Striped dolphin

The Moluccan fleet of the Fifth Expedition sailed to the Indonesian archipelago and back to the Netherlands over the course of two years: 1601 to 1603. Along the way, the crew would frequently catch fish from the oceans and seas that the ships traversed. Many of these were drawn in the journal of the Gelderland under the command of admiral Wolphert Harmensz, giving us insights into the great diversity of species the expedition encountered.

This drawing of a striped dolphin is one of the most special from the journal. It shows a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), which is can be found worldwide. Joris Joostensz. Laerle, artist on board of the Gelderland_ likely made this drawing of the dolphin in the flagship’s journal.