Jeronimus Cornelisz

Dutch apothecary and mutineer

Jeronimus Cornelisz

Jeronimus Cornelisz (1598 – 2 October 1629) was a Dutch apothecary and merchant who became infamous for his role as the leader of a mutiny following the wreck of the Batavia in 1629. His actions led to one of the bloodiest mutinies in maritime history.

Early Life

Jeronimus Cornelisz was born in 1598 in the Netherlands. Little is known about his early life, but he trained as an apothecary, a profession that involved preparing and selling medicines. Cornelisz was reportedly a follower of the Anabaptist sect, which was considered radical at the time.

Voyage on the Batavia

In 1628, Cornelisz joined the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and set sail on the Batavia, a ship bound for the Dutch East Indies. The ship was under the command of Francisco Pelsaert, with Ariaen Jacobsz as the skipper. Cornelisz was appointed as the ship's under-merchant, a position of significant responsibility.

Shipwreck and Mutiny

The wreck of the Batavia

On 4 June 1629, the Batavia struck a reef near the Houtman Abrolhos off the coast of Western Australia. The shipwreck left the survivors stranded on a series of small islands. With Pelsaert and Jacobsz leaving to seek help, Cornelisz took control of the remaining survivors.

Cornelisz, who had already been plotting a mutiny, seized the opportunity to implement his plan. He and his followers took control of the limited resources and began a reign of terror. Over the next few months, Cornelisz orchestrated the murder of approximately 125 men, women, and children.

Downfall and Execution

Cornelisz's rule came to an end when a group of survivors, led by Wiebbe Hayes, resisted his authority. Hayes and his men managed to hold out on a nearby island until Pelsaert returned with a rescue party. Cornelisz and his followers were captured and tried for their crimes.

On 2 October 1629, Jeronimus Cornelisz was executed by hanging on Seal Island. His execution marked the end of one of the most notorious mutinies in history.

Legacy

The story of Jeronimus Cornelisz and the Batavia mutiny has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and studies. It remains a chilling example of how desperation and ambition can lead to extreme acts of violence and betrayal.

Related Pages

• Batavia (ship)
• Dutch East India Company
• Houtman Abrolhos
• Francisco Pelsaert
• Wiebbe Hayes