Half Moon-replica of the Halve Maen 1609 Henry Hudson Ship

A leisurely Long Island Sound fishing trip takes a back seat as our focus shifts to an impressive three-masted ship.  Knowing nothing about this striking pirate-looking vessel, I had to learn more!

The beautiful eighty-five foot ship, called Half Moon, is a full-scale operating replica of the Dutch ship that English explorer Henry Hudson sailed in 1609, only Half Moon is equipped with the modern essentials used to navigate, as well as electricity and water.

The original ship, “Halve Maen” was utilized as a trade and exploration vessel commissioned by United East India Company (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie or VOC).  The VOC was established as a unification to disrupt the monopoly of the Portuguese, who dominated the spice trade and to resolve the fierce competition among merchants that even resulted in the Dutch turning on each other.  The assignment was to look for a Northeast Passage from Europe to Asia.  The shorter passage would increase profits by minimizing death from diseases as well as avoid many of the battles involving the Spanish and Portuguese. 

Henry Hudson, then a famous English explorer of Arctic waters, was equipped by the VOC with a variation of the vlieboat called a ”jaght”, a Dutch hunter/chaser style vessel fit enough for pursuing pirates! The ship, named Halve Maen was agile, swift, able to navigate shallow waters and most capable of acts of piracy to thwart aggressors in the northeast voyage of uncharted waters.  The impressive jaght design also became a preferred choice of Dutch citizens desiring a private pleasure vessel, giving us the modern word “yacht.”  The name “Halve Maen” was inspired by the half-moon medallion worn by Dutch privateers called “sea beggars” that were known for having merciless conduct and a ruthless choice of targets.

The Halve Maen was unable to navigate the icy Arctic waters.  Hudson abandoned the VOC assigned contract and led the Dutch and English crew to the New World in an endeavor to look for a “legendary waterway” rumored to carry a ship all the way from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Hudson reached America and sailed north and south exploring our northeastern coastline, including the Delaware Bay and finally arriving at the mouth of a majestic river off the Atlantic coast.  One-hundred fifty miles in and passing by the island we know today as Manhattan, he sailed to the rich land that became Albany, New York until he could go no further.  He realized this was not a passage to the Pacific but Halve Maen was the first European ship to document access to what is now known as the Delaware River and Bay, and to explore the Hudson River to its navigational limits. 

The Hudson River, named after Henry Hudson, later led to Dutch colonization of the area, resulting in Dutch trade within the Hudson River Valley.  The area became a primary trading post called Fort Nassau used for exchanging European goods for beaver pelts.  The trading colony, New Netherland grew from the Hudson River Valley to the Connecticut River, and on to the Delaware River. 

The Half Moon Replica, today a traveling museum named "New Netherland Museum" is used to educate students about the unique history of the Dutch colony as well as teach them how to sail the ship. Once aboard the ship, visitors get the full experience of life aboard the ship 400 years ago. Exploring the three rivers, crew members are frequently seen wearing clothing typical of sailors from this historic time.  17th century flags, wooden sailor’s trunks, navigational instruments, colors and designs that marked the Dutch East India Company ships are seen on the Half Moon today. 

New Netherland Museum is a fascinating non-profit traveling museum dedicated to public education about the life of New Netherland during the 17th century and is financially supported by memberships, donations, and hosts who invite the Half Moon to appearances throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

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