Old Legend

Some time ago, I encountered a rather heart rending story entitled The Flying Dutchman. I may not remember all details of the story correctly but will summarize it here. The protagonist of the tale, a Dutch boy named Diedrich, was at first destitute in Amsterdam. Desperate to escape poverty, he boarded a vessel bound for the Dutch East Indies, and became an indentured servant on Java. Hardworking and industrious, Diedrich soon earned enough money to buy his freedom. He then went into business and became "very rich indeed." Eventually he sold all his property on Java, and boarded a vessel named The Flying Dutchman, which was to take him back to Holland. One day, after the vessel reached the Cape of Good Hope, Diedrich began to converse with another passenger. He explained why he left Java, and was returning home with his fortune. Diedrich had a great plan. He was going to use his riches to build a magnificent home for the poor children of Amsterdam. At last, they would have decent lives. Unfortunately, the ship's crew was dangerous. ("There was not a single Dutchman among them.") The helmsman overheard Diedrich talking about his money, and told the others. They hatched a plot, threw Diedrich and the other passenger overboard and seized the money for themselves. Soon afterwards, however, misfortunes quickly struck the ship. A plague broke out on board, so the port authorities wouldn't let them dock or come ashore anywhere. And a storm blew them far off course. According to the legend, to this day, when ships are rounding the Cape of Good Hope, they sometimes catch sight of a decrepit vessel, "sailing, sailing, never reaching land." The spars and rigging are in abysmal condition, and pale figures can be seen on deck. And the seamen whisper "Look there is The Flying Dutchman."

Historical Context and Interpretation

It is virtually certain this story dates from the 17th century and no other, as it reflects 17th century conditions. Basically, it is a lamentation about lawlessness on the high seas, which was at its worst in the 1600s, the golden age of piracy. Even more pathetic than the poor kiddies of Amsterdam was the inability of the Dutch or anyone else at the time to properly police the sea lanes. In this heyday of pirates and mutinous crews, villians often got away with their plunder. The authorities in the religious 16th century were reduced to invoking the "guy upstairs" to deter would-be robbers. Without adequate enforcement of the law, 17th century victims could only fantasize about divine retribution, inflicted by an omniscient God. Hence the old legend.

Things were much different in the 18th century. This was the age of Reason, the Enlightenment, when "the guy upstairs" no longer had as much deterrent value. Moreover he was no longer needed. The worst of the 17th century pirates--Blackbeard, Captain Morgan etc--were eliminated by 1700 or earlier. The Jolly Roger had been pretty much blown off the high seas by the 18th century. The long arm of the law was now felt nearly everywhere. Transgressors of the law had virtually nowhere to hide. Late in the 18th century, the Bounty mutineers had to go to Pitcairn island; even Tahiti no longer provided safe refuge.