STEWART, THOMAS [SSNE 7844]
Text source
One ‘Master Stewart’ entered VOC service first as a gunner, before being promoted to master’s mate and eventually serving as a ship’s master in the VOC. Stewart sought to leave VOC service at the outset of the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665-67) stressing that he would not serve against Charles II, “though it were but for name’s sake”. His Christian name was not stated here, but a Thomas Stewart from Aberdeen had made several voyages to the East Indies aboard the Rotterdam. He had served as gunner, master’s mate and master with the VOC in five voyages to the East Indies from Europe and was very experienced in intra-Asiatic voyages: he had sailed to Japan eleven times. Downing gave him a pass and recommended him to Sir William Coventry for a position in the Royal Navy.
Source: The National Archives, SP 84/174, fol. 78. 3/13 February 1665)
Service record
- THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, VOC EAST INDIES, JAPAN
- Departed 1665-01-01
- Capacity GUNNER, SHIPS mASTER, purpose SHIPS MASTER, TRADE COMMERCE, NAVAL