MBT Fluyt "Anna Maria" (1694) - Construction Drawing Scale 1 : 75 (10.00.026)

General characteristics of a Fluyt:

Construction and design:

The fluyt was designed for cargo transport and had a broad hull and a relatively shallow draught, making it suitable for carrying large cargoes and navigating shallow waters. This made it ideal for trade in the seas of Europe and the overseas colonial territories.

The ships often had three masts, with a large sail area to transport cargo efficiently.

Cargo and use:

In the 17th century, the fluyt was the most important type of ship for the transport fleet of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and the West India Company. This type of ship transported valuable goods such as spices, sugar, textiles, and other merchandise.

In the late 17th century, when the Fluyt "Anna Maria" was built, the Netherlands was a world leader in international trade, and their ships played an essential role in the distribution of European products and the acquisition of exotic goods from overseas markets.

Design:

Fluyt ships often had a flat bottom, which allowed them to sail in shallow waters and dock in ports with little depth.

The hull was broad, which made it possible to carry a lot of cargo, but the ships were relatively slow and less manoeuvrable than other ships of that era.

The "Anna Maria" in the context of the 17th century:

Given its construction date (1694), the Anna Maria likely falls among the ships that often sailed for the VOC or the WIC (West India Company). This period was a peak for Dutch trade with Asia, Africa and America.

Ships of that era were sometimes also deployed for military purposes, for example, to protect trading posts or colonial territories or to combat piracy.

Specifications :