I am researching two Dutch ships of the West India Company, from the mid-1650's. One is simply described as a "ship" by the name of Coninck Salomon (King Solomon) which, among other voyages, departed the Netherlands in August 1653, and arrived in New Amsterdam 10 weeks later, in November. It sailed in tandem with another ship, De Gelderse Blom, (the Flower of Gelder[land]), which is described as a "galjoot" (galiot). I find no other descriptions of the particular-named vessels, and no reference to the Salomon as being a fluyt, jacht, East Indiaman, or any other build. The ship is later (1657 and later) said to have been used in the slave trade between West Africa and Curacao/Brazil. The artwork of L.F. Tantillo in the painting "A View of Fort Orange, 1652" shows what is identified as the Gelderse Blom, but it is based on the general description of a galjoot, not on any specifications, that I can discover. The Blom is said to have made yearly voyages from the Netherlands to New Amsterdam for several years.
I would appreciate any historical information any of you may have, to pass along.
I would appreciate any historical information any of you may have, to pass along.