1577 – ✝1629
Piet Hein
'Piet Hein, his name is small, his deeds are great, his deeds are great, he has won the Silver Fleet ...' The triumphant lyrics of the famous song about Piet Hein. In 1628, he hijacked a very valuable sea transport from the Spanish ruler, making him one of Holland's most famous naval heroes.
Twelve million
Piet Pieterszoon Heyn was a born seafarer. On behalf of the West India Company (WIC), he won several victories, including against the Spanish. His most famous act was the hijacking of the silver fleet in the Bay of Matanzas near Cuba. After a relatively easy victory, Piet Hein and his crew captured a cargo worth around 12 million guilders in September 1628. It is estimated that today this would range from a hundred million to a hundred billion Euros. In any case, it could finance the war against Spain for an entire year.
No recognition
Piet Hein himself was not very impressed. While people in Leiden chanted his name, he complained to the mayor that "the people are now furious, because I bring home such a great treasure, for which I have done little", while he never received recognition after "much greater deeds".
Death
Piet Hein's heroics came to an abrupt end on 17 June 1629, during a battle with two enemy privateer ships. He was hit by a heavy bullet and died instantly. Thus, Piet Hein died in harness. He was buried in the Oude Kerk, where a fine marble mausoleum was later placed.
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'Piet Hein, his name is small, his deeds are great, his deeds are great, he has won the Silver Fleet ...' The triumphant lyrics of the famous song about Piet Hein. In 1628, he hijacked a very valuable sea transport from the Spanish ruler, making him one of Holland's most famous naval heroes.
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