Hendrik Brouwer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hendrik Brouwer
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| 8th Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies | |
| In office 18 April 1632 – 1 January 1636 |
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| Preceded by | Jacques Specx |
| Succeeded by | Antonio van Diemen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Unknown date, c. 1581 Spanish Netherlands |
| Died | (aged 62) Puerto Inglés, Chiloé |
Hendrik Brouwer (born around 1581 – died August 7, 1643) was an important Dutch explorer. He also served as a governor for the Dutch East India Company. This company managed trade in places like Indonesia.
Contents
Exploring the East Indies
Hendrik Brouwer first sailed to the Dutch East Indies in 1606. He worked for the Dutch East India Company. This company was a big trading group from the Netherlands. In 1610, he went back to the Indies. This time, he was in charge of three ships.
The Brouwer Route
On his 1610 trip, Brouwer came up with a new way to sail. This was called the Brouwer Route. It was a path from South Africa to Java. This new route used strong westerly winds. These winds are found in an area called the "Roaring Forties." This area is between 40° and 50° south latitude.
The Brouwer Route made the journey much faster. It cut the travel time from about a year to only six months. Before this, Dutch ships followed a longer route. That route went along the coast of Africa. By 1617, the Dutch East India Company made all its ships use Brouwer's faster route.
Diplomat and Governor
After arriving in the East Indies in 1611, Brouwer went to Japan. He temporarily took over as the head of the Dutch trading post. This post was on an island called Dejima. He stayed there from August 1612 to August 1614. During this time, he visited the Japanese court in Edo (now Tokyo).
In 1613, he also traveled to Siam (now Thailand). This trip helped start Dutch trade with Siam.
In 1632, Brouwer was part of a group sent to London. They worked to solve trade problems. These problems were between the Dutch and English trading companies. After this, he went back to the Indies.
On April 18, 1632, he became the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies. He held this important job until January 1, 1636. Anthony van Diemen was his helper during this time. Brouwer suggested many of the Dutch explorations into the Pacific Ocean. Van Diemen later led these trips.
Expedition to Chile
In 1642, the Dutch East India Company joined another Dutch company. They planned an expedition to Chile. Their goal was to set up a base for trading gold. This base would be at the old ruins of Valdivia. The ships sailed from Dutch Brazil. There, they got supplies from John Maurice of Nassau.
While sailing around Cape Horn, the expedition made an important discovery. They found that Isla de los Estados was a separate island. It was not part of a large unknown southern land.
Brouwer's Death
After landing on Chiloé Island, Brouwer made a deal. He worked with the native Huilliches. They agreed to help set up the new settlement at Valdivia. However, on August 7, 1643, Hendrik Brouwer died. He was 62 years old. He died in Puerto Inglés before reaching Valdivia.
His second-in-command, Elias Herckmans, took over. Herckmans landed at the ruins of Valdivia on August 24. Brouwer's body was preserved and buried in Valdivia. The Dutch renamed the place Brouwershaven. This happened on September 16. Herckmans and his men stayed there until October 28.
Spanish Response
The Spanish in Peru heard that the Dutch might return. So, in 1644, the Spanish viceroy sent 1,000 men. They sailed in 20 ships. Their mission was to resettle Valdivia and build forts. The viceroy also sent 2,000 men by land. However, these land troops never made it.
The Spanish soldiers in the new fort dug up Brouwer's body. Then, they burned it.
See also
In Spanish: Enrique Brouwer para niños
