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Resolution drafted aboard the ship De Melckmeyt, this 9th of November 1644.

After a distressing storm before Sunday we were born into the wrong channel against our will; because of the southeast wind, we could not put into the correct channel, and we were in want of water because there were only two barrels left for 61 mouths. Therefore we considered it entirely unadvisable to sail away from shore, especially because we have been able to distribute no more than five mutsjens [ of water ] per person every eight to ten days, without depriving the cook of what is necessary for cooking, whereby the people then began to come down with scurvy and weaken; therefore, they requested today that one harbor or another be chosen in order to take on water and to refreshing the people somewhat, which we, the undersigned, have taken into consideration with one another and have decided, for the benefit of the Company and the preservation of its ship De Melckmeyt, to put in at the first suitable harbor in Ireland. It is highly necessary to do so for the aforesaid reasons because we will have no better opportunity to reach harbors with this southeast wind; in addition, our bowsprit broke in the last storm just before securing it, and because it snapped off above the stay it is necessary that something be attempted for the preservation of the foresail mast, which could not be done at sea because of the rough water. Thus done at the place, year and day as stated above.

References

Translation: Gehring, C., trans./ed., Curaçao Papers, 1640-1665 (New Netherland Research Center and the New Netherland Institute: 2011).A complete copy of this publication is available on the New Netherland Institute website.