Coster; Cornelis Hendrik, Pieter

Cornelis Hendrik Pieter Coster was born on 24 October 1890 in the town of Brummen, located in the Eastern part of the Netherlands north east of the city of Arnhem. He was the son of a local Innkeeper and later Hotel owner and Krijna Geertruida van Nahijs.  When he was 15 years old he entered the “Kweekschool voor de Zeevaart” in Amsterdam for the 3 year course. This meant that he had little to no education in mathematics of physics.  An unusual situaiton was that he belonged to the “Waalsche kerk”. this was a protestant church but originally for refugees from France and the sermons were in French. There was also a chapter in Amsterdam.

The marks listed on his school records were only getting better in last year and the scores for “behavior” were very low in general. Highest marks were for fencing and other physical sports.  This did not affect his chances for joining a good company and on 24 August 1908 is is accepted by the Holland America Line as cadet and placed on board the ss Sloterdijk (Captain Jan Baron). On 28 of March 1909 he transferred to the new flagship the ss Rotterdam (IV) for the remainder of his cadet year.

On 9 September 1909 he returned to the Academy with a very good sailing report and then passed on 15 October 1909 he exam for 3rd Mate. He is then dismissed with a very good “attest” for skills, good behavior and av ery good report for his sailing year.

He then returned to Holland America as 4th. officer and is sent to the ss Amsteldijk (I), the first real cargo ship of the company built in 1900. Normally one gets promoted to 3rd officer very fast, but Coster remained 4th. for 2 full years and was then promoted to 3rd. officer on the ss Goredijk (I).

His assignments remain a mixture of cargo ship and passengerships but gets promoted ot 2nd officer on 21 June 1913 on the ss Zaandijk (I). Holland America was expanding tis fleet and thus he sailed only fo a year as 3rd. officer.  then in September 1913 he obtains a commision as Royal Netherlands Navy Reserve Officer and is sent to Hr. Ms. Atjeh the training ship of the Navy for 3 months.   He will maintain his Royal Reserve status until his retirement.

ADD PHOTO Zaandijk 1

Note ED:  Ihave very little information about the captains private life. If there is anybody who reads this and has photos, anecdotes or anything else that might help me to enhance and complete this biography  and show some more about the “man behind the uniform” please contact me on CaptAlbert1@aol.com.

On 07 September 1914 he married at Arnhem Anna Gerredina Bergman (born 1891) daugher of a local merchant Antonie Berman and Gerredina de Gruijter. (b)

On 09 September 1915 a daughter was born in Rotterdam, called Geertruida Anna Gerredina Coster (passed away on 10 January 1951 at The Hague).  Sometime later the family moved to The Hague. Unknown as of  now is how long Cormelis remained married. The war time salary alottments that most married men sent to their fmaily stopped on 1 July 1944, while se was living at The Hague, (125 II Sweelinckstraat Den Haag.

By the 2nd worldwar he was married to a Mrs. Margaret “Mary” Coster – Potter and lived at 1803 Palisade Place in New York City. Her name is on his 2nd world war registration card as he sent a monthly allotment of $300,– to her.  She came over to the Netherlands in 1950 but they did not stay there as in 1953, his address is given as 1611 Drummond Court Asbury Park New York. So it can be assumed he retired here.  (a.d)

Note: Palisade Place still exists and is a 1930’s 2 bedroom apartment building. Asbury Park is a waterfront property also still exists and is a free standing 5 bedroom house.

His marriage date falls in the 4 year period when he was with the Royal Netherlands Navy as he was mobilized on 18 August 1914 and returned to HAL in july 1919. On July first of 1918 he promotion came through as 2nd lieutenant RNR.  (he would retire in 1915 with the rank of 1st. Lieutenant) One can assume that he was not very busy in 1917/1918 with his navy assignment as on 22 March 1918 he passed  the exam for his First Mate/captains license.

On 24 July 1919 he is back with Holland America and assigned as 2nd officer to the ss Nieuw Amsterdam (I). Here he remained for a year as he is now senior in rank and on 01 June 1920 he is promoted to Chief Officer and joined on that date the ss Waaldijk in New York.  this ship sailed on the “British Indies Line” of the company from New York to the Dutch East Indies and it meant being away for about a year.

Once back home he is assigned to the newbuilding the ss Burgerdijk on 06 June 1921. This ship has been constructed in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, but had then been towed to Belfast for the installation of the engines. Thus he had to travel to Belfast and was present for the delviery on 19 June 1921 and then sail it back to Rotterdam.

Then in his sailing record a peculiar entry pops up )5 Oct. 1921 ashore on probation for 3 months starting 04 Oct. 1921. This normally indicates that the Board of Inquiry had suspended a license. However there are no records found yet that indicate this. Whatever this means Cornelis Coster simply spent that time with the Royal Navy Reserve, went on leave in February 1922 and then joined the ss Blommersdijk on 03 april 1922 as Chief Officer in Belfast to collect the ship after its engines had been installed. In the same way as with the ss Burgerdijk a year earlier.

Then on 02 May  1922 he joined the ss Stadsijk, employed on the East Indies service of the company but from Rotterdam. He made 2 voyages on this ship going as far as Colombo on Sri Lanka (Then Ceylon)returning to New York and East coast ports. then going East again and at the end of the 2nd voyage returning to Rotterdam. The Stadsdijk goes into lay-up and Cornelis Coster transfers to the ss Gorredijk (I)

By 1923, his senority started to kick in and we see more Cargo passenger and full passenger ships appearing on his sailing list. Culminating in fill ins as Acting captain on 06 January 1926  on the ss Maasdam (III) On this ship he makes two voyages  to the Gulf of Mexico via Spanish and Portuguese ports.  He repeats the same voyage one more time in October 1926 but now with the ss Edam (IV)

Now being firmly established as the Sr. Chief Officer of the company with 2 captains credits, he is assigned as Chief Officer to the passengerships. First to the Nieuw Amsterdam (I), then to the flagship Rotterdam (IV) and then  on 01 January 1929  as Chief Officer / Staff Captain to the newbuilding ss Statendam (III)  which would enter service.  In Feburary there is a speel with the royal Navy Reserve again and then it is time to bring the ss Statendam, the new flagship of the company into service, beginning on 01 March 1929

GAP

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GAP.

He is awarded the silver medal of the Netherlands Meteorological Institute on 15 March 1940 for maintaining meteorlogical observation logs on the ships.

GAP.

Was appointed commodore on 22 June 1949 as captain of the ss Nieuw Amsterdam. (II)

He retired on 31 October 1951.

GAP

Passed away on 2 May 1965.

Sailing List: (c.a)

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

24 Aug. 1908      Cadet                                  Sloterdijk                            10,–

28 Mar. 1909      Cadet                                  Rotterdam                         15,–

28 Aug. 1909      Temporary dismissed to go to school for 3^rd mates license passed on 15 Oct. 1909

21 Oct. 1909       4^th. Officer                         Amsteldijk                      30,–

29 Jan. 1910       4^th. Officer                         Nieuw Amsterdam      30,–

10 Mar. 1910      4^th. Officer                         Potsdam                             30,–

10 Sep. 1910       4^th. Officer                         Statendam                         30,–

26 Sep.1910        4^th. Officer                         Rotterdam                         30,–

12 Dec. 1910      4^th. Officer                         Soestdijk                             30,–

01 Jan. 1911       4^th. Officer                         Soestdijk                              40,–

11 Feb. 1911       4^th. Officer                         Noordam                             40,–

18 Aug. 1911      4^th. Officer                         Noordam                              40,–

08 Jan. 1912       3^rd. Officer                         Goredijk                                60,–

29 Jun. 1912       Temporary dismissed to go to school for 2^nd mates license. Passed 9 Oct. 1912

16 Oct. 1912       3^rd. Officer                         Nieuw Amsterdam           70,–

18 Apr.1913        3^rd. Officer                         Nieuw Amsterdam            85,–

21 Jun. 1913       2^nd Officer                          Zaandijk                                100,–

06 Sep. 1913       2^nd Officer                          Zijldijk                                     100,–

27 Sep. 1913       Temporary dismissed for the navy reserve (3 months) starting 01 Oct. With the rank of Ensign first class. Service on board Hr. Ms Atjeh.  Released on 16 Dcember.

27 Dec. 1913      2^nd Officer                          Andijk                                       100,–

23 Mar. 1914      wage increase                                                                         110,–

28 Mar. 1914      2^nd Officer                          Andijk                                        110,-

18 Aug. 1914      Temporary dismissed for national service (mobilization)

22 Mar. 1918      Passed exam for 1^st mates ticket

01 Jul. 1918         Promoted to Lieutenant 2^nd class.

24 Jul. 1919         2^nd Officer                        Nieuw Amsterdam             210,–

01 Jun.1920        Chief Officer                      Waaldijk                                 300,–     At New York

01 Jan. 1920       Wage increase                                                                        320,–    backdated.

06 Jun. 1921       Chief Officer                      Burgerdijk                              340,–

01 Sep. 1921       Wage decrease                                                                       324,–

09 Jul. 1921         Postponement from navy duty to 1 sept.

05 Oct. 1921       Ashore. On probation for 3 months starting 4 Oct. 1921

16 Oct. 1921       Wage decrease                                                                        308,–

21 Nov. 1921      To royal navy reserve for 3 months placed with the hydrographic service

22 Feb. 1922       Temporary ashore

03 Apr. 1922       Chief Officer                      Blommersdijk                    305,–    at Belfast.

02 May 1922       Chief Officer                      Stadsdijk                             305,–

22 Aug. 1923      Chief Officer                      Ashore                                305,–

03 Oct. 1923       Chief Officer                      Gorredijk                            305,–

09 Oct. 1923       Chief Officer                      Ashore                                305,–

11 Oct. 1923       Chief Officer                      Soestdijk                             305,–

18 Oct. 1923       Chief Officer                      Ashore                                305,–

27 Dec. 1923      Chief Officer                      Drechtdijk                           305,–

15 May 1924       Chief Officer                      Rotterdam                         305,–

27 Jul. 1924         Chief Officer                      Ashore                                305,–

28 Jul. 1924         Chief Officer                      Dinteldijk                            305,–

16 Aug.1924       Chief Officer                      Maasdam                           305,

06 Jan. 1926      Act. Captain                       Maasdam                           560,–

07 Apr. 1926       Chief Officer                      Ashore                                305,–

30 Jun. 1926       Act. Captain                       Maasdam                           560,–

18 Sep. 1926       Chief officer                      Ashore                                305,–

25 Oct. 1926       Chief Officer                      Edam                                   560,–

28 Oct. 1926       Act. Captain                       Edam                                   560,–

22 Jan. 1927       Chief Officer                      Ashore                                305,–

28 Jan. 1927       Chief Officer                      Nieuw Amsterdam           305,–

01 Apr. 1927       Chief Officer                      Nieuw Amsterdam           315,–                   wag increase

17 Aug. 1927      Chief Officer                      Ashore                                315,–

22 Aug   1927      Chief officer                      Rotterdam                         315,–

01 Jan.  1929      Chief Officer                      Statendam                         315,–

01 Feb. 1929       Temporary ashore for navy reserve. (leave included)

01 Jan. 1929       Wage increase                                                               325,–

01 Mar. 1929      Chief Officer                      Statendam                         325,–                   newbuilding

23 Oct. 1929       Act. Captain                       Gaasterdijk                         560,–

05 Dec. 1929      Act. Captain                       Ashore                                560,–

In possession of the Sperry gyro Certificate

17 Dec. 1929      Act. Captain                       Nieuw Amsterdam           560,–    as pax to New York for indies

30 Dec. 1929      Captain                               Breedijk                              560,–    at new york

17 Oct. 1930       Paid as chief officer                                                      335,–

15 Dec. 1930      Captain                               Ashore                                560,–

01 Jan. 1931       Chief Officer                      Ashore                                335,–

07 Apr. 1931       Chief Officer                      Statendam                         335,–

16 Nov. 1931      Wage decrease                                                              268,–

02 May 1932       Wage decrease                                                              262,50                  max. acc. to contract

05 Jun. 1932      Temporary ashore                                          70%       262,50

30 Aug. 1932      Chief Officer                      Volendam                           262,50

10 Sep. 1932       Chief Officer                      Volendam            70%       262,50

10 Nov. 1932      Chief officer                      Boschdijk                            262,50

05 May 1933       Chief Officer                      Breedijk                              262,50

28 Jun.  1933      Wage reduced with 5% in acc.with circulaire no 9292 dated 27 June 1933

25 Aug. 1933      Chief Officer                      Binnendijk                          262,50

29 Oct. 1933       Chief Officer                      Rotterdam                         262,50

28 Dec. 1933      Wage reduced with 5% in acc, with circulaire no 9292 dated 27 june 1933

23 Jun. 1934       Temporary ashore                                                         236,50  regular leave

11 Jul.    1934      Temporary ashore                                          70%       236,50

16 Jul.    1934      Chief Officer                      Veendam                            236.50

24 Sep.  1934      Chief Officer                      Leerdam                             236,50

01 Oct. 1934       Wage reduced                                                                226,75

01 Dec. 1934      Chief Officer                      Rotterdam                         226,75

22 May 1935       Temporary ashore                                                         226,75   regular leave

27 May 1935       Chief Officer                      Rotterdam                         226,75

25 Nov. 1935      Act. Captain                       Volendam                           344,–

03 Jan. 1936       Act. captain                       Maasdam                           344,–

24 Feb. 1936       Act. Captain                       Edam                                   350,–

01 Mar. 1936      Due to new regulation for captains wage increase to 350,– see circulaire from accounting dated 12 april 1936

09 Aug. 1936      Temporary ashore                                                         350,–    regular leave

14 Aug. 1936      Act. Captain                       Edam                                   350,–

01 Jan. 1937       Wage increase                                                                    355,–

03 Apr.  1937      Captain                               Bilderdijk                            355,–

01 Oct. 1937       According to new arrangement                            405,–

06 Oct.1938        Captain                               Binnendijk

01 Mar.1939        Captain                               Westernland

xxJan. 1940           Captain                               Sloterdijk                 Fl. 446,–

(newbuilding)

19 Jan. 1940         Captain                               Sloterdijk Until 21 Jan. 1941

On leave

28 Feb.1941           Captain                              Breedijk  Until 09 June 1942

(Departed from Bayonne on 01 March)

11 Jun.1942           Captain                               Leerdam  Until 16 July 1943

(09 Mar – 11 Mar Oerlikon training)

Ashore in USA for leave.

29 Sep.1943           Captain                               Sloterdijk   Until xx June 1945

Ashore USA leave

28 Aug.1945          Captain                                Sloterdijk   Until  18 May 1946

Arrival Rotterdam.

GAP

15 Apr. 1947           Captain                               Duivendijk

13 Sep.1947            Captain                               Noordam

01 Nov. 1948           Captain                               Veendam

21 Jun. 1949            Captain                              Nieuw Amsterdam until 05 May 1951 (leave periods in these 2 years not listed yet)

Retired.

 

 

 

 

 

GAP.

Sources:

a. Photos and information from Captain albert’s database.

b. Family information by D.E Kruidhof. (MarHisData)

c. Stamboek and Mouvementen boeken HAL archives as held by the Municipel Archives of the City of Rotterdam.

d. Genealogy database “Wie was Wie.

e) Personell Cards made during WWII by Dutch Shipping Directorate London