De Veenboer
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| De Veenboer | |
|---|---|
| d. 1620 | |
| Nickname: | Sulayman Reis |
| Type: | Corsair, pirate |
| Place of birth: | Hoorne, Netherlands |
| Place of death: | near Algiers |
| Allegiance: | Netherlands |
| Years of service: | c. 1607-c. 1620 |
| Rank: | Admiral |
| Base of Operations: | Algiers |
| Battles/wars: | Eighty Years' War |
De Veenboer (d. October 10, 1620) was a 17th century Dutch corsair. A privateer during the Eighty Years' War, he later turned to piracy and became an officer under Simon the Dancer. He later converted to Islam and, becoming known as Süleyman Reis (also spelled Sulayman, Soliman or Slemen Reis), he had a highly successful career as a Barbary corsair commanding the Algiers corsair fleet during his later years.
[edit] Biography
Born in Hoorn, De Veenboer first came to prominence as a privateer for the Dutch Republic against the Spanish during the Eighty Years' War. He operated legally under a letter of marque from the Dutch Admiralty, but left the service of the Republic after little success. He joined other former corsairs operating in North Africa, becoming an officer under Simon the Dancer sometime between 1606 and 1609. De Veenboer found far more success on the Barbary coast and, while in Algiers, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Sulayman Reis. He was later given the title of Soliman-ray (or Admiral) while visting Constantinople and, by 1617, he was in command of his own fleet. He most often used the colors of Algiers, however his crew were predominantly Dutch and always had the Dutch flag raised when attacking the Spanish.
He eventually wished to return to the Netherlands and attempted to negotiate with Dutch authorities through Wynant de Keyser and the Dutch consul in Algiers to receive a pardon. Although he had stopped attacking Dutch shipping for the most part, taking care of the safe return of its crew when his did, an argument between he and de Keyser ended his hopes to be exonerated for his crimes.
In 1618, he was at the height of his power commanding fifty warships in his fleet which were split into separate squadrons. Several future corsairs sailed in his fleet, most notably, Jan Janszoon who worked as a steerer. [1] That same year, De Veenboer lost his position of leadership to Mustapha Reis. After battling with several merchant ships, involving five Dutch ships, one French and one Italian ship, Reis and another corsair captured two of the ships while the remainder were allowed to escape.
He decided to retire, capturing one last ship with a cargo of sugar, before settling in Algiers. His retirement lasted only a brief time however as, in early 1620, he sailed out from port capturing a rich French prize. While sailing of the coast in July of that year, he and four other ships slowed by a dead calm and surprised by three Dutch men-of-war under Captains 't Hoen, Cleijnsorgh and Schaeff. He and two other ships managed to escape, although his flagship was heavily damaged. He managed to make his way to Algiers in August and, after a month in port undergoing repairs, he once again left Algiers with eight ships under his command. He and his small fleet were at sea for over two months before encountering a naval squadron of one Dutch, two French and two English warships on October 10, 1620. De Veenboer decided to engage them and, after a long battle, was killed after being struck by a cannonball shattering both his legs. [2]
[edit] References
- This article is based on a translation of De Veenboer from the Dutch Wikipedia (2008-05-27).
- ^ Bruyneel, M. (2005). Privateers and Pirates: Jan Janszoon. Isle of Tortuga.
- ^ Bruyneel, M. (2005). Privateers and Pirates: De Veenboer. Isle of Tortuga.
[edit] Further readings
- Vrijman, L.C. Kaapvaart en zeeroverij. Amsterdam: L.C. Vrijman, 1938.
