The Groot Desseyn (Dutch for “Grand Design”) was a plan devised in 1623 by the Dutch West India Company to seize the Portuguese/Spanish possessions of the Iberian Union in Africa and the Americas, in order that the Spanish would not collect enough money for their war against The Netherlands.

Meeting ‘Heeren XIX” board of the West Indian Company

On June 3, 1621, the States General granted a patent to the newly established West India Company for a period of twenty-four years. From the beginning, the Company had the character of an instrument of war; one only has to read the articles of the patent to be able to establish this. When the highest executive council of the Company, the Heren XIX, met for the first time in general meeting on 3 August 1623, one of the main points of discussion was: where could one, without running too great a risk, place the Spanish -Can best attack Portuguese power, with a chance to make some profit yourself? Several plans came to the table. There was much acclaim for the proposal to attack the strong fortress of São Jorge da Mina, from which the entire Gold Coast could be controlled; at the same time, the conquest of this stronghold would remove the constant threat to the Dutch fort Nassau.

The representatives of the Chamber of Amsterdam came up with a different proposal. The fortress of Elmina was particularly difficult to take due to its heavy defenses; why not choose as the first target of attack the much weaker Luanda, the main port of slaves on the coast of Angola? Cutting off the source of the Portuguese slave trade would simultaneously hit the enemy’s sugar plantations in Brazil at their weakest point: the supply of fresh labor from West Africa.

After lengthy discussions, an agreement was finally reached and it was decided to choose Luanda as the first attack target; a fleet of nine ships and three yachts would be equipped; in accordance with art. V of the patent, the States General would take care of the recruitment of the ‘volck van ware’, nine companies of soldiers. As the preparations would take some time, it was decided to send a small force of one ship and two yachts ahead, under the command of Philips van Zuylen; this had to try to establish trade relations with the native population near the small Portuguese fort at Cacheu1 and with the negro tribes on the coast of Angola; he also had to try to capture or destroy as many enemy ships as possible. Then he had to act against Luanda together with the great fleet that would be sent after him. On September 22, 1623, Van Zuylen was at sea with his ships.

When the Lords XIX met again in October 1623, a new plan was put on the table, the main aim of which was to conquer the city of Salvador on the Bay of All Saints, on the coast of Brazil. After all, more booty could be obtained there than in Angola and after a possible capture of the city, part of the ships could still be sent to Luanda to try to conquer that place as well. Despite initial opposition from numerous members of the college, the plan was approved by a majority vote on October 30, 1623. Preparations for sending out the fleet, which in addition to the nine ships and three yachts according to the old plan would have included fourteen more ships, were vigorously pursued.

The appointment of a commander-in-chief for the expedition presented quite a few difficulties. Hendrick Loncq refused to accept the command offered to him. Jacob Willekens van Amsterdam, after some negotiation, was prepared to assume supreme command of the fleet; on 26 October 16232 the States General approved this appointment.

On 2 November, Messrs XIX requested Pieter Pietersz. Heyn, who had been alderman of Rotterdam since May 1, 1622, to accept the position of vice admiral in Willekens’ fleet.

We do not know why Piet Heyn was approached for this and for what reason he accepted; perhaps, besides Willekens from Amsterdam, another important place was wanted to be occupied by a Rotterdammer and Piet Heyn himself saw opportunities to improve his position in the service of the West India Company? In any case, he took the oath on November 7, 1623 in the hands of the then president of the States General, Van Soelen: ‘Pieter Pietersz. Heyn, lieutenant-admirael van de Westindische Compagnie over de schepen van oorloge, die gereet gemaakt worden omme metten eersten uit te lopen, heeft gedaan den eet als luytenant-admirael’ or in English: ‘Pieter Pietersz. Heyn, leading the ships of war, who are being outfitted to take to sea at first opportunity, has taken the oat as lieutenant admiral of the West India Company.

Because great haste was made with the expedition, Willekens, whose admiral flag was flying on the ‘Zeelandia’, already sailed on December 23, 1623 with twenty ships and two yachts. On January 15, 1624 Piet Heyn departed on the ‘Neptunus’ with two more ships and a yacht from the Goereesche Gat.

The plan was put into action.