The Zeewijk was built in 1725 with a tonnage of 140 lasten (275.8 t) and dimensions 145 feet long (41.0 m) by 36 feet wide (10.2 m). It carried 36 iron and bronze guns, and 6 swivel guns.[2] A new ship of the Zeeland Chamber of the VOC, her maiden voyage was from Vlissingen (Netherlands) to Batavia (now Jakarta, Indonesia) departing in November 1726.[3] Upon departure 208 seamen and soldiers were aboard,[2] as well as a cargo of general building supplies and 315 836 guilders in 10 chests.[3] Jan Steyns from Middelburg was the skipper, in his first command,[2] replacing Jan Bogaard who was too sick to sail.[3]