attacks the Royal Charles on a
painting of Hendrik van Minderhout.

The cannon was found without a trace of wreck. However in recent years a few kilometers from the cannon, a wreck has been spotted (depth ca. 38 m.) and several objects were found in these waters that can be linked to the famous Dutch flagship de Eendracht, including a more or less indentical canon. Parts of the construction and the rigging of this ship have been seen and even filmed. The wreck is lying in a bussy ship route and anchorage area of shore. It has not been investigated properly yet.


Inscription on the canon: admiralteit Rotterdam (picture RWS)

Further information:

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