Aagtekerke

Aagtekerke (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈaːxtəˌkɛrkə]) (51°33′N 3°31′E / 51.550°N 3.517°E / 51.550; 3.517) is a town in the Dutch province of Zeeland. It is a part of the municipality of Veere, and lies about 9 km (6 mi) northwest of Middelburg. In 2001, the town of Aagtekerke had 936 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 0.22 km² (0 sq mi), and contained 296 residences. The statistical area "Aagtekerke", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 1480.

Until July 1, 1966, Aagtekerke was a separate municipality. On that date, it merged into the municipality of Mariekerke. Aagtekerke is a conservative Protestant village, located on the Dutch Bible Belt. In the 2010 municipal elections, 62 percent of the local population voted for the Reformed Political Party (SGP). The three Christian parties in the elections (the Reformed Political Party, the ChristianUnion and the Christian Democratic Appeal) had a combined total of almost 70 percent of the votes.

Aagtekerke (ship)

The Aagtekerke (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈaːxtəˌkɛrkə]) was a ship of the Dutch East India Company built in 1724. It was lost without trace during its maiden voyage in 1725–26, when it sailed from Cape of Good Hope in the Dutch Cape Colony to Batavia in the Dutch East Indies.

Description

The Aagtekerke was built in 1724 by the Chamber of Zeeland of the Dutch East India Company, on their wharf in Middelburg. It was named after the nearby village of Aagtekerke. The ship was 145 feet (44 m) long and had a load capacity of 850 tons. It had crew of 200 men and 36 guns.

Maiden voyage

On 27 May 1725, the ship sailed out from Fort Rammekens (near Ritthem) under the command of Jan Witboon. The ship first sailed to Cape of Good Hope in the Dutch Cape Colony, where it arrived on 3 January 1726, possibly to load ivory.

On 27 January 1726, the ship left for Batavia in the Dutch East Indies, but was lost without trace. At the time, the ship was carrying silver coins and noble metals with a total value of 200,000 guilders (about 91,000 euros).