Trader and navigator who traveled to the New World at least four times, mapping the area between today's New Jersey and Massachusetts between 1611 and 1614. His ship, Tyger, burned at the island of Manhattan in November 1614 and his men were forced to build structures on land making them the first Europeans to take residence there. With the help of the indigenous people, they built a new ship, Onrust ("Restless") and departed the island the following Spring. Onrust was the first ship to traverse "Hell Gate" between the East River and Long Island Sound. They were also the first Eurpoeans to sail up the Connecticut River. A replica of Onrust was launched in 2009. A historic landmark plaque was placed by the Holland Society of New York in 1890 commemorating these first houses built on Manhattan. The plaque, formerly mounted on the building at 41 Wall Street near the site of the first houses, no longer exists. Block Island off the state of Rhode Island bears his name. His map of the area made in 1614 is credited with the first use of the name New Netherland. Block died at sea some time in 1627.
Trader and navigator who traveled to the New World at least four times, mapping the area between today's New Jersey and Massachusetts between 1611 and 1614. His ship, Tyger, burned at the island of Manhattan in November 1614 and his men were forced to build structures on land making them the first Europeans to take residence there. With the help of the indigenous people, they built a new ship, Onrust ("Restless") and departed the island the following Spring. Onrust was the first ship to traverse "Hell Gate" between the East River and Long Island Sound. They were also the first Eurpoeans to sail up the Connecticut River. A replica of Onrust was launched in 2009. A historic landmark plaque was placed by the Holland Society of New York in 1890 commemorating these first houses built on Manhattan. The plaque, formerly mounted on the building at 41 Wall Street near the site of the first houses, no longer exists. Block Island off the state of Rhode Island bears his name. His map of the area made in 1614 is credited with the first use of the name New Netherland. Block died at sea some time in 1627.
Bio by: Gary Urbanowicz
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