John May Sr or Jan Maij (1694 – 1779) was an English shipwright from Chatham who served from 1758-1779 as Master Shipbuilder of the Amsterdam Admiralty.[1]
John May was hired in 1728 by the Amsterdam Admiralty. In 1727 this Admiralty, the largest of the five Dutch Admiralties, had hired Charles Bentham and Thomas Davis to work for them in improving ship design. [2] John May served as the assistant to Charles Bentam for three decades.[3] May taught the art of shipbuilding, and after the death of Bentam in 1758, he was appointed Master Shipbuilder and would serve in the position for 21 years. In 1761, May was accused of belonging to a camarilla with Count of Gronsveld which managed the Admiralty.[4][5][6]
Family
In 1714 he married Rebecca Pensix (-1743) a spinster from Gillingham;[1] the couple had five children who lived to adulthood: Job, John, William, Rebecca, and George. In 1762, he married Magteld Geertruy Kannegieter of Amsterdam.
His son John May Jr or Johannes Maij (Rochester (1724-1782) married Martha Naudin in March 1753; the couple had five daughters.[7] At that time he lived at Reguliersgracht, but moved to Keizersgracht near Westerkerk. May traded in company with J.A. Crop on Narva, Reval and Riga, a decade later on the Caribbean. In March 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, they shipped weapons and horses from Deptford to North-America.[8] During the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War he was pro-British, and the company liquidated in 1782.[9]
Job May, also a shipwright, owned the shipyard Yhoek on Wittenburg, which John bought in 1767. In 1790 it was sold by (his son-in-law) Isaac ten Cate who took over his business and involved in setting up a training for sailors. In 1793 John's daughter Elisabeth married Paul Busti, a real estate agent, operating the Holland Land Company in Philadelphia.[10]
William May (Maij) (Chatham 1725-1807), a captain and equipment master from 1780, devised various innovations in shipbuilding and cooperated with Robert Seppings.[11] He played a role on 30 May 1787 when the Admiralty was occupied and his house was besieged during the Patriot revolt.[12] He escaped with his family across the Y.[13] In December 1787 he appointed as captain of a civic guard. William was the father of Job Seaborn May, midshipman and Rear Admiral.
Designs
John May, Sr's designs in alphabetical order are:[14]
Admiraal de Ruyter, 3rd charter, on stocks at Amsterdam 22 July 1777, launched 13 November 1778, captured by British. Dimensions 167½ x 46 9/11 x 20½, 60-68 guns, 350-450 men.#Alarm, 7th charter, on stocks 14 August 1773, launched 22 July 1774, captured by British 1799? Dimensions (Amsterdam foot) 125 7/11 x 34 x 13 2/11, 24 guns, 150 men.
Alphen, 6th charter, 1766, exploded in battle 1778. Dimensions (Amsterdam foot) 139 8/11 (lower deck) x 37 8/11 x 15 8/11, 36 guns.
Argo, 5th charter, on stocks 14 December 1771, launched 9 December 1772, sold? 1785-1787
Beverwijk, 6th charter, 1767, sold 1784, dimensions 139 8/11 (lower deck) x 37 8/11 x 15 8/11, height between decks 7'2¾", 36 guns, 230 men.
Bloys van Treslong, 5th charter, 1754, sold 1782, dimensions 141 (lower deck) x 39 7/11 x 17 7/11, 44 guns.
Boreas, 7th charter 1768, last mentioned 1786, dimensions 123 4/11 (prow) x 33 7/11 x 12½, height between decks 6'6", 24 guns.
Erfprins, 4th charter 1770, wrecked 1783, dimensions 154½ x 43 x 20 guns, 52-56, 300 men.
Hof van Souburg, 6th charter 1761, condemned 1788, dimensions 139 8/11 (prow) x 37 8/11 x 15 8/11, 36 guns, 130 men.
Holland, 3rd charter, 1761, sunk 1781, dimensions 167½ (lower deck) x 45 8/11 x 20, 64-68 guns.
Kennemerland, 4th charter, 1761, burnt 1778, dimensions 153 (lower deck) x 43 x 20, 54 guns.
Leiden 3rd charter, on stocks at Amsterdam 17 september 1784, launched 26 july 1786, captured by British 1799, dimensions 167½ (lower deck) x 46 9/11 x 20½, 68 guns.
Mars, 5th charter, 1769, captured by British 1781, dimensions 139 8/11 (lower deck) x 37 8/11 x 15 8/11, 32-36 guns.
Nassau, 3rd charter, 1759, broken up 1784, dimensions 167½ (prow) x 45 8/11 x 20½, 64-68 guns, 450 men.
Nassau Weilburg, 4th charter, 1760, wrecked 1783, dimensions 153 (lower deck) x 43 x 20, 52-54 guns, 300 men.
Prinses Royaal, 2nd charter, 1759, stricken 1780, dimensions 182 3/11 (lower deck) x 49 5/11 x 20, 72-74 guns.
Valk, 7th charter 1770, captured 1799, dimensions 125 7/11 x 34 x 13 2/11, 24 guns, 158-163 men.
Venus, 7th charter 1768, captured by British 1796, dimensions 125 7/11 x 33 7/11 x 13 2/11, 24 guns, 156 men.
Waakzaamheid, 7th charter 1769, captured by French 1794, dimensions 125 7/11 x 34 x 13 2/11, 20-24 guns, 150-175 men.
Weststellingwerf, 7th charter 1755, stricken 1781, dimensions 122 x 14 x 12 8/11, 22-24 guns.
Zephier, 6th charter 1767, wrecked 1783, dimensions 139 8/11 (lower deck) x 37 8/11 x 15 8/11, 36 guns, 230 men.
Zwieten, 5th charter, 1759, last mentioned 1782, dimensions 141 (lower deck) x 39 7/11 x 17 7/11, 44 guns, 250 men.
^Lemmers, Alan (2013). "Shipworm, Hogbacks and Duck's Arses: The influence of William May on Sir Robert Seppings". The Mariner's Mirror, the International Quarterly Journal of the Society for Nautical Research. 99 (4): 411. doi:10.1080/00253359.2013.844537. S2CID 162226133.
^J.C. de Jonge (1833-1848) Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen, p. 230
^Voorloper eener wettelycke verantwoording van Mr. Lucas Willem Kramp
^J. Elias (1903) De Vroedschap van Amsterdam II, p. 578
^P.J. van Winter (1927-1933) Het aandeel van den Amsterdamschen handel aan den opbouw van het Amerikaansche Gemeenebest, p. 265. Uitg. Nijhoff, 's-Gravenhage. In English: American finance and Dutch investment, 1780-1805 : with an epilogue to 1840 ISBN 0-405-09860-X, en ISBN 0-405-09715-8)
^Alan Lemmers (2013) Shipworm, Hogbacks and Duck's Arses: The influence of William May on Sir Robert Seppings, The Mariner's Mirror, 99:4, 410-428, DOI: 10.1080/00253359.2013.844537
^Habermehl, N.D.B. (2000) Joan Cornelis van der Hoop (1742—1825). Marinebestuurder voor stadhouder Willem V en koning Willem I.
^Ron van Maanen. "Preliminary list of Dutch naval vessel built or required in the period 1700-1799" (PDF). 3decks.pbworks.com. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
External links
Portrait in Rijksmuseum
March 03, 2023
john, shipwright, john, maij, 1694, 1779, english, shipwright, from, chatham, served, from, 1758, 1779, master, shipbuilder, amsterdam, admiralty, shipwright, main, buildings, amsterdam, admiralty, pierre, fouquet, 1729, 1800, oostelijke, eilanden, amsterdam, . John May Sr or Jan Maij 1694 1779 was an English shipwright from Chatham who served from 1758 1779 as Master Shipbuilder of the Amsterdam Admiralty 1 A shipwright and the main buildings of the Amsterdam Admiralty by Pierre Fouquet 1729 1800 The Oostelijke Eilanden in Amsterdam on a map by Gerrit de Broen dated 1782 Contents 1 Career 2 Family 3 Designs 4 References 5 External linksCareer EditJohn May was hired in 1728 by the Amsterdam Admiralty In 1727 this Admiralty the largest of the five Dutch Admiralties had hired Charles Bentham and Thomas Davis to work for them in improving ship design 2 John May served as the assistant to Charles Bentam for three decades 3 May taught the art of shipbuilding and after the death of Bentam in 1758 he was appointed Master Shipbuilder and would serve in the position for 21 years In 1761 May was accused of belonging to a camarilla with Count of Gronsveld which managed the Admiralty 4 5 6 Family EditIn 1714 he married Rebecca Pensix 1743 a spinster from Gillingham 1 the couple had five children who lived to adulthood Job John William Rebecca and George In 1762 he married Magteld Geertruy Kannegieter of Amsterdam His son John May Jr or Johannes Maij Rochester 1724 1782 married Martha Naudin in March 1753 the couple had five daughters 7 At that time he lived at Reguliersgracht but moved to Keizersgracht near Westerkerk May traded in company with J A Crop on Narva Reval and Riga a decade later on the Caribbean In March 1776 at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War they shipped weapons and horses from Deptford to North America 8 During the Fourth Anglo Dutch War he was pro British and the company liquidated in 1782 9 Job May also a shipwright owned the shipyard Yhoek on Wittenburg which John bought in 1767 In 1790 it was sold by his son in law Isaac ten Cate who took over his business and involved in setting up a training for sailors In 1793 John s daughter Elisabeth married Paul Busti a real estate agent operating the Holland Land Company in Philadelphia 10 William May Maij Chatham 1725 1807 a captain and equipment master from 1780 devised various innovations in shipbuilding and cooperated with Robert Seppings 11 He played a role on 30 May 1787 when the Admiralty was occupied and his house was besieged during the Patriot revolt 12 He escaped with his family across the Y 13 In December 1787 he appointed as captain of a civic guard William was the father of Job Seaborn May midshipman and Rear Admiral Designs EditJohn May Sr s designs in alphabetical order are 14 Admiraal de Ruyter 3rd charter on stocks at Amsterdam 22 July 1777 launched 13 November 1778 captured by British Dimensions 167 x 46 9 11 x 20 60 68 guns 350 450 men Alarm 7th charter on stocks 14 August 1773 launched 22 July 1774 captured by British 1799 Dimensions Amsterdam foot 125 7 11 x 34 x 13 2 11 24 guns 150 men Alphen 6th charter 1766 exploded in battle 1778 Dimensions Amsterdam foot 139 8 11 lower deck x 37 8 11 x 15 8 11 36 guns Argo 5th charter on stocks 14 December 1771 launched 9 December 1772 sold 1785 1787 Bellona 6th charter 1768 condemned 1796 dimensions Amsterdam foot 139 8 11 lower deck x 37 8 11 x 15 8 11 36 guns 230 men Beverwijk 6th charter 1767 sold 1784 dimensions 139 8 11 lower deck x 37 8 11 x 15 8 11 height between decks 7 2 36 guns 230 men Bloys van Treslong 5th charter 1754 sold 1782 dimensions 141 lower deck x 39 7 11 x 17 7 11 44 guns Boreas 7th charter 1768 last mentioned 1786 dimensions 123 4 11 prow x 33 7 11 x 12 height between decks 6 6 24 guns Erfprins 4th charter 1770 wrecked 1783 dimensions 154 x 43 x 20 guns 52 56 300 men Hof van Souburg 6th charter 1761 condemned 1788 dimensions 139 8 11 prow x 37 8 11 x 15 8 11 36 guns 130 men Holland 3rd charter 1761 sunk 1781 dimensions 167 lower deck x 45 8 11 x 20 64 68 guns Kennemerland 4th charter 1761 burnt 1778 dimensions 153 lower deck x 43 x 20 54 guns Leiden 3rd charter on stocks at Amsterdam 17 september 1784 launched 26 july 1786 captured by British 1799 dimensions 167 lower deck x 46 9 11 x 20 68 guns Mars 5th charter 1769 captured by British 1781 dimensions 139 8 11 lower deck x 37 8 11 x 15 8 11 32 36 guns Nassau 3rd charter 1759 broken up 1784 dimensions 167 prow x 45 8 11 x 20 64 68 guns 450 men Nassau Weilburg 4th charter 1760 wrecked 1783 dimensions 153 lower deck x 43 x 20 52 54 guns 300 men Prinses Royaal 2nd charter 1759 stricken 1780 dimensions 182 3 11 lower deck x 49 5 11 x 20 72 74 guns Valk 7th charter 1770 captured 1799 dimensions 125 7 11 x 34 x 13 2 11 24 guns 158 163 men Venus 7th charter 1768 captured by British 1796 dimensions 125 7 11 x 33 7 11 x 13 2 11 24 guns 156 men Waakzaamheid 7th charter 1769 captured by French 1794 dimensions 125 7 11 x 34 x 13 2 11 20 24 guns 150 175 men Weststellingwerf 7th charter 1755 stricken 1781 dimensions 122 x 14 x 12 8 11 22 24 guns Zephier 6th charter 1767 wrecked 1783 dimensions 139 8 11 lower deck x 37 8 11 x 15 8 11 36 guns 230 men Zwieten 5th charter 1759 last mentioned 1782 dimensions 141 lower deck x 39 7 11 x 17 7 11 44 guns 250 men References Edit a b Nieuw Nederlandsch Biografisch Woordenboek NNBW Resources huygens knaw nl Retrieved 15 July 2022 Lemmers Alan 2013 Shipworm Hogbacks and Duck s Arses The influence of William May on Sir Robert Seppings The Mariner s Mirror the International Quarterly Journal of the Society for Nautical Research 99 4 411 doi 10 1080 00253359 2013 844537 S2CID 162226133 J C de Jonge 1833 1848 Geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Zeewezen p 230 Voorloper eener wettelycke verantwoording van Mr Lucas Willem Kramp J Elias 1903 De Vroedschap van Amsterdam II p 578 Notoire onruststoker Notaris Kramp Alleamsterdamseakten nl Inventarissen Archief amsterdam Retrieved 15 July 2022 Inventarissen Notariele archieven archiefnummer 5075 inventarisnummer 12465 aktenummer 66800 P J van Winter 1927 1933 Het aandeel van den Amsterdamschen handel aan den opbouw van het Amerikaansche Gemeenebest p 265 Uitg Nijhoff s Gravenhage In English American finance and Dutch investment 1780 1805 with an epilogue to 1840 ISBN 0 405 09860 X en ISBN 0 405 09715 8 Alan Lemmers 2013 Shipworm Hogbacks and Duck s Arses The influence of William May on Sir Robert Seppings The Mariner s Mirror 99 4 410 428 DOI 10 1080 00253359 2013 844537 Patriotten en Bijltjes Digitaleetalages nl Habermehl N D B 2000 Joan Cornelis van der Hoop 1742 1825 Marinebestuurder voor stadhouder Willem V en koning Willem I Ron van Maanen Preliminary list of Dutch naval vessel built or required in the period 1700 1799 PDF 3decks pbworks com Retrieved 15 July 2022 External links EditPortrait in Rijksmuseum Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John May shipwright amp oldid 1130468288, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
