Action at Tamanana 9 September 1645

A Dutch squadron under Johan Cornelisz. Lichthart destroyed or captured all seven Portuguese ships besides their smaller vessels in an attack on the harbour of Tamanuda on the coast of Brazil.

This drawing illustrates the six Dutch ships, two flutes and three bezan-rigged yachts in line ahead, running into the harbour and bringing-to on the starboard tack to engage the Portuguese at anchor in the right background. In the right foreground there is a port quarter view of the ‘Eenhoorn’, the last ship of the line. Then in line ahead of her the flute ‘Leiden’ with a flag at the mizzen; the ‘Ree’ or ‘Gouden Ree’; the flute ‘Zoutelandia’; the ‘Overijssel’; the ‘Zeelandia’ with a flag at the fore, hauling her wind; the ‘Ter Veere’ on the starboard tack; and at the head of the line, the ‘Utrecht’, the Dutch Admiral, opening fire on the Portuguese flagship.

Object Details

ID: PAI1479
Type: Drawing
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Velde, Willem van de, the Elder
Places: Tamandare
Date made: 1645
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Sheet: 157 x 230 mm; Mount: 320 x 482 mm