Map of Sint Michiel Bay

Title Leupe: Plan van de St. Michiels Bay.

As naval Captain Cornelis Schrijver had already argued in 1737-1738 (VEL609A-B), the site chosen for the new stronghold on the headland on the eastern side of Sint Michiel Bay was unfavourable: from there the batteries could not cover the beach located a little to the west, where a possible landing might take place, but formed an easy target from the sea themselves. Together with Esdré, Schrijver addressed these concerns in a report to the States-General dated 22 May 1742.

This map was attached to this report and the limited range is depicted with triangles on the beach to the west (to the left on the map) of the battery. Their report found an audience: in their resolution of 9 October 1743, the States-General decided on an alternative plan, probably from a design by Jacob Ribbius, according to which a star-shaped low battery with a square central tower should be erected on a spot a little more to the west.

North is upper left.

Schale-bar of 90 Rhineland Rods = 190 ‘strepen’.