Document: Order respecting vessels in port

Whereas the vessels lying in the harbor near the public Weigh-house of this city are considered to be seriously in the way should the enemy arrive, and it is therefore necessary that they be brought thence in season, inside the float (in 't vlot), therefore all skippers, barge and boat-men of this city, are hereby ordered and instructed to bring their vessels from said harbor inside the float, and to anchor before this city, and on the arrival of more than one ship at a time, to haul them behind the ship Surinam near the circular battery (rondeel) in front of the widow Loocquermans, on pain of having all vessels without discrimination burnt, which will then be found lying in the way. Done Fort Willem Hendrick, this 27th March, 1674.