Piet
Heyn was born in 1577 and killed in a sea battle in 1629, after
spending most of his life at sea.
As an Admiral for the Dutch West India Company,
Piet Heyn's most famous exploit occurred in 1628 when he captured a
Spanish treasure fleet loaded with gold and silver. He returned with the spoils
from the Carribean to the Netherlands - his home
country. The haul was very significant to the Dutch Republic economy.
A
statue was erected in his honour and still stands near the old
Delfshaven Harbour, Rotterdam, a short distance from his residence.
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