Building the Onrust
Based on Dutch historical records, the original Onrust was constructed in the early winter of 1614 shortly after Adriaen Block’s ship, the Tyger, burnt to the waterline, and was completed in April, less than four months later.
Because of its speedy completion, it is assumed the ship was built with the leftover parts from the Tyger, together with new building materials Block’s crew obtained locally, and possibly with borrowed materials from the “Fortuyn”, the 110-ton ship that accompanied the Tyger.
Block’s crew was estimated at nine members at time of construction and included shipwright, Herman Hillebrantsen, and carpenter, Lolle Reijner.
Records also mention the ship was a “small Yacht of about eight lasts (16 -ton burden) and measured 44 ½ feet in length, with a beam of 11 ½ feet and a keel of 38 feet long”.
To accommodate a taller population (ten percent growth over the last four centuries), the present-day Onrust is built about ten percent larger than the original version, measuring instead 52 feet in length with a beam of 14 feet. It carries about thirty passengers plus six working cannon and sails with a four to seven-member crew.
Based on Dutch historical records, the original Onrust was constructed in the early winter of 1614 shortly after Adriaen Block’s ship, the Tyger, burnt to the waterline, and was completed in April, less than four months later.
Because of its speedy completion, it is assumed the ship was built with the leftover parts from the Tyger, together with new building materials Block’s crew obtained locally, and possibly with borrowed materials from the “Fortuyn”, the 110-ton ship that accompanied the Tyger.
Block’s crew was estimated at nine members at time of construction and included shipwright, Herman Hillebrantsen, and carpenter, Lolle Reijner.
Records also mention the ship was a “small Yacht of about eight lasts (16 -ton burden) and measured 44 ½ feet in length, with a beam of 11 ½ feet and a keel of 38 feet long”.
To accommodate a taller population (ten percent growth over the last four centuries), the present-day Onrust is built about ten percent larger than the original version, measuring instead 52 feet in length with a beam of 14 feet. It carries about thirty passengers plus six working cannon and sails with a four to seven-member crew.
A great variety of ship-types including yachts, in this view of Amsterdam in 1610.
At that point in time, the bustling seaport on the Amstel river was an established commercial center in the heart of Europe and the departure port for both of Adriaen Block’s ships, the Tyger and the Fortuyn a couple of years later. Divided by more than a 160 canals, and 90 islands, the city is spanned by more than a 1,000 bridges today.
The “yacht” is a ship- type invented by the Dutch. The word “jacht” means the “hunt” or “chase” in English and the ship- type was given the name because of its speed. Yachts were first built by the Dutch in the late 16th century (into the 18th century) and because of their design were swift-sailing vessels.
Dutch yachts were not only known for their speed, but also for their mobility and load capacity. Usually of small and intermediate size, they became a very popular trading vessel in the Dutch merchant fleet, were active in naval combat and accompanied large commercial vessels on longer voyages to provide cover during unfriendly encounters or stormy weather. Only later in the 17th century they became known as pleasure yachts.
After Europeans arrived in New Netherland in the 1620’s and 30’s, the ship- type became a popular and useful vessel for coastal and river exploration or trade in the new settlements.
At that point in time, the bustling seaport on the Amstel river was an established commercial center in the heart of Europe and the departure port for both of Adriaen Block’s ships, the Tyger and the Fortuyn a couple of years later. Divided by more than a 160 canals, and 90 islands, the city is spanned by more than a 1,000 bridges today.
The “yacht” is a ship- type invented by the Dutch. The word “jacht” means the “hunt” or “chase” in English and the ship- type was given the name because of its speed. Yachts were first built by the Dutch in the late 16th century (into the 18th century) and because of their design were swift-sailing vessels.
Dutch yachts were not only known for their speed, but also for their mobility and load capacity. Usually of small and intermediate size, they became a very popular trading vessel in the Dutch merchant fleet, were active in naval combat and accompanied large commercial vessels on longer voyages to provide cover during unfriendly encounters or stormy weather. Only later in the 17th century they became known as pleasure yachts.
After Europeans arrived in New Netherland in the 1620’s and 30’s, the ship- type became a popular and useful vessel for coastal and river exploration or trade in the new settlements.