Attack on the Portuguese fort at Annobon

The expedition of the Magellan Company of Rotterdam, that had set sail in June 1598, reached Annobon off the west African coast. They had set course for the island to obtain fresh supplies there. In the previous months, the crew had suffered fevers and scurvy, from which they recovered during a stay at the coast of present-day Gabon at Cape Lopez in November. By early December, the ships continued and on the 16th of December found Annobon, which was occupied by the Portuguese. The Dutch attacked and occupied the Portuguese fort, which the Portuguese and locals had abandoned, taking all their belongings and setting its houses on fire. In the following days, a number of skirmishes and attacks took place and the Dutch successfully attacked the Portuguese on a strong position they held in the heights near the fort. The Dutch stayed for three weeks at Annobon, but while they successfully healed the sick who suffered scurvy, many more became ill with fevers and according to the account of Barent Jansz. 30 more men died. The expedition therefore set off again in early January to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

This image shows the Dutch attack on Annobon. On the foreground are the five Dutch ships Liefde, Geloof, Hoop, Trouw and Blijde Boodschap. We see the their boats, rowing soldiers ashore. On the shore, Dutch boats have landed on the beach and soldiers assault the Portuguese fort. The Portuguese have set their houses on fire and flee into the hills. A garden of trees is on the right inside a fence.