Boshoff, Jan Pieter

Jan Pieter Boshoff was on born on 06 March 1895 in Vlissingen (Flushing) in the province of Zeeland in the south West Netherlands. He was the son of Leendert Boshoff (Shopkeeper *) and Maria Magdalena Vogel.

He married on 08 December 1912 at Amsterdam with Geertje de Vries (Born on 26 July 1895 at Kwadijk (North Holland) as daughter of Johannes de Vries (teacher) and Antje Smit.)  (a)

He lived at Groenesteinstraat 96 in The Hague at that time.

(*): according to the articles of joining, the Maritime Academy records say that his father was a supervisor for the Municipal Gas Works of the Hague.

He joined the Kweekschool voor de Zeevaart, Maritime Academy in Amsterdam on 01 September 1911 and was considered a very good pupil. On 28 February 1913 he received at the end of the 2nd year an Attest for Excellence in Nautical Science.  On 26 June 1913 he wins the second price in Practical Nautical Science and modern seamanship.

On 19 July he was placed as cadet on board the cargo ship  the ss Westerdijk (Capt. J.J. de Koning) of the Holland America Line at   fl. 15,– a month.  He returned to his school on 20 August 1914 with a very good attest for his sailing time and passed on 14 October his exam for 3rd mate. He was discharged on 23 October 1914 from the Academy with a very good attest for ability, very good behaviour and a very good attest for his sea voyages. He was nbr. 6 on the list of 25 in ranking of the achievers of the year.

He then returned to Holland America and signs on, on 28 Oct. 1914 on the ss Rijndam (I) as 4th. officer.

Sometime between 1914 and 1924 he married Gerda de Vries. (Further details unknown) (a)

As far as is known, there were 3 childeren:

Marie Anna (born 15 January 1925)

Johan Leendert (born 17 January 1927) He would later join Holland America and was promoted to Captain on the cargo side and after the cargo division hads been sold to Bostrom of Sweden on 01 Jan. 1975 went with them.

Gerda (born 20 July 1933)

NOTE: If there are any family members out there or other people who have information  (even if it is only a photo) please contact me on Captalbert1@aol.com. I would love to make his biography more complete.

During the war the family lived in Haarlem (Kamerling Omnesstaat 7) and received an allotment of fl 270,– a month with an extra fl 3,– day premium.

GAP. Apart from the ships list below, no additional information over the period 1914 – 1941.

On the 21st. of January 1941 Jan Boshoff was assigned as captain of the ss Maasdam (III). This was one of the small passenger cargo ships Holland America had built around 1921 for the serivce to Cuba and the the Gulf of Mexico. Because their large cargo capacity and a reasonable passenger capacity  they were very handy ships during the war as they had the option of having service people sail with their cargo. The small ships were immediatelly employed on the New York to Great Britain shuttle, sailing from New York to Halifax, joining the convoy there and then heading for Liverpool. Often then a trip around the English coast was included (also in convoy) before the ship sailed back to the USA. The return voyage was also in voyage but the convoy dispersed as soon as the ships were deemed to be beyond U-boat reach.

Captain Boshoff made two complete round voyages (84 & 85) with this ship and then left on 11 June 1941 New York for the 3rd one, sailing again to Halifax. There the ship took its place in convoy HX133 and left Halifax on 16 June heading for Liverpool.

While in convoy, the ship was torpedoed on 26 June 1941. U-boats had been spotted earlier and all on board on were on high alert with the lifeboats ready to be lowered. At 23.45 the ss Maasdam was hit by a torpedo launched by U 564 (leutnant 2nd class Suhren) on the portside near Hatch nbr II. Very shortly after the munition ship ss Malaya II sailing next to her (in convoy the ships sailed very close together) was also hit by a torpedo  from the U 564  and exploded. Shortly after a 3rd ship was hit by a torpedo again from the same U 564. Debris from the ss Malaya  rained down on the Maasdam and created even more havoc and caused damage to some lifeboats rendering them un-usable. The ship was stopped and started to sink by the bow. All on board could safely disembark with the other lifeboats with Captain boshoff being the last one to leave. His lifeboat then started to make water and some on board floated out. With the lifeboat going under water all swam away to the Norwegian tanker  ss Havprins sailing right behind the sinking Maasdam. Unfortunately that ship had to go astern to avoid hitting the derelict Maasdam and two passengers / nurses drowned in the wash.  Ropes and barrels had been deployed along the hull of the Norwegian tanker to hold on to, and one of the dutch crew dove into the water to help the nurses, but to no avail. This Norwegian tanker ss Havprins saved 44 of the ships complement, including the captain, and the Norwegian ship ss Rhonda 28 more.  The 44 were landed safely on 04 July at Avonmouth  and the 28 others later in Iceland.

After arrival in England Captain Boshoff returned with the ss Edam (IV) (sistership to the Maasdam) as passenger to New York. Here he was given an extended leave between  4 October and 23 December 1941 to recuperate from the ordeal.

After a spell on the ms Delftdijk he was appointed Staff Captain on the Nieuw Amsterdam (II). This was not considered a  demotion in rank as one was serving under the Commodore of the company. He remained there for 2 two years and sailed mostly in the Pacific.

Then it is back to regular captain, and now  in charge of the ss Philips Wouwerman. This was a Dutch Government ship which was manned and managed by Holland America. The Dutch Government had commenced buying ships from the American and British shipyards to replenish lost cargo in the war and also to have a peace time fleet ready to operate once the war would be over.

Then he is transferred to the ss Leedam (II), also a sistership of the sunken Maasdam. and he brings her home to Rotterdam on 04 September 1945 after an absence of 5 years. On board are 5000 tons of wheat for the Dutch population. Capt. Boshoff went on leave but the ship sailed again to New York after 10 days with a cargo of tulip bulbs.

Then the A class cargo ships arrived in the fleet and Captain Boshoff was given command of the ss Arkeldyk and ss Alblasserdyk. Then by 1950 he had reached sufficient seniority to be put in command of the larger passengerships, in this case the ms Westerdam (I). This was one of passenger cargo ships which was employed on the Rotterdam – New York direct service and had space for 125 passengers in first class accommodation.

Then assigments came to the new passengerships the ss Maasdam (IV) and the ss Ryndam (II).

These two sisters were mainly Tourist class ships with a small 1st class accommodation around the funnel. They were marketed as the “thrifty” liners as they provided good service for  a good price for emigrants and tourist class passengers.

During his final voyage on the ss Ryndam in March 1955 he comes across a memory of the 2nd world war when his ss Maasdam (III) was torpedoed.

Mrs. Ruth Martin was one of the Red Cross nurses on board the ss Maasdam when the ship went down. She and the captain where in the water at the same time and helped each other to cling to a pilot ladder until the Norwegian crew could pull them on board. In this way both were saved and she served the remainder on the war in Europe. Mrs. Martin boarded the ss Ryndam on 04 March 1955 in Southampton to return to the USA. On the crossing the Ryndam sailed close to the postion of the sinking and this was commerated with a photo opportunity.

This was also the last voyage of the captain and after returning from New York he retired on 19 March 1955  from the company after a last arrival in Rotterdam.

GAP. No information about retirement an demise.

Sailing and career list; (b)

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

18 Jul. 1913    Cadet                        Westerdijk               20,–

26 Aug. 1914  Temporary dismissed to go to school for 3^rd mates license

14 Oct. 1914   Passed exam for 3^rd mate

28 Oct. 1914   Wage increase                                            30,–

28 Oct. 1914   4^th. Officer             Rijndam                    30,–

18 Feb. 1915   Temporary dismissed for military service

11 Aug. 1916  Wage increase                                            50,–

11 Aug. 1916  4^th. Officer            Rijndam                     50,–

10 Nov. 1916  Wage increase                                            60,–

10 Nov. 1916  3^rd officer              Zuiderdijk                 60,–

12 Apr.  1917  Wage increase                                             70,–

08 May. 1917  Made available to the military authorities

11 Jun.  1917  3^rd Officer            Oosterdijk                 70,–

01 Sep. 1917   Wage increase                                             80,–

01 Mar. 1918  Wage increase                                             90,–

Due to the confiscation of the ss Oosterdijk returned to Rotterdam with the ss Nieuw Amsterdam.

12 Apr. 1918   Temporary dismissed for military service

09 Jul. 1918    Non paid short leave period

30 Jul. 1918    3^rd Officer             Amsteldijk                     90,–

with the Nieuw Amsterdam to New York

10 Feb. 1919   Temporary dismissed to go to school for 2^nd mates ticket

On standby money. Obtained 2^nd mates ticket on 14 May 1919

15 May. 1919  3^rd. officer           Rotterdam                 90,–    admin. only

26 Jun. 1919   3^rd officer            Maartensdijk             90,–

01 Jul. 1919    Wage increase                                             135,-

01 Jan. 1920    Wage increase                                            145,–

19 Jun. 1920   2^nd Officer                                                     200,–

Wage increase                                                                             240,– per 1 Jan. 1920

01 Sep. 1921   Wage decrease                                           228,-

16 Oct. 1921   Wage decrease                                           216,–

08 Nov. 1921  Temporary ashore to go to school to obtain First Mates license

25 Apr. 1922   Passed test for First Mates License

27 Apr. 1922   2^nd officer            Ashore                             210,–

08 May. 1922  2^nd Officer         Warszawa                        210,–

02 Oct. 1922   2^nd Officer         Edam                                    210,–

05 May. 1924  2^nd Officer         Nieuw Amsterdam       210,–

21 Aug. 1924  Temporary ashore

22 Sep. 1924   2^nd Officer         Nieuw Amsterdam         210,–

Has the Sperry Gyro Certificate

12 Dec. 1924   2^nd Officer         Rijndam                                  210,–

29 Jan. 1925    2^nd Officer Jr.   Veendam                                 210,–

07 Jan. 1926    Act. Ch. Off.      Maasdam                                 285,–      cancelled

29 Jun. 1926   Act. Ch. Off.      Veendam                                   285,–

22 Apr. 1927   Act. Ch. Off.      Boschdijk                                  285,–

12 Oct. 1927   Act. Ch. Off.     Zijldijk                                          285,–

16 Feb. 1928   Act. Captain     Zijldijk                                          285,– +4 fl. premium a day

27 Feb. 1928   Act. Ch. Off.      Zijldijk                                           285,–  At Amsterdam

15 Oct. 1928   Act. Captain     Zijldijk                                             285,– + 4 fl. premium a day

29 Oct. 1928   Act. Ch. Off.      Zijldijk                                               285,–

22 Nov. 1928  Act. Ch. Off.       Burgerdijk                                      285,–

01 Jan. 1929    Wage increase                                                              295,–

03 Apr. 1929   Temporary ashore                                                       295,–

30 Apr. 1929   Chief Officer    Nieuw Amsterdam                     295,–  as pax. to NY

11 May. 1929  Chief Officer   Boschdijk                                          295,–

26 Feb. 1930   Chief Officer   Nieuw Amsterdam                     2 95,–

Acting 2^nd officer with 4 fl. premium a day

12 Mar. 1930  Temporary ashore                                                       295,– leave from Indies

10 Apr. 1930   Chief Officer   Statendam                                       295,–

10 May. 1930  Temporary ashore                                                      295,–

10 Jun. 1930   Chief Officer   Veendijk                                           295,–

29 Jun. 1930   Wage increase                                                               305,–

29 Jun. 1930    Chief Officer  Boschdijk                                          305,–

04 Aug. 1930  Chief Officer   Moerdijk                                           305,–

20 Apr. 1931   2^nd Officer Sr. Rotterdam                                        245,-    back to 2^nd officer

30 Nov. 1931  Wage decrease                                                     208,–

08 Dec. 1931   Temporary ashore                                             208,–

14 Dec. 1931   2^nd Officer       Rotterdam                              208,–

15 Dec. 1931   Temporary ashore                                             208,–

21 Dec. 1931   2^nd Officer       Rotterdam                              208,–

22 Dec. 1931   Temporary ashore at 70%                             208,–

28 Dec. 1931   2^nd Officer       Rotterdam                              208,–

29 Dec. 1931   Temporary ashore at 70%                             208,–

04 Jan. 1932    2^nd Officer          Rotterdam                            208,–  cancelled

05 Jan. 1932    Temporary ashore at 70%                              208,–  cancelled

11 Jan. 1932    2^nd Officer          Rotterdam                             208,–

12 Jan. 1932    Temporary ashore at 70%                               208,–

18 Jan. 1932    2^nd Officer          Rotterdam                              208,–

10 Apr. 1932   Temporary ashore at 70%                                208,-

29 Apr. 1932   2^nd Officer          Rotterdam at 70%              208,–

29/4, 4/5 and 7/5 full wages and on board money

09 May. 1932  2^nd Officer         Rotterdam                                208,–

15 Sep. 1932   2^nd Officer         Rotterdam         at 70%        208,–

01 Oct. 1932   Temporary ashore                           at 70%       208,–

14 Nov. 1932  2^nd Officer         Boschdijk                                   208,–

04 May. 1933  2^nd Officer        Breedijk                                       208,–

28 Jun. 1933   Wage decrease with 5% in accordance with circulaire No 929 dated 27-6-33

25 Aug. 1933  2^nd Officer        Binnendijk                                  208,–

29 Oct. 1933   2^nd Officer       Rotterdam                                  208,–

23 Dec. 1933   Wage decrease to                                                  187,50 see Circ No 929 dated 27-6-33

01 Oct. 1933   Wage decrease                                                          181,–

27 Oct. 1933   Temporary ashore                                                    181,– regular leave

10 Nov. 1934  Temporary ashore at 70%                                    181,–

10 Dec. 1934   2^nd Officer      Rotterdam                                     181,–

27 May. 1935  Temporary ashore                                                    181,– regular leave.

01 Jun. 1935   2^nd Officer       Rotterdam                                     181,–

25 Nov. 1935  Act. Ch. Off.      Edam                                                 219,25,–

5 years 3 months and 14 days in service as chief Officer

10 Aug. 1936  Act. Captain     Edam                                                  350,–

13 Aug. 1936  Act. Ch. Off.      Edam                                                   219,25,–

13 Aug. 1936  Wage increase                                                                223,–

13 Aug. 1937  Wage increase                                                                226,75

01 Oct. 1937   According to new regulation                                 255,25

01 Dec. 1937   Temporary ashore                                                       255,25 regular leave

Gap

here the records in the archives stop as the company went over to a new administration system. Further records are held by the HAL pension fund but these are not made available to the public.

16 Feb, 1940   Chief Officer   Noordam                                           268,30     Until  25 July.

08 Aug. 1940   Chief Officer  Noordam                                            268.30      Until 23 Dec.

13 Jan. 1941    Promotion to master.

21 Jan. 1941    Captain               Maasdam                                          390,– + 15%  Until 24 March.

02 Apr. 1941    Captain               Maasdam                                          390,– + 15%   Until 29 May

11 Jun. 1941    Captain               Maasdam                                          390,– +15 %   Until 27 Jun.

Torpedoed and on leave.  Ship sank near Iceland, and he was the last one to leave.

Arrived at NY on 04 Oct. 1941 with Edam

04 Oct. 1941 – 23 Dec. 1941 continiuous leave in New York.

Sailed 23 Dec. 1941 from New York per ss Edam to take command of Delftdijk in England

13 Jan. 1942    Captain               Delftdijk                                            514,–   Until 25 Jan.1943

25 Jan. 1943    Captain               On leave                                            462,–   Until 18 Mar. 1943

19 Mar.1943   Staff Captain    Nieuw Amsterdam                     462, —   At San Francisco

Arrived 15 Oct. 1943 at San Francisco scheduled leave per 01 Nov.

01 Nov. 1943   Staff Captain    Nieuw Amsterdam                    462, 50  at San Francisco

XX Dec.1943   Staff Captain   Nieuw Amsterdam      Until 03 Apr. 1944

30 Apr. 1944   Captain                Philips Wouwerman   Until 26 May 1945

18 Aug. 1945   Captain               Leerdam                             Until 12 Sep. 1945

13 Sep. 1945   Captain               On leave                              Until 10 Oct. 1945

TBA.

19 Oct. 1946    Captain              Travel with ms Weltevreden as passenger to New York and then by train to San Francisco to collect the ss Arkeldyk.

07 Nov. 1946   Captain                      Arkeldyk                     Until 01 Apr. 1948

06 May. 1948   Captain                    Sailed with ms Westerdam to New York and then by train to Mobile to collect ss Alblasserdyk

19 May.1948    Captain                       Alblasserdyk           Until 24 Sep. 1950

26 Oct. 1950   Captain                         Blijdendyk (II)        Until 16 Dec. 1950

10 Mar. 1951   Captain                        Westerdam             Until 11 Feb. 1952

22 Feb. 1952   Captain                         Ryndam (II)             Until 26 Nov. 1953

29 Jan. 1954    Captain                         Westerdam              Until 12 Jul. 1954

15 Jul. 1954     Captain                         Groote Beer            Until 29 Aug.1954

29 Aug. 1954   Captain                         Ryndam (II)             Until 19 Mar.1955

Retired on 19 March 1955 from ship and company after 42 years at sea.

Sources:

(a) Mr. H.B Kruidhof.

(b) Photos and collected informatie Captain Albert archives.

(c) Holland America Line archives as held by the Municipal archives of the city of Rotterdam.

Last updated:   19 July 2025