Plan for new construction work on the island Borselen in the river Demerary (Plan X)

Titel Leupe: Het Eiland Borselen in de rivier Demerary

Draft for new constructions on the island Borselen.

Previously, the main WIC post was located there. When this post was moved to the east bank of the Demerara, Sir Van Schuylenburgh’s took office and held control over the island. Under his rule, a number of project proposals for more efficient spatial arrangements and defence works were put forward. This maps shows one of these proposals.

Johan Christoph Heneman drafted this map during his posting in Demerara and Essequibo in 1774-1775. It constitutes a relatively modest plan for the rearrangement of the Company settlement on the island in conjunction with his plans for a new town on the opposite eastern bank of the river (see VEL1524).

This map has no explanatory text, but on the main plan of the town it can be seen that the northern part of the island had been designated for ‘Fortification Works’.

In combination with the intended transferral of all central administration to the mainland it is safe to assume that the projected buildings were meant for military purposes, with the structure in the centre of the complex most likely being the commander’s residence.

See also: VEL1523A1 and VEL1523B.

Scale-bar of 50 Roede Rhynl: = [approximately 1 : 1,650].