Jacques l'Hermite facts for kids

Jacques l'Hermite (born around 1582 – died June 2, 1624) was a brave Flemish merchant, explorer, and admiral. He is famous for leading a big journey around the world with his ships, called the Nassau Fleet, from 1623 to 1626. During this trip, he also led an attack on the city of Callao in 1624, where he sadly passed away. Before this, he worked for the Dutch East India Company as a main merchant in places like Bantam and Ambon Island in the Dutch East Indies. The Hermite Islands near Cape Horn in Chile are named after him because his fleet mapped them in 1624.

Early Life and Family

Jacques l'Hermite was born in Antwerp, which was part of the County of Flanders (now Belgium), around the year 1582. When he was very young, in 1585, the city of Antwerp was captured by the Spanish Empire. Because of this, his family moved north to Amsterdam and later settled in Rotterdam, both in the Dutch Republic. In 1606, Jacques left the Dutch Republic and spent the next six years working far away in the Dutch East Indies.

A Career in Trade and Exploration

In 1606, Jacques l'Hermite began his career by sailing to the Dutch East Indies. He went as a secretary on a fleet of ships led by Admiral Cornelis Matelief Jr.. In 1607, he was given an important job as the chief merchant on a ship called the Black Lion. From 1607 to 1611, l'Hermite worked as the main merchant (called opperkoopman in Dutch) for the Dutch East India Company in Bantam, a busy trading city in the Dutch East Indies. After six years of working abroad, he returned home to Amsterdam. In March 1613, he married Theodora van Wely.

Leading the Nassau Fleet

In April 1623, something very important happened. Prince Maurice of Nassau and the Dutch government asked l'Hermite to lead a fleet of eleven ships. This fleet was known as the Nassau Fleet, and its main ship was called the Amsterdam. The fleet set sail from Amsterdam on a long journey around the world, heading west. Their main goals were to find and capture Spanish silver ships leaving Peru and to start a Dutch colony in either Peru or Chile. At that time, these areas were part of the Viceroyalty of Peru, controlled by Spain.

Challenges on the Voyage

Even though Admiral l'Hermite was in charge, his Vice-Admiral Gheen Huygen Schapenham and Rear-Admiral Julius Wilhelm Van Verschoor often led the fleet. This was because l'Hermite, like many of his crew, became very sick with dysentery during the journey. In early 1624, the fleet sailed past Cape Horn through the Lemaire Channel. They explored and mapped the Hermite Islands, which were later named after him. In May 1624, the fleet blocked the port of Callao and attacked the cities of Pisco and Guayaquil. However, they were not able to set up a new colony. Because of this, the fleet had to continue its journey west towards the Dutch East Indies.

Death of a Brave Explorer

Jacques l'Hermite died on June 2, 1624, while his fleet was blocking the port of Callao. He had been suffering from dysentery and scurvy for several months. He was buried on San Lorenzo Island, which is an island off the coast of Callao, Peru.

See also

In Spanish: Jacques L'Hermite para niños

• Pirates in Callao