Map of the Banda islands

The Gelderland, Wachter and Duyfken of the Moluccan fleet of the Fifth Expedition arrived at Ternate on 17 February 1602. The Dutch were welcomed and found their countrymen that had been left behind during the Second Expedition in good conditions. Unfortunately for the expedition under Wolfert Harmensz., the harvests on Ternate had been meagre and there was little trade to be had. On 7 March the ships again departed from Ternate to sail to the Banda archipelago. They stayed there from 14 March to 24 June Here trade was much more favourable. The Dutch made several deals and treaties with local rulers while filling up their ships with the coveted nutmeg. - This depiction of the Banda islands was drawn in the journal of the Gelderland. The drawing shows the islands of Banda Api, Banda Neira and Banda Besar. Its authorship is uncertain.

The letters depict the following: ‘A’ is the roadstead where the Dutch ships anchored. ‘B’ is the city of Lonthor. ‘C’ is the city Orantata. ‘D’ is a city named Combir. ‘E’ is a city named Cilamo, likely located in the area Selamon. ‘F’ is the island Banda Besar. ‘G’ is an island named Pulo Peta, which is highly likely the island Banda Neira. ‘H’ is the island Banda Api, here named “Goanappi” after its volcano (Indonesian for volcano: Gunung Api). “I” is the island Pulau Ai. ‘K’ is the island Pulau Run. “L” is an island named Sutan by the author. “M” is a city named Nero, likely an interpretation of “Neira”. “N” is a city named Labettac, likely Labeteka. “O” is a village here named ‘Leiac’ by the author. ‘P’ is a village here named ‘Latter’ by the author. ‘Q’ is a village named Oubeer by the author. ‘R’ is an island named ‘Mertat’ by the author. ‘S’ is an island named ‘Menath’ by the author.