Couvee, Boudewijn Johannes

Boudewijn Jacobus Couvee was born on 13 August 1895 at Tiel, a town in the center of the Netherlands. He was  the son of Hendrik Huibert Couvee (Merchant, later Inspector and even later a Director of  a Life insurance company at Arnhem) and Elisabeth Ludwig.

FOR THE REST THE INFORMATION I HAVE IS RATHER SPARSE AS THERE IS HARDLY ANYTHING ABOUT HIM IN THE ARCHIVES OF THE HAL. NOT EVEN ANY PHOTOS. THE ONE PUBLISHED IS THE ONLY ONE I HAVE FOUND SO FAR. IF THERE IS ANYBODY WHO HAS DETAILS ABOUT THE CAPTAINS LIFE, PLEASE CONTACT ME ON Captalbert1@aol.com.

The city of Tiel is surrounded by rivers on all sides with many river ships passing by so maybe that was the reason for him to go to sea. He was accepted on 02 September 1912 at the Maritime Academy: “De Kweekschool voor de Zeevaart” in Amsterdam. He was enrolled in the two year course, at the age of 17, which means that he had limited mathematics in his previous schooling.  For the school he was a bit of enigma, the “Kweekschool” being very much influenced by the Protestant way of thinking and behavior and he was listed as  Roman Catholic. (Father Protestant, mother Catholic) as a result there is no mention of him being accepted in or other church in Amsterdam.

His school ratings card shows just above average ratings for all the subjects taught and that is quite good as most ratings cards for other pupils show “highs” and “lows”. As a result he finishes school as no. 5 out of 27 in his year.

On23 July 1914 he is accepted as cadet with the Holland Amerika Lijn and placed on board the cargo ship ss Maartensdijk voor voyages to the USA. After a year at sea he returns to the Academy with a “very sufficient” attest for behavior and work on board.  On 13 November 1915 he passed his 3rd. mates exam and is dismissed from the “Kweekschool” with very good reports.

He returns to Holland America and is placed on board the passengership ss Nieuw Amsterdam (I) on 24 November 1915. While the HAL fleet is still sailing he rotates over several ships until with the unlimited U-boat war raging and the USA entering the war, the ships are laid up and subsequently seized.  Couvee, by now 3rd officer, returns home with the Nieuw Amsterdam and is called up for military service.  It is unknown what he did, whether he went to the Royal Netherlands Navy or was assigned to the regular military.  After 8 months he is released as the war is over and he goes to school for his 2nd Mates license. Then he returns to sea with the ss Maasdijk., sailing on the New York service.

Then he is assigned to the ss Waaldijk a cargo ship engaged on the New York – Dutch East Indies service. For this he transfers in New York from the ss Maasdijk and is then away for a year as the ship does not call at Rotterdam. He seemed to have liked it over there as he remains on the ship until it returns to Rotterdam on  30 April 1921. Then he makes 2 voyages on the ss Zuiderdijk, a cargo ship sailing  the first voyage to Boston and Philadelphia and the second one down to Rio de Janeiro. Upon return the goes to school for his First Mates / Captains license.

The ss Waaldijk of Holland America Line. (c)He passes the exam on 13 July 1922. While studying he marries on  05 January 1922 in the town of Teteringen: Anna Dieuwke Metz born at Teteringen (located in the south of the Netherlands near the city of Breda). She was a  daughter of Johannes Sikko Metz (Major of the infantry) and Elisabeth Johanna Maria Hens.

There are eventually an unknown number of children and this helps him to remain employed with Holland America during the depression years. As can be seen from his career listing below that he was setback in rank but remained employed. It was the company’s policy to let go in all ranks the single officers first and then, if needed, those without children. Then the lowest ones on the seniority listing  were set back to a lower rank and ships position; vacated by a single officer who was dismissed.

According to the crew “WAR” card held by the Dutch Government, he spent the war years in the Netherlands under occupation. Further information unknown apart from that he was living at Van Deventerlaan 47 Voorburg. (near The Hague)

Then on 20 July 1945 he sails as passenger to London with the overnight ferry the ss Batavier II from Rotterdam.  In London he is given a berth in the Royal Hotel, until the company has figured out what to do with him. He is then sent to New York on 27 July 1945 in the rank of Chief Officer.

On 13 Aug. 1945 he is assigned to the ms Sloterdyk (II) as chief officer.

GAP in sailing information.

On 13 July 1946 he is assigned for the first time as Captain and goes to the ss Fort Orange. This was a Dutch Government ship that was given into management to Holland America. The company bought the ship in 1947 and renamed it Blijdendyk (II).

From then onwards he sails with increasing seniority on the more senior ships ending in January 1952 on the ms Noordam (II) a passenger cargo shis sailing on the New York service. This was a relieve voyage for the regular captain.

Then the company records stop. It seems that at this moment at the age of 57 he found another job outside the company.

We have some personal information from a letter by cadet Frank van der Meulen who was on the Duivendijk in 1951. (d)

Quote:

Captain B.J Couvee was a quiet man who we did not see very much. He seemed to read a lot and also entertained the passengers on board. He was well liked by the crew. On the westcoast voyages we loaded on the return voyage (Vancouver to Rotterdam :ED.) grain. apples and oranges. The cadet was then the whole day in the holds to ensure that materials were on location for the safe and secure loading. On arrival Antwerp the cadets were then called to the Captains cabin and he gave them each a box of apples. A very human touch that I have never forgotten. Captain Couvee left at the end of that voyage from the ship and I never saw him again.

Unquote.

Career Listing: (b,c)

Date:                    Function:                            Ship:                                    Wages and/or remarks.

27 Jul. 1914         Cadet Officer                     Maartensdijk                     20,–

02 Dec. 1914      Cadet Officer                     Rotterdam                         20,–

13 Feb. 1915       Cadet Officer                     Zuiderdijk                            20,–

24 Jul.  1915        Temporarily dismissed to go to school for 3^rd mates license. Passed 15 Nov. 1915

24 Nov. 1915      wage increase                                                                       30,–

24 Nov. 1915      4^th. Officer                         Nieuw Amsterdam           30,–

05 May.1916      Wage increase                                                                       40,–

31 Oct. 1916       Temporarily ashore

01 Nov. 1916      wage increase                                                                        50,–

01 Nov. 1916      4^th. Officer                         Beukelsdijk                            50,–

04 Jan. 1917       Act. 3^rd Officer                  Beukelsdijk                          60,–

24 May. 1917     3^rd. Officer                          Soestdijk                                60,–

01 Jan. 1918       wage increase                                                                        70,–

Due to the confiscation of the ss Soestdijk back to Holland with the ss Nieuw Amsterdam.

01 Jul. 1918         wage increase                                                                        80,–

17 Jul. 1918         ashore

01 Oct. 1918       in military service.

16 Jun. 1919       out of military service and to school to study for 2^nd mates license

15 Oct. 1919       passed exam.

12 Nov. 1919      3^rd Officer                                          Maasdijk                  130,–

03 Dec. 1919      3^rd Officer                                          Waaldijk                   130,– Java – New York

01 Jan. 1920       wage increase                                                                          140,–

25 Mar. 1920      act 2^nd officer                                   Waaldijk                   240,–

07 Jun. 1920       3^rd Officer                                          Waaldijk                    175,-

01 Jan. 1920       wage increase                                                                          185,–    back dated

15 Oct. 1920       wage increase                                                                        190,–

01 Jan. 1921       2^nd Officer                                         Waaldijk                    240,–

30 May. 1921     2^nd Officer                                         Zuiderdijk                240,–

01 Sep. 1921       wage decrease                                                                        228,–

17 Nov. 1921      Temporary ashore to go to school for 1^st mates license. Passed 13 Jul. 1922

27 Jul. 1922         2^nd Officer                                         Amsteldijk               210,–

07 Aug. 1922      2^nd Officer                                         Zuiderdijk                 210,-

18 Dec. 1922      2^nd Officer                                         Waaldijk                    210,-

20 Dec. 1922      2^nd Officer                                         Burgerdijk                210,-

13 Mar. 1923      2^nd Officer                                         Eemdijk                      210,–

06 Jun. 1923       Temporarily ashore

05 Jul. 1923         2^nd Officer                                         Zijldijk                        210,–

08 Aug. 1923      2^nd Officer                                         Breedijk                     210,–

30 Jan. 1924       temporarily shore

01 Apr. 1924       2^nd Officer                                         Rijndam                      210,–

01 Oct. 1924       2^nd Officer                                         Leerdam                   210,–

26 Aug. 1926      Temporarily ashore                                                              210,–

01 Sep. 1916       2^nd officer                                           Leerdam                  210,–

19 Nov. 1926      Temporarily ashore                                                             210,–

??  ???. 1927       2^nd officer                                              Leerdam                   210,–

01 Apr. 1927       Temporarily ashore                                                              220,–

10 May. 1927     Chief Officer                                    Burgerdijk                285,–

11 Dec. 1927      Temporarily ashore                                                              220,–

12 Jan. 1928       2^nd officer                                         Rijndam                       220,–

22 Feb. 1928       ashore                                                                                          220,–

13 Mar. 1928      2^nd Officer                                        Volendam                  220,–

31 Mar. 1928      Chief Officer                                     Blommersdijk         285,–

15 Sep. 1928       Chief Officer                                     Blijdendijk                285,–

16 Mar. 1929      temporarily shore stayed behind in Amsterdam ill.

29 Apr. 1929       2^nd officer                           ashore                                 230,–

18 Jul. 1929         Chief Officer                      Andijk                                  285,–

30 Aug. 1929      Chief Officer                      Andijk                                  295,–    wage increase

01 Feb. 1930       Temporarily Ashore                                                      295,–    on leave

13 Feb. 1930       Chief Officer                      Andijk                                  295,–

11 May. 1930     Temporarily ashore                                                         295        leave during voyages

26 Sep. 1930       Chief officer                      ashore                                 295,–

15 Oct. 1930       set back to 2^nd officer due to the situation of the Time

16 Oct. 1930       2^nd officer Sr.                     Nieuw Amsterdam     245,–

16 May. 1931     Temporarily ashore                                                        245,–    destined for the Indies

10 Jun. 1931       2^nd Officer                          Nieuw Amsterdam       245,–

22 Jun. 1931       2^nd Officer                          Burgerdijk                        245,–    at NY with the train to Philadelphia

27 Mar. 1932      wage decrease to                                                          208,–

13 Apr. 1932       Temporarily ashore at 70%                                     208,–

27 May. 1932     2^nd Officer                          Maasdam                        208,–

17 Sep. 1932       Temporarily ashore 70 %                                         208,–

22 Sep. 1932       2^nd Officer                          Maasdam                       208,– with 30% suppletie

07 Dec. 1932      Temporarily ashore                                                     208,–    on leave

10 Dec. 1932      Temporarily ashore          at 70%                           208,–

20 Feb. 1933       2^nd Officer                          Volendam                       208,–

25 Feb. 1933       Temporarily ashore          at 70%                           208,–

28 Feb. 1933       2^nd Officer                          Binnendijk                      208,–

19 May. 1933     2^nd Officer                          Volendam                        208,–

17 Jun. 1933       Temporarily ashore                                                      208,–

19 Jun. 1933       2^nd Officer                          Burgerdijk                       208,–

28 Jun. 1933       Wage decrease with 5% in accordance with circulaire No 929 dated 27 June 1933

22 Sep. 1933       2^nd Officer                          Breedijk                            208,–

03 Dec. 1933      Temporarily ashore                                                       208,–    regular leave

17 Dec. 1933      2^nd Officer                          Boschdijk                          208,–

21 Dec. 1933      Temporarily ashore                                                       208,–    ill with the flu

28 Dec. 1933      Wage decrease to                                                         187,20 see circ 929 dated 27  June 33

07 Jan. 1934       2^nd Officer                          Blommersdijk               187,20   from 1 Jan. 34 on 70%

17 May. 1934     temporarily ashore                                                       187,20

22 may 1934       2^nd Officer                           Beemsterdijk                187,20

09 Aug. 1934      temporarily ashore                                                       187,20

21 Aug. 1934      2^nd Officer                           Beemsterdijk                187,20

01 Oct. 1934       Wage decreased to                                                       181,–

01 Feb. 1935       Act. Chief Officer              Maasdam                       211,75

30 Apr. 1935       2^nd Officer                          Beemstedijk                    181,–    setback to 2d.o

16 Apr. 1935       Act. Chief Officer              Edam                                 211,75   promoted to Acting  Chief. Officer.

15 Nov. 1935      Act. Chief Officer              Spaarndam                     211,75

10 May. 1936     Temporarily ashore                                                       211,75

08 Jun.  1936      Act. Chief Officer              Spaarndam                   211,75

16 Jul. 1936         Wage increase to                                                          215,50

13 Mar. 1937      Temporarily ashore                                                       215,50  regular leave

25 Mar. 1937      Chief Officer                      Maasdam                           215,50

17 Jun. 1937       Temporarily ashore                                                       215,50   regular leave

24 Jun. 1937       Chief Officer                      Maasdam                          215,50

16 Jul. 1937         Wage increase to                                                            219,.50

01 Oct. 1937       acc, to new regulations                                                255,25

GAP.

In October 1937 the company changed their administration system. And all the files since this date are kept with the Holland America pension fund and not available for research.

1940 – 1945            ashore

13 Aug. 1945          Chief Officer                    Sloterdijk                       362,–

GAP

13 Jul. 1946              Captain                              Fort Orange

24 Apr. 1947             Captain                              Blijdendijk

10 Dec. 1947             Captain                              Sommelsdijk (II)

01 Sep.- 1949             Captain                            Averdyk  (until 08 Jul. 1951)

25 Aug. 1951               Captain                           Duivendyk (until 29 Dec. 1951)

05 Jan. 1952                Captain                           Noordam (II)  (until 28 Jan. 1952)

No further assignments

Sources:

(a) photo out of the collection of Captain A.M van Gemert.

(b) Stamboek and mouvementenboeken HAL archive as held by the Municipal Archives of the City of Rotterdam.

(c) Voyage information and photos Capt. Albert database and Photo collection.

(d) Mr. Frank van der Meulen, California, USA.  for quotes.

Updated: 16 January 2025.