History of Clipper Johanna Engelina — Built 1897 in Middelburg

Launched in 1897

The Johanna Engelina was launched in Middelburg on 27 November 1897 under the name "Daniël Jacoba", commissioned by Jan Hendrik Viergever of St. Annaland. His parents, Daniël Viergever and Jacoba de Vin, gave the ship its name. She was built by Borsius & v.d. Leye in Middelburg. Her dimensions at the time were 37,45 x 6,84 x 1,91 metres and 273 tonnes.

The Dana Adriana deeply laden, tacking on the Haringvliet

A Ship for Rough Waters

At the time, Jan Hendrik Viergever chose a heavy, robust ship because he wanted to carry cargo between what were then the Zealand islands. These waters were known for their turbulent character, and only a highly seaworthy ship could hope for a long life here. During recent refits, measurements showed that the hull is still 8 mm thick in places.

Johanna Engelina on the Haringvliet, 1907

The Cargo Trade

After her launch, the Daniël Jacoba carried bulk goods such as sand, manure, grain and other agricultural produce. This was of course done under sail alone; only in the 1930s was an engine installed. Before long, Pieter Theunisse came aboard as a hand. On 27 July 1911 he was able to buy the ship.

Daniël Jacoba on the Waal near Nijmegen, 1920s

The War Years

During the war the ship kept sailing until the end of 1944. It was then decided to set her aground in a backwater of the Waal, near Haaften, at an extremely high water level. Although the ship was indeed confiscated by the Germans, they could not get her out of there. As a result she was spared and could soon be sailing with cargo again after the war.

Daniël Jacoba (now Johanna Engelina), 1920s–1930s

The Post-War Period

On 14 December 1948 Pieter Theunisse died unexpectedly. His widow, Jenneke Pieterman, carried on sailing together with her children. In 1949 the masts were taken out and an 18 hp Deutz engine was fitted on the foredeck. In the late 1950s this was replaced by a 100 hp Daf, and a wheelhouse was added on the afterdeck.

Jenneke Theunisse on the afterdeck, 1930s

From Cargo Ship to Charter Ship

In the late 1970s Jelte and Annelies Toxopeus bought the ship. At first they used her as a place to live, but over time she was rebuilt and transformed into a charter ship and sailing clipper. It was then that they also gave the ship her current name, "Johanna Engelina", after both their mothers. Laurens Sinaasappel has been the owner and skipper since 1999.

Piet T. with the engine, pictured Piet T. Jzn, 1958

Renamed Five Times

According to the measurement certificate, the ship was renamed five times between 1960 and 1977: from Daniël Jacoba to Pieter T., to Jo-Ba, to Rita, to José and finally to Johanna Engelina.

Daniël Jacoba in Germany, 1920s