Tools: Three Silver Ships

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The three silver ships


Editorial history

Created 28/06/2015 by CSG




Background


Three large ships (The Salvador, the Sampson and the Saint George) were of supposed Lubeck and Hamburg build and ownership. The Saint George and the Salvadore were allegedly built in Hamburg in 1642 and 1647 respectively, whereas the Sampson was allegedly built in Lubeck in 1647. Interestingly, a Hamburg born mariner and ship master believed the master shipwright in the building of the Salvador to have been Dutch born, though resident in Hamburg with his wife and family for at least fourteen years, and that many of the servants and workmen employed by the Dutch born master shipwright were Hollanders.[1]

The three silver ships were described by a number of witnesses as of "great burthen", which means they would have been of 400 or 500 tons burthen, possibly more.[2] Christian Cloppenburgh specifically states that the Sampson was "of the burthen of about 500 tonnes."[3] The Mercurius, which was in Cadiz at the same time as the three silver ships, was described as "a broad sterned shipp haveinge three or fower and twenty guns, Hollands built att least in appeareance and about 400 tuns burthen."[4]

The masters of each of the three silver ships were highly experienced mariners. The forty three year old Hamburger, Christian Cloppenburgh, master of the Salvador, attested to having twenty-six years experience of navigation.[5]

The three ships were part of a large number of foreign ships spending the summer of 1652 waiting for the Spanish "plate fleet" to arrive from the West Indies. This fleet, carrying great quantities of bullion, arrived around mid-summer, and subsequently a number of foreign ships departed for Northern Europe carrying bullion and other goods from the Spanish West Indies and Spain, including cochineal and wool. Other foreign ships at Cadiz that summer were the Mercurius of Hamburg, the Golden Sunn, the White Swann and the Prophet Elias. The master of the Prophet Elias dying in Cadiz, her voyage was cancelled and her silver and other goods "were taken out and distributed and put into the said other shipps the Sampson, the Salvador, the Saint George and the Mercury.[6]

The three ships were captured by the English in mid/late October 1652 in the English Channel off of Portsmouth with highly valuable cargos of bullion. The ships were on their way from Cadiz with bullion from the Spanish West Indies going northwards. It was disputed in court as to whether the ships were bound legally for the Spanish Netherlands (Ostend or Dunkirk), or illegally for Amsterdam in the United Netherlands, with which England had been at war since July 10th 1652.[7] The ships were brought from their place of seizure to the River Thames, where they were moored near Woolwich, and where they remained from 1652 until at least early 1655.

The case was endowed with political as well as commercial weight - the Protectorate was keen to have the bullion declared lawfull prize, but the Spanish government contested this. The many and varied court depositions and other English Admiralty (and English State Paper) records give very granular and highly colourful accounts of Seville and Cadiz, Hamburg and Lubeck, the Spanish Netherlands, the by-ways between the Spanish Netherlands and Amsterdam by which bullion could be smuggled overland and by canal, and the River Thames, where the ships and sailors were held following seizure. Thomas Violet, a rather dodgy goldsmith, was involved as an agitator on behalf of the Protectorate, and published a pamphlet pleading for reimbursement of his efforts, which supplements the HCA material on the MarineLives wiki.[8]

Admiralty Court cases and chronology

You will find more than one Admiralty Court case mentioning the three Silver ships. In addition to the three main cases brought by the Commonwealth against each of the three ships and their owners to have them declared lawful prize, you will find cases brought by Spanish, English and Dutch merchants, demanding restitution of goods they claimed to have onboard on one or more of the three ships.[9]

Our provisional and still incomplete chronology of events shows the main Admiralty Court cases against the three silver ships and their goods to have them declared prize close to resolution in December 1652 in favour of the ships, only to be blocked by intervention of Thomas Violet, and Dr William Walker Judge advocate for the Council of State. Sentences were actually issued iby the Judges of the Admiralty Court in early 1655 to have the ships and their freight set free, but were again blocked by an action of Thomas Violet, as evidenced by petitions from two of the masters of the detained ships. However, at the intervention of the goldsmith Thomas Violet, the ships were further detained.[10]

Involvement of the Council of State and the Committee for Trade and Foreign Affairs

1652

Dec 3rd: The Council of State recorded on Dec. 3rd 1652 that "The Committee for Foreign Affairs to sit on Monday. The Admiralty Judges and Dr. Walker to attend, and report what has been done in that court about the ships Samson, Salvador, and George."[11]

Dec 6th: The Council of State recorded on Dec. 6th 1652 making an "Order, on consideration of the proceedings in the Admiralty Court against the Samson, Salvadore, and George, that Council sees no reason to alter their resolutions, but the Admiralty Judges are to proceed against them according to law and justice."[12]

Dec 7th: The Council of State recorded on Dec. 7th 1652 that "The Committee for Foreign Affairs to consider Mr. Violet's paper concerning the silver on board the Samson, Salvador, and George."[13]

Dec 9th: The Council of State recorded on Dec. 9th 1652 that "The petition of the officers and mariners of the Samson referred to the Admiralty Judges."[14]

Dec 10th: Of possible relevance, the Council of State recorded on Dec. 10th 1652 that "The paper for the Spanish Ambassafdor, now read, to be signed and sent to him to-morrow by Sir Oliver Fleming."[15]

Dec 13th: The Council of State recorded on Dec. 13th 1652 that "Mr. Violet to assist, on behalf of the commonwealth, in the prosecution of the suits now in the Court of Admiralty against the Samson, Salvador, and George, and to acquaint Dr. Walker from time to time what he has to offer in reference to them."[16]

Dec 15th: Of possible relevance, the Committee for Trade and Foreign Affairs recorded on Dec. 15th 1652 "Mr. Thurloe to look over the several letters from the Senate of Hamburg, concerning their ships stayed here, and to inquire into the proceedings in the Admiralty Court against those ships, and report."[17]

Dec 20th: Of possible relevance, Council of State recorded on Dec. 20th 1652 that "The Commissioners for Sale of Dutch Prize Goods to send all bullion, gold, and silver, taken from time to time and adiudged prize, to the Tower to be coined."[18]

Dec ?: Nine and a half page, unfinished, certificate of the Admiralty Judges to Parliament, dated Dec. ? 1652, "on their order to peruse the acts made by the Admiralty Court concerning the seizure of the ships St. Salvador and St. George of Hamburg, and the Samson of Lubec, as also their lading, and to state the whole matter of gact thereupon, as it stands in their court; also to consider the reasons given by the Spanish Ambassador against their proceedings, as being injurious and against the law and practice of nations. That it was alleged in November 1652, that the Samson and Salvador belonged to subiects of the King of Spain, and the Ambassador complains that the Admiralty Court, instead of ordering the takers to prove them enemy's goods, order the Spaniards to prove the contrary, which is against law, they being in possession. Arguments on both sides. Presumptions that the hoods are Hollanders', because the States gave particular order for them to be protected against the English, which were needless had they been from Spain, with which there is free trade and no war. The rule is that neutral powers are to be impartial, and not colour the goods of nations in hostility. Any silver or goods of the Hollanders, though laden in ships of Spain, Flanders, or Hamburg, are prize."[19]

1653

Jan 3rd: The Committee for Trade and Foreign Affairs recorded on Jan. 3rd 1653 that "The deposition of Mr. Violet to be considered to-morrow, Sir Sack. Crowe, Pompey Kalendrine, the Admiralty Judges and Dr Walker to attend."[20]

Jan 7th:The Committee for Trade and Foreign Affairs recorded on Jan. 7th 1653 that "The Admiralty Judges to send an account to Mr. Thurloe tomorrow of their proceedings against the Samson, Salvador, and George, and the whole state of that business."[21]

Mar 31st:The Council of State recorded on March 31st 1653 that Dr Walker, the advocate for the Commonwealth, was "to print his arguments against the pleas of the advocate from Flanders, and the arguments of the civilians of Louvaine, made upon a sentence lately given in the Court of Admiralty against the plate ships."[22]

Apr 1st:The Committee for Trade and Foreign Affairs recorded on April 1st 1653 that "the petitions of Juan Mexica de Herrera and Juan deLossa Barrona to be sent to the Admiralty Judges, to report to this Committee what should be done in the cases, returning the petitions."[23]

Apr 7th: The Committee for Trade and Foreign Affairs recorded on April 7th 1653 on the petition and remonstrance of severall Spaniards "claiming tobacco in the Samson, Salvador, and George, now in the Thames," that Thurloe confer with Drs Walker and Gierke and others, and inquire into the state of their case, and what shoudl be done thereon, and report.[24]

Sources

You will also find information about the silver ships in other primary sources, including, but not limited to, the English State Papers (which you can access through British History Online).

A key printed primary source is a pamphlet by the goldsmith Thomas Violet, titled: "A true narrative of the proceedings in the Court of Admiraltie against the ships Sampson, Salvador, and George, their silver and lading and an accompt presented what silver was taken out of the said ships and coined in the Tower (being above two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds,) all which silver the Common-wealth got by the chargeable prosecution and discovery of Tho. Violet, who saved the Common-wealth this silver, Dec. 16. 1652", and published in 1659.

You can find some secondary material on the conversion of the seized bullion into English coinage in Henry William Henfrey's Numismata Cromwelliana.[25]

You can find short profiles and contemporary maps of a number of countries and places of importance in this case within the MarineLives wiki. See Spain, Spanish Netherlands, United Netherlands, Cadiz, Seville, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Lubeck and the River Thames.

Evidence from Admiralty Court depositions

Several London merchants gave evidence on behalf of the alleged owners of the three silver ships and the goods on board the same ships. For example, the thirty-two year old London merchant Giles Vandeputt reported receiving letters of advice in late October 1652 from John Bollart, a merchant and burger of Antwerp (in the Spanish Netherlands) stating that Bollart had caused his factors and correspondents at Cadiz to load quantities of silver and plate on board the Salvador and the Saint George to be transported for Ostend, where they were to be discharged and delivered for the account of Bollart. At Bollart's request, Vandeputt claims he took out several policies of assurance drawn at the Assurance Office in London for Bollart's silver.[26]

Two London merchants with extensive experience of Spanish trade (Roger Kilvert (b.?, d.ca.1657) and Antonio Fernandez Caravajall (b. ca.?, d. ca. 1659)) gave evidence regarding the illict bullion trade from the Spanish Netherlands to Amsterdam.[27] Kilvert stated that the lading and export of bullion from Spain was absolutely forbidden without special licence, and that any bullion found on board ships without licence was subject to confiscation. Nevertheless, many merchants exported bullion illegally, putting "feigned and unknowne names" in their bills of lading for the senders of the bullion, or leaving blanks where the names should be. But "the contents of the plate laden and the parties to whome consigned is usually plainely expressed."[28] Kilvert suggested that the Dutch were active exporters of illegal bullion, just as were merchants of other nations. Evidence from a separate case in the English Admiralty Court from November 1656 suggests that a commercial relationship existed between Kilvert and Caravajall.[29]

A motley band of witnesses (William Astell, Abraham Johnson and William Pembridge) gave evidence of alleged conversations with one of the crew of the Salvador. They appear to have been hired by the London based Prize Office to spy on the crew of the silver ships in the inns and victualling houses of Woolwich, close to where the ships were moored. These witnesses claimed to have been drinking with the trumpeter of the Salvador in a house knowne by the sign of the shipp at the Woolwich Waterside on the evening of Friday 21st January 1653 and the early morning of the ensuing Saturday, together with "one Mr Simonds belonging to the prize office."[30] The alleged conversations took place in a mixture of Dutch and English. The witnesses were of varied background and no doubt incentivised by the prospect of monetary reward from either the Prize Office, or possibly from Thomas Violet.

William Astell was a sixty year old surgeon of the parish of Allhallowes Barking. A "Lieutenant of horse for the Parliament for the most part of the late warrs", he had fallen on hard times. He paid his parish dues, but "not any thinge to the taxes of the army or navie, not being of abilitie thereto, having bin plundred by the kings partie.[31] William Pembridge was a forty-two year old haberdasher of the parish of Saint Magnus London. He had a pre-existing connection with the London prize office, and "useth to waite aboard shipps for the prize office".[32]

Abraham Johnson was a thirty-five year old sail-maker, living at the time of his first Admiralty Court deposition in Saint Catherine's Lane near the Tower of London.[33] Apparently English by birth, with English as his mother tongue he also spoke fluent Low Dutch, "having lived 26 or 27 yeares in holland (ended about 14 monethes since)" (that is in September 1652).[34] Abraham Johnson claimed additionally to have known Otto George, the master of the Sampson, when Johnson dwelled in Amsterdam. Moreover Johnson claimed to have been the sailmaker on board the Sampson on a former voyage, havings served for eighteen months on her, about seven or eight years before his deposition.[35] His evidence contradicted that of Astell and Pembridge, recalling that they conversed with mariners from the Salvador in the Bell, rather than the Ship, in Woolwich.[36] Johnson claimed to have witnessed the delivery of silver out of the Sampson by Otto George on a prior voyage of the Sampson.[37] Johnson claimed to have been in Amsterdam in the summer of 1652 and to know that the Mercurius sailed to Amsterdam, delivering her silver to Mathew ffransen, a sailmaker dwelling there. Moreover, Johnson claimed subsequently to have met in Amsterdam with sailors from the Golden Sunn, whom he claimed acknowledged that "they came from Cadiz with silver and other goods bound for Amsterdam and that in their course they were chased into Ostend, and being there they there delivered the silver (as they said) which they brought from Cadiz."[38]

Jurian Martinson, a thirty-four year old mariner from Flensburg (fflintzborough) in Holsteinland, was a witness for the Commonwealth. He claimed to have been in Amsterdam in late 1652. Somewhat before Christmas 1652, according to Martinson, news arrived there "of the seizure of the said three shipps the Sampson, the Salvador and the Saint George with the silver and other goods in them brought from Cadiz; and saith that upon the said newes there was much sorrowing and generall lamentations at Amsterdam for and by reason of the said seizure, and it was then and there generally and commonly said that the said silver or a great part thereof was belonging to them of Amsterdam and other the subiects of the States of the United Netherlands, and that they would have a very greate losse and dammadge by the said seizure".[39] Martinson, according to his own testimony, had been a sailor on board the Mercurius, and stated that the ship had been bound for Amsterdam "but afterwards therev comming newes of warrs betwixt England and holland, they the said masters gave out that they were all bound for Ostend or dunquirke and as hee heard got passes at Cales to that purpose, and of his knowledge the said shipp the Mercurius got a passe for fflanders, notwithstanding that shee was (to the time of the said newes of the said warrs) intended for Amsterdam."[40]

The fifty nine year old London merchant Stephen Puckle of East Smithfield was also a witness for the Commonwealth. He told the Court that he had been a resident of Rotterdam for twenty years until the recent war with the United Netehrlands, and that he spoke fluent Dutch.[41] Puckle reported being in London when the three silver ships were brought to England, and shortly afterwards, in November of 1652 "had occasion to repair agayne into Holland for the selling, and disposing of an house, and garden and some other things which he had att Roterdam."[42] Puckle described being ar Rotterdam, Leyden, Delft and the Hague that month and that at that time it was "commonly and generally talked of and reported, that the States of the United Provinces and their subiects had an exceeding great losse by reason of the seizure of the sayd shipps by the English and there was of this deponents sight and observation a generall and great lamenting in those places for the sayd loss."[43] Giving more detail, Puckle described being in the company of a number of Dutchmen on November 22nd 1652 (new style), travelling on a barge or skute from Delft to the Hague. He stated that "the sayd Dutch amongst other matters fell into discourse about the takeing of the sayd three shipps by the English which had the plate and sylber in them, meaning and speaking of the sayd shipps Sampson Salvador and Saint George above mentioned, And in that discourse one of the sayd dutch men who was one of the Lords of delph and a Bewinthebber of the Dutch East India Company did then and there in the presence and hearing of him this deponent confidently affirme to the rest of the gentlemen in company together in the sayd skute, that the plate and sylver which was on board those shipps then lately seized by the English meaning and speaking of the foresayd three shipps did belong to severall dutchmen of Amsterdam and harlem or to that effect, And further also sayd that although it might be pretended that the sayd sylver did belong to Hamburgh, yet att last (sayd he) it will fall upon our owne heads, meaning and speaking of the Dutch that were subiects of the States aforesayd, And further then likewise added that the English were subtile enough to find out the ground of the busines, or to the selfe same effect and purpose, for which reasons this deponent for his part did and doth verily beleive that the plate and sylver in the sayd three shipps did and doth really belong to the subiects of the sayd States of the United Netherland Provinces."[44]

A number of mariners from the three silver ships were called as witnesses on behalf of the ships and their owners. These included Hance Ramke, a forty year old mariner of Hamburg, who was formerly a member of the company of the Salvador, and who had been to Spain in her on her last but one voyage. He had left the Salvador at Amsterdam to return to Hamburg on her previous voyage, and was now once again a member of her company now in London, though not present on her when she was seized by the English. Ramke testified to being present at the building and launching of the Salvador at Hamburg in 1647.[45] He identified the ship's owners as Hamburg merchants and gave the names of four of them as Daniel Brandes, Jerome Switger, Jerome Peterson and Henderick Hambrooke.[46] Another witness was the thirty-six year old Hamburg resident and mariner, Henrick Vett - formerly a member of the crew of the Saint George. He was a brother-in-law of John Martindorp, the ship's captain. He testified to having witnessed the ships's building at Hamburg in 1642, and appears to have kept the books for the ship for the last 19 months prior to his deposition in the English Admiralty Court in November 1654.[47]

Another Hamburg mariner (though not on any of the three silvers ships), thirty-five year old Joachim Beane, similarly reported having witnessed the building of the Salvador, and the departure of the same ship on her first voyage, which was in June 1647.[48] Beane had been present in Cadiz himself in the summer of 1652, as master of the ship the White Swann, and had sent the Salvador riding there under the command of Christian Cloppenburgh. Beane was able to list eight owners of the Salvador - in addition to the four named by Ramke, Beane added John Baptista Parker, Vincent Clingeburgh, Derrick Rourke and Gerrit Bowmaster, claiming that all eight were merchants of Hamburg.[49]

Timeline


Please enter below all events relating to the Admiralty court case of three Silver ships. Be as specific as possible in terms of day, month, and year.

Please note whether the dates you enter are New or Old style (typically non-English witnesses will use New Style dates, and English witnesses will use Old style dates. In the 1650s the same day in New style was ten days ahead in terms of date compared with Old style.[50]


1642


Month unspecified: The ship the Saint George was built at Hamburg.[51]

1643


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1644


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1645


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1646


Month unspecified: The ship the Sampson was built and completed in Lubeck in 1646.[52]

1647


Month unspecified: The ship the Salvador was built at Hamburg[53]

June 1647: Departure of the Salvador on her first voyage from Hamburg to Spain[54]

1648


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1649


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1650


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1651


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1652


June 1652: The ship the Golden Sunn (Master: Peter Tam) departed Cadiz bound for Ostend. The ship ws laden with cutcheneale by the Governor of Cadiz "in the service of his Catholique Majestie in fflanders.[55]

?July/August/September 1652: Arrival at Cadiz of the "Plate fleete of Spaine" from the West Indies[56]

September 1652: The ship the Mercurius (Master: Hance Yonger) departed Cadiz a full month and above before the ships the Sampson, Salvadore and Saint George departed from the same port.[57] According to Henry Slegar, a sailor on the Salvadore, the Mercuius set sail from Cadiz in the company of the Saint John Evangelist (Master: John de Vas).[58]

October 10th, 11th or 12th 1652 [old style]: Departure of the ships the Sampson, Salvadore and Saint George from Cadiz bound allegedly for Ostend.[59]

As early as October 28th 1652; as late as November 2nd 1652 [old style]: Seizure of the ships the Sampson, Salvadore and Saint George by the English in the English Channel. Matter of legal dispute as to the intended destination of the ships. Hamburg sailor Henry Slegar, who was onboard the Salvadore at the time of her seizure, states that she was seozed "in the English Channell off of Portsmouth" about eighteen days or three weeks after departing Cadiz.[60] Christian Cloppenburgh, master of the Salvador, states the three silver ships departed Cadiz on October 10th, 11th or 12th 1652 and were seized in the English channell eighteen or twenty days later.[61]

October 28th 1652: London merchant Gyles Vandeputt claims he took out several policies of assurance drawn at the Assurance Office in London for Antwerp merchant John Bollart's silver on bord the ships the Saint George and the Salvador.[62]

November 22nd 1652 [new style] [November 12th old style]: London merchant Stephen Puckle described being in the company of a number of Dutchmen on November 22nd 1652 (new style), travelling on a barge or skute from Delft to the Hague. He stated that "the sayd Dutch amongst other matters fell into discourse about the takeing of the sayd three shipps by the English which had the plate and sylber in them, meaning and speaking of the sayd shipps Sampson Salvador and Saint George above mentioned, And in that discourse one of the sayd dutch men who was one of the Lords of delph and a Bewinthebber of the Dutch East India Company did then and there in the presence and hearing of him this deponent confidently affirme to the rest of the gentlemen in company together in the sayd skute, that the plate and sylver which was on board those shipps then lately seized by the English meaning and speaking of the foresayd three shipps did belong to severall dutchmen of Amsterdam and harlem or to that effect, And further also sayd that although it might be pretended that the sayd sylver did belong to Hamburgh, yet att last (sayd he) it will fall upon our owne heads, meaning and speaking of the Dutch that were subiects of the States aforesayd, And further then likewise added that the English were subtile enough to find out the ground of the busines, or to the selfe same effect and purpose, for which reasons this deponent for his part did and doth verily beleive that the plate and sylver in the sayd three shipps did and doth really belong to the subiects of the sayd States of the United Netherland Provinces."[63]

November & December 1652: Spanish Ambassador in London and various agents of Duke Leopoldus and Licencees of the King of Spain living in Antwerp asserted to the Admiralty Court, the Council of State and the English Parliament that "all the lading, both silver and merchandize in the said ships, did appertain to the King of Spain and his subjects, and none other"[64]

Early December 1652: Order of English Parliament to the Admiralty Court Judges to proceed to judgement concerning the three silver ships[65]

December 8th 1652: The goldsmith Thomas Violet laidd a paper before the Council of State begging a strict enquiry relative to the three silver ships as they awaited judgement in the Admiralty Court as to whether they were good prize.[66] Violet claims subsequently that his paper or writing was referred to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, and that in his writing "Your Supplicant discovered the fraudulent Practises of the Spanish Embassadour, an[?d] Duke Leopoldus and his Agents, to defraud the Parliament of a Vast Summ of Treasure, above three hundred Thousand Pounds; which was brought up into the River as a Prize, in three ships, viz. The Sampson, Salvador, and George".[67]

December 13th 1652: Council of State ordered that Thomas Violet assist Dr Walker, the Commonwealth advocate, in prosecuting the three silver ships.[68]

December 17th 1652: Thomas Violet made a protest in the Admiralty Court "against the Judges and their Proceedings." Apparently this was the day the Judges were intending to discharge the ships.[69]

December 17th 1652: Thomas Violet was required to appeare before the Council of State at 3 pm, at the demand of the Admiralty Court, "to answer before the Counsel for his actions. Judge Exton, for the Admiralty Court, apparently clained that Violet's protest was "made against and contrary to an order of Parliament". Violet claims that "upon full debate in the Counsel of State, these three ships and silver were all (by Order of Counsel) stayed" and Violet thanked for his service, "and presently commanded with all diligence to make his proof, whereby to disprove the Spanish Ambassadors Claims"[70]

1653


Possibly early 1653: Petition of Juan de lossa Barrona, a Spaniard born in Segovia, Spain, regarding the seizure of his goods in the ship the Saint George of Hamburg (Master: John Martin), leading to he himself being detained in London hoping that the ship with her lading would be released "to finish her voyage to Ostend". The ship not being released, the petitioners business affairs pressed for him to depart to Flanders.[71]

January 21st or 22nd 1653: Various Admiralty Court deponents testifying on behalf of the Commonwealth claim to have been in company of Cornelius Peterson, trumpeter of the ship the Salvador at the sign of the ship in Woolwich, and that Petrson confessed that all three silver ships belonged to Holland and specifically that the ship the Salvador was bound for Amsterdam when she was seized.[72]

1654


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1655


April 3rd 1655: Petition to the English Admiralty Court judges of Christian Cloppenburgh, master of the ship the Sampson, on behalf of himself and the rest of the owners of the ship. States his ship has been detained for more than two years depending on a suit in the Admiralty Court about proving her to be prize and that a sentence had recently been passed by the Court setting the ship and her freight free. However, Thomas Violet had put in information that some silver had been purloyned or embeazled out of a different ship (the Salvadore (Master: Otto George)), and that under this pretence the ship had been further detained. Asked the Court that his ship be speedily discharged to save him and it from utter ruin.[73]

April 3rd 1655: Petition to the English Admiralty Court judges of John Martindorp, master of the ship the Saint George, on behalf of himself and the rest of the owners of the ship. Similar plea to the petition of the same date made by Christian Cloppenburgh.[74]


1656


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1657


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1658


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1659


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Witness list


Please add witness details and linked references in alphabetical order of witness.

William Astell of the parish of Allhallows Barking London Chirurgeon aged 60 yeares[75]
William Astell of the parish of All Hallowes Barking London Chirurgeon, aged 60 yeares[76]
Beniamin Bathurst of London Merchant aged 19 yeares
Albert Bechere of the free Citie of Lubeck Mariner at present Master or Commander of the shipp the King David of London aged 47. yeares[77]
Joachim Beene of hamborough Mariner aged 35. yeares[78]
Joachim Beene of hamborough Mariner aged 35. yeares[79]
Antonio Fernandez Caravashall of London Merchant aged 54 yeares[80]
Antonio Fernandez Caravashell of London Merchant aged 54 yeares[81]
Christian Cloppenburgh of hamborough Mariner aged 43. yeares[82]
Christian Cloppenburgh of Hamborough Mariner Master of the shipp the Salvadore aged 44 yeares[83]
Christian Cloppenburgh of hamborough Mariner aged 43 yeares[84]
Antonio da Ponte of Teneriffa in the Canary Islands merchant aged twenty eight yeares,ref>|HCA 13/68 f.61v</ref>
Antonio Estevan de Balderas of Limma in the West Indies merchant aged 38 yeares[85]
Carsten Franck of Lubeck Shipwright aged 32. yeares[86]
Carsten Franck of Lubeck shipwright aged 32. yeares[87]
Abraham Johnson of the precinct of Saint Catherins neere the Tower of London Sailemaker aged 35 yeares[88]
Magdalena Hendricks the wife of Abraham Johnson living in the Minories neere London aged thirty two yeares[89]
Magdalena Hendrickes the wife of Abraham Johnson living in the Minneries nere London wall saylemaker, aged thirtie two yeares[90]
Roger Kilvert of London Marchant, aged 67 yeares[91]
Robert Kilvert of London Merchant aged 67. yeares[92]
John Lowers of Masterland in Norway Mariner aged 26. yeares[93]
John Lowers of Masterland in Norway Mariner aged 26. yeares[94]
John Martenson-Dorp of hamborough Mariner aged 53. yeares[95]
Jurian Martinson of fflintzbourgh in Holsteinland Mariner, aged 34 yeares[96]
William Pembridge of the Parrish of Saint Magnus London Habberdasher aged 42 yeares[97]
William Pembridge of the parish of Saint Magnus London haberdasher, aged 48 yeares[98]
Stephen Puckle of Eastsmithfeild neere London Merchant aged fifty nine yeares[99]
Stephen Puckle of Eastsmithfeild neere London Merchant aged fifty nine yeares[100]
Stephen Puckle of East Smithfeild neere London Merchant aged fifty nyne yeares[101]
Hance Ramke of Hamborough Mariner aged 40 yeares[102]
Hans Ramkey of hamborough Mariner aged 40 yeares[103]
Peter Rokes of Lubeck in Germania Mariner Steeresman of the shipp the Goulden Grape of dantsick aged 43. yeares[104]
Henry Slegar of hamborough Saylor aged 23. yeares[105]
Henry Slucker of hamborough Mariner aged 23 yeares[106]
ffrancis Thoris of London Merchant aged forty eight
Giles Vandeputt of the parish of Saint Martins Orgers in the City of London Merchant aged 32 yeares[107]
Henrick Vett of hamborough Mariner aged 36. yeares[108]

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Primary source material other than depositions


HCA 15/6 Box 2


Item: Petition of Christian Cloppenburgh: Date: April 3rd 1655[109]

Item: Petition of John Martindorp: Date: April 3rd 1655[110]


Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Interregnum


"1652: 26. The Committee for Foreign Affairs to sit on Monday. The Admiralty Judges and Dr. Walker to attend, and report what has been done in that court about the ships Samson, Salvador, and George. 27. Orders for regulating Council's proceedings to be considered on Monday. 28-30. Serjeant Dendy, Mr. Scutt..."[111]

"Jun 1653: ...Admiralty Court, and deliver in on oath after the usual manner the papers now sealed up, which were taken out of the Samson, Salvadore, and George. 10, 11. Mr. Perrott and Mr. Throckmorton, prisoners with the Serjeant-at-arms for being engaged in a challenge, to be dismissed on bonds in 1,000 l . and two..."[112]

"Dec. 1654: Warrants of the Council of State, Generals of the Fleet, &c ...Bristol, to transport 40 draugh t nags to Barbadoes, for the use of the sugar mills, on the same terms as others. 120 — — " 21 " Pass For Eliz. Meutis to Flanders 127 — — " " " Comrs. for Sale of Dutch Prizes. To seize and secure some gold and silver embezzled from the Samson, Salvador, and George in the..."[113]

"1654: the Admiralty Committee to request the Protector and Council for an order to dispose of the Samson, Salvadore, and George, which had the great quantity of silver on board, to the best advantage of the State, the Prize Goods' Commissioners reporting that they are much injured by having lain 2 years in..."[114]

"Sep 1653: the Samson, Salvadore, and George, and to take down in writing all the preparations of evidence and proofs thereupon, and draw a full plea by his advice for the protection for the State's interest, and to give in the names of all the material witnesses they know of, that the points may be proved by..."
[115]

"Nov 1653: consideration of a paper from the Spanish ambassador presented this day to the council, concerning certain bags of wooll, taken out of the Samson, Salvador, and George, and to examine the matter of fact, and for their better information to send for doctor Walker, and such other persons, papers, and witnesses as..."
[116]


NEED TO COMPLETE LINKING OF TEXT BELOW

Volume 32 - January 1653

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Interregnum, 1652-3

send an account to Mr. Thurloe tomorrow of their proceedings against the Samson, Salvador, and George, and the whole state of that business. 3. The petition of Col. Ryley to be considered on Wednesday, and he to be here. 4. Mr. Thurloe to draw up a paper to be offered to Council, to be sent to foreign

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=53415

Volume 34 - March 1653

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Interregnum, 1652-3

referred to the Committee for Foreign Affairs. 15. Mr. Thurloe to declare to Dr. Walker that he may give such answers as he thinks fit to the paper published by the advocate of Flanders, upon the proceedings in the Admiralty Court upon the Samson, Salvadore, and George, and publish the same if he see

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=53417


Volume 33 - February 1653

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Interregnum, 1652-3

February 1653 Feb. 1. 4. Order in the Council for Trade and Foreign Affairs, that the account brought in by the Admiralty Judges of their proceedings in the Admiralty Court, on the Samson, Salvador, and George, be presented to Council. [ I . 132, p . 61.] Feb. 1. 1, 2. Petition of Thomas Jennings

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=53416


Volume 76 - September 1654

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Interregnum, 1654

into one treasury. [ Excise Coll. pp . 149–154, Vol . 98, June 1655.] [Sept. 2.] 12. Dr. Walter Walker to Sec. Thurloe. It appears by yours that the Hamburg agent urges a judgment on the Samson, Salvador, and George. I waited on you yesterday at Whitehall about it, but could not see you. The matter of

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=53456


State Papers, 1654 - March (5 of 5)

A collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe, volume 2

ships the Samson, Salvadore, and St. George, in the port of Cadiz, being his own port, several bags of wools, to be transported to another port of his own in Flanders, for his own account, there to be delivered to his assistants, for his own account, towards the payment of his armies. That these ships

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=55311


Volume 36 - May 1653

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Interregnum, 1652-3

of Otho George and others interested in the three silver ships, Salvador, Samson, and George. That they made the purser alter his book, taking out the names of all Hollanders and Zealanders, and inserting others. That they threw letters overboard tied to an iron bar, on coming into the Downs. That

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=53419


Volume 130 - October 1656

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Interregnum, 1656-7

the next post after I have received the value. I am surprised your friends do not put another address on your letters. [1 page, French .] Oct. 20. 63. Shorthand notes of proceedings in the Committee upon the case of the [silver] ships Samson, Salvador, and George. [3¼ pages, undecyphered .] Oct. 21.

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=54487

[ADD DATA]


List of individuals


Peter Eleston/Eleson, innkeeper of the Goulden Posthorne on the sea dike in Amsterdam
John Martindorp (Master: The Saint George)
Tam (Master: The Goulden Sunn)
Hanse Younger (Master: The Mercurius)



Cast of Characters


Please add key characters in the affair of the silver ships, together with short referenced profiles of the characters.


Christian Cloppenburgh


Master of the ship the Salvadore of Hamburg. Aged forty-four in June 1655.[117]


Antonio Estevan de Balderas


Spanish merchant, resident in Lima in the Spanish West Indies.[118]


Otto George


Master of the ship the Sampson of Lubeck (December 1646-November 1654). According to the Hamburg mariner Joachim Beene, Otto George was earlier the commander of the ship the Saint Lucar de Barrameda, and sailed her in 1646 from Cadiz to Hamburg, where in December 1646 Otto George left the ship and went on to Lubeck "expressely (as hee the said Otto then declared to this examinate) to buy the said ship the Sampson.[119] Joachim Beene suggests that Otto George was "first made skipper of her about December 1646, or in the beginning of the ensueing yeare 1647, in which yeare this deponent saw her in Spaine under the conduct of the said Otto George." Beene states that the very first voyage of the Sampson was made from Lubeck to Spain in 1647.[120]

Born in Hamburg, Otto George died in 1654 a married man, keeping his wife in Lubeck from at least 1647.[121] Despite his birth in Hamburg, Otto George was "a citizen and inhabitant of Lubeck".[122]

According to the steeresman of the Danzig ship the Goulden Grape, Otto George left the city of London in roughly November 1653 "sick and weake" and returned to Lubeck where he "shortly after did depart this life", and was buried in Lubeck.[123] The Hamburg mariner Joachim Beene adds the detail that Otto George "being sick and diseased" imbarqued himself on the ship the Neptune of Hamburg (Master: Martin Holst) bound for Hamburg "with an intention to goe to Lubeck."[124]

Jaspar Lorenzo


Spanish merchant claiming to have lost three cerons of cutchineele in the ship the Salvadore.[125]


John Martindorp


Master of the ship the Saint George of Hamburg


Ferdinando Nunez


Spanish merchant.[126]


Ships


Please create profile of ships named in the case of the three silver ships.


Golden Sunn


[ADD DATA]

Mercurius


[ADD DATA]


Saint George


The Saint George of Hamburg (Master: John Martindorp)


Salvadore


The Salvadore of Hamburg (Master: Christian Cloppenburg). Built in 1647 in Hamburg.

The forty year old Hamburg mariner Hance Ramke claims to have been an eye witness to the building of the ship the Salvador at Hamburg. Ramke names the exact place of building as "a place called the Tarr-host where this deponent sawe her as shee was building upon the stocks, and sawe her finished and sawe her launched, and ever since her said building shee hath belonged to the port of Hamborough."[127]

The thirty-five year old Hambrug mariner Joachim Beane similarly claims to have witnessed the building of the Salvador, and named her master shipwright as one John Henderson. Beane stated that "the said Henderson as hee taketh is a Hollander borne, but this deponent hath knowne him to be living in Hamborough thise foureteene or fifteene yeares where hee is a burgher, and an inhabitant and hath bin there maried about tenn yeares or upwards, and there hath kept his wife and family for the said space."[128] Bene also beleived that many of the servants and workmen employed by Henderson were Hollanders.[129]


Sampson


The Sampson of Lubeck (Master: Otto George)

Built by the shipwright Jurian Steeckman, a burger and inhabitant of Lubeck, in 1646.[130]


List of ships crews and passengers


Saint George

John Martindorp (aka. Martenson-Dorp) - master of the Saint George
John Lowers - member of the crew of the Saint George. A twenty-six year old mariner of Masterland in Norway.
Juan de lossa Barron - passenger on the Saint George. Spanish merchant.
Henrick Vett - formerly a member of the crew of the Saint George. A thirty-six year old mariner of Hamburg. Brother-in-law of John Martindorp, the ship's captain. Witnessed the ships's building at Hamburg in 1642. Appears to have kept the books for the ship for the last 19 months prior to his deposition in the English Admiralty Court in November 1654.[131]

Salvadore

Christian Cloppenburgh - master of the Salvadore
Carsten Franck - ships carpenter on the Salvadore
Hance Ramke - formerly a member of the company of the Salvadore. A forty year old mariner of Hamburg.
Henry Slegar - member of the company of the Salvadore at the time of her seizure. A twenty-three year old sailor of Hamburg.

Sampson

Otto George - master of the Sampson
Antonio da Ponte - passenger on the Sampson accompanying goods from Cadiz. A twenty-eight year old merchant of Teneriffa in the Canary Islands.


All legal cases relating to the three Silver Ships


The Lord Protector against the shipp the Saint George (whereof John Martendorpe is Master) and against daniel [?Sloter] and others coming in for their interest

The Lord Protector against the Salvador whereof Christian Cloppenburgh is master and against Brandes and others[132]

The Lord Protector against the shipp the Sampson (whereof Otto George was Master) and against Vincent van Campen and others comeing in for their interest[133]

The Clayme of Blases da La Pyna of Sevill for his goods in the shipp the Salvador whereof Christian Cloppenbergh is Captaine taken by a shipp of the Parliaments fleet under the Command of Capt PomXXX[134]

The clayme of Christopher Boone et cetera[135]

Petition of Juan de lossa Barrona[136]
  1. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.736r
  2. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.739r
  3. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.144r
  4. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.743r
  5. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.142v
  6. ↑ [[HCA 13/70 f.710v Annotate|HCA 13/70 f.710v
  7. ↑ Wikipedia, First Anglo-Dutch War
  8. ↑ "A true narrative of the proceedings in the Court of Admiraltie against the ships Sampson, Salvador, and George, their silver and lading and an accompt presented what silver was taken out of the said ships and coined in the Tower (being above two hundred seventy eight thousand pounds,) all which silver the Common-wealth got by the chargeable prosecution and discovery of Tho. Violet, who saved the Common-wealth this silver, Dec. 16. 1652"
  9. ↑ For example, The Clayme of Blases da La Pyna of Sevill for his goods in the shipp the Salvador whereof Christian Cloppenbergh is Captaine taken by a shipp of the Parliaments fleet under the Command of Capt PomXXX; and The clayme of Christopher Boone et cetera.
  10. ↑ Item: Petition of Christian Cloppenburgh: Date: April 3rd 1655; Item: Petition of John Martindorp: Date: April 3rd 1655
  11. ↑ CSPD, vol. XXVI., Dec. 3rd 1652, p.7
  12. ↑ CSPD, vol. XXVI., Dec. 6th 1652, p.11
  13. ↑ CSPD, vol. XXVI., Dec. 7th 1652, p.15
  14. ↑ CSPD, vol. XXVI., Dec. 9th 1652, p.19
  15. ↑ CSPD, vol. XXVI., Dec. 10th 1652, p.20
  16. ↑ CSPD, vol. XXVI., Dec. 13th 1652, p.23
  17. ↑ CSPD, vol. XXVI., Dec. 15th 1652, p.27
  18. ↑ CSPD, vol. XXVI., Dec. 20th 1652, p.45
  19. ↑ CSPD, vol. XXVI., Dec. ? 1652, Item 76, p.66
  20. ↑ CSPD, vol. XXVII., Jan. 3rd 1653, p.75
  21. ↑ CSPD, vol. XXVII., Jan. 7th 1653, p.87
  22. ↑ CSPD, March 31 1653, p.295
  23. ↑ CSPD, April 1st 1653, p.299
  24. ↑ CSPD, April 7th 1653, p.316
  25. ↑ Henry William Henfrey, Numismata Cromwelliana: or, The medallic history of Oliver Cromwell, illustrated by his coins, medals, and seals (London, 1877), pp.31-33
  26. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.148v Annotate
  27. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.733r; HCA 13/70 f.714v; PROB 11/267/429 Will of Roger Kilvert, Merchant of London 17 September 1657; PROB 11/296/118 Will of Anthony Fernandez Carnajall, Merchant of London 03 December 1659
  28. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.733r
  29. ↑ Deposition of Charles Chillingworth in case of 'Michaell de Haze ffoppe Wessell and other owners of the Sea ffortune against Antonio ffernandez Caravaihall and Roger Kilvert, Nov. 25th 1656', HCA 13/71 f.423v
  30. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.713r
  31. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.712v; HCA 13/70 f.713r
  32. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.713r
  33. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.711r
  34. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.711v; HCA 13/70 f.709r
  35. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.711v; HCA 13/70 f.711v
  36. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.711v
  37. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.711r
  38. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.710v
  39. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.710v
  40. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.710v
  41. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.717v
  42. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.718r
  43. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.718r
  44. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.718r; HCA 13/70 f.718v
  45. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.734v
  46. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.735r
  47. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.752v
  48. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.735v
  49. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.735v
  50. ↑ Add reference
  51. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.752r
  52. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.135r
  53. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.387v
  54. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.735v
  55. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.139r
  56. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.140r
  57. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.138v
  58. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.141v
  59. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.144r
  60. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.141v
  61. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.144r
  62. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.148v Annotate
  63. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.718r; HCA 13/70 f.718v
  64. ↑ [XXX, p.9]
  65. ↑ [XXX, p.10]
  66. ↑ https://archive.org/stream/cu31924029825373#page/n49/mode/2up Henry William Henfrey, Numismata Cromwelliana: or, The medallic history of Oliver Cromwell, illustrated by his coins, medals, and seals (London, 1877), p. 32]
  67. ↑ [XXX, p.8-9]
  68. ↑ https://archive.org/stream/cu31924029825373#page/n49/mode/2up Henry William Henfrey, Numismata Cromwelliana: or, The medallic history of Oliver Cromwell, illustrated by his coins, medals, and seals (London, 1877), p. 32]
  69. ↑ [XXX, p.11]
  70. ↑ [XXX, p.11]
  71. ↑ HCA 15/6 Box 2 no fol.
  72. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.712v
  73. ↑ HCA 15/6 Box 2 no fol.
  74. ↑ HCA 15/6 Box 2 no fol.
  75. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.712v
  76. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.731v
  77. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.134r
  78. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.137r
  79. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.753r
  80. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.714v
  81. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.733v
  82. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.142v
  83. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.387v
  84. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.725v
  85. ↑ HCA 13/68 f.175r
  86. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.140v
  87. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.755r
  88. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.709r
  89. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.720r
  90. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.724r
  91. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.713v
  92. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.733r
  93. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.139v
  94. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.754v
  95. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.145v
  96. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.728r
  97. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.713r
  98. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.732r
  99. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.717v
  100. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.746v
  101. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.749r
  102. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.734v
  103. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.754r
  104. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.136r
  105. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.141v
  106. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.756r
  107. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.148v
  108. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.751v
  109. ↑ HCA 15/6 Box 2 no fol.
  110. ↑ HCA 15/6 Box 2 no fol.
  111. ↑ CSPD:Interregnum: Volume 26 - December and Undated, 1652. 1652
  112. ↑ CSPD:Interregnum: Volume 37 - June 1653
  113. ↑ CSPD:Interregnum: Volume 77 - December 1654
  114. ↑ CSPD:Interregnum: Volume 77 - December 1654
  115. ↑ CSPD:Interregnum: Volume 40 - September 1653
  116. ↑ A collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe, volume 1: State Papers, 1653 - November (2 of 5)
  117. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.387v
  118. ↑ HCA 13/68 f.175r
  119. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.137v
  120. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.138r
  121. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.135v
  122. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.136r
  123. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.136r
  124. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.138r
  125. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.387v
  126. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.387v
  127. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.734v
  128. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.736r
  129. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.736r
  130. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.135r
  131. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.752v
  132. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.734v
  133. ↑ HCA 13/70 f.134r
  134. ↑ HCA 13/68 f.175r
  135. ↑ HCA 13/71 f.382r
  136. ↑ HCA 15/6 Box Two: Item: Petition of Juan de lossa Barrona a Spaniard borne in Segovia: Date: XXXX

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