Jacob Quaeckernaeck (ca 1570-1606) was responsible for opening
trade between Japan and the Netherlands. On the way there, he
lost men to cannibals, and ships to the waves.
As skipper of the galleon "de Liefde", he left the
Netherlands with Jacob Mahu's fleet to traverse the strait of
Magelhaen on June 24, 1598. He left Santa Maria Isle, Chile on
November 27, 1599 enroute to Japan. Lost sistership "de
Hoop" in a storm February 23, 1600.
Reached Lot's Wife Island March 24, 1600.The Japanese inhabitants
put the exhausted crew up. Clashed with the Jesuits present in
Japan and were put under the protection of Emperor Yasu.
By permission left Japan. Sighted Bungo on the isle of Kiu-Ziu
April 9, 1605 and appeared on the coast of Malacca in December
1605. Met with his uncle, Cornelis Matelieff de Jonge, on August
19, 1606 to tell him he had opened trade with Japan on behalf
of the Netherlands.
He never saw his homeland again, falling in battle off Malacca
in late 1606.
