Veerse Compagnie facts for kids
The Veerse Compagnie was an early trading company from the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. This country is now known as the Netherlands. The company was started by Balthazar de Moucheron. He was a ship owner from Antwerp, a city in what is now Belgium. After Antwerp was captured in 1585, he moved his business to Zeeland in the Netherlands.
The Veerse Compagnie had two ships. Their names were 'Leeuw' (Lion) and 'Leeuwin' (Lioness). Cornelis Houtman led their journey. The ships left the city of Veere on March 28, 1598. They returned to the Netherlands in 1600.
What Was a Voorcompagnie?
A voorcompagnie was a special name for trading companies. These companies were from the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. They traded with Asia between 1594 and 1602. Later, all these smaller companies joined together. They formed a much bigger company called the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
Rich merchants from the northern parts of the Netherlands helped pay for these companies. Also, wealthy people who had moved from the southern parts of the Netherlands invested money. There was a lot of competition between these early companies. Because of this, the government made them unite. The new, bigger company, the Dutch East India Company, then got special rights. For 21 years, only they could trade with Asia.
The Veerse Compagnie's Journey
In 1597, Cornelis de Houtman successfully sailed to Indonesia. This was called the "First Dutch Expedition." He went around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa. After this, Balthazar de Moucheron decided to focus on this new trade route.
Moucheron started the Veerse Compagnie. He became a very important owner of the company. In 1598, the Veerse Compagnie sent its two ships, De Leeuw and De Leeuwin, to East-India. Cornelis de Houtman and his brother Frederik de Houtman were in charge.
The ships came back in 1600. Sadly, the two brothers did not return with them. Cornelis was killed, and Frederik was captured in a place called Atjeh. This trip was not very successful in making money for the company.
