A Dutch adventure in Korea

Foreword

One of the ships which is most well known and belonged to the 17th century maritime power of the United East Indian Company ( Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie for short: the V.O.C.), has been the Jaght the Sperwer (Sparrow hawk). Since the word Yacht has been derived from the word Jaght, but has gotten a different meaning, we will continue to use the word Jaght). Vessels of the V.O.C. often turned out not to be able to withstand the storms which appeared in the dangerous seas of East Asia. It became hardly known outside the circle of those concerned, that this jacht didn't reach its port of destination after its journey from Taiwan to Japan in 1653. It were the unbelievable adventures of some of the salvaged crew members, who stayed for 13 years in unknown areas, which made a big impression on their contemporaries. The stories of their experiences may still attract our attention, since they gave the first detailed and reliable information concerning a country which then and even long thereafter, was inaccessible for foreigners and which kept itself far from the commercial relations with Westerners. What became known to Europe of the mysterious realm Korea, is owed to a castaway of the jacht "de Sperwer"

A Dutch adventure in Korea

Foreword

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