Map for a new design of fort Nieuw Amsterdam
Desmaretz, P.D.
Title Leupe: Plan van de Nieuwe Fortresse aan den mond van de rivieren Suriname en Commewine.
This progress map shows the state of reconstruction of the Nieuw-Amsterdam fort in May 1737. Among other manners, the index claims the construction of the sluice to have been completed ‘to perfection’. Nonetheless, as the project was executed in the course of the next decade, various alterations were made, partly on Commander Chambrier’s initiative.
At the end of 1733, an agreement between the Society of Surinam and representatives of the colonists to improve Surinam's defences was ratified by the Dutch Estates-General. This design would have been made as part of these plans shortly afterwards. The actual work began in 1736 and dragged on with numerous set-backs, conflicts and delays until 1747. Afterwards, the fort would remain problematic both in terms of maintenance and defence. (For more details on its building history, see under 'documentation', especially the book by Temminck Groll.)
North is upper right.
Scale-bar of 60 Rhineland Rods = [approximately 1 : 1,495].
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