biography
| name: |
Hein or Heyn, Piet Pietersz
|
pronunciation:
[hiyn]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1577–1629)
|
| biography:
| Dutch admiral, born in Delfshaven, W Netherlands. He began his career in the merchant navy and was captured by the Spanish, spending several years in the galleys before being exchanged in 1608. He served first with the Dutch East India Company, then on his own ship and finally with the Dutch West India Company. In 1628 he won lasting renown by capturing the Spanish Silver Fleet in Matanzas Bay in Cuba, a prize worth some 12 million guilders, of which he got little if any. Maurice's States put him in charge of the navy. He was killed in action against Flemish privateers and is buried in the Old Church in Delft. His deeds are commemorated in a well-known popular song. |
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