Dekema, Anton (Anthony or Anthonij)

Anton Dekema was born on 04 February 1887 in the town of Purmerend, which is located north of Amsterdam. His father was Pieter Jacobus Dekema (Watch maker) and his mothers name was Grietje Willig. There were two other sons. (a) He continued to liver there as the intake papers for the Maritime Academy note that he was at time living at the “Dubbele Buurt” in Purmerend. This is the main shopping street of the town, so it can be assumed that his father had a shop to sell watches and clocks.

When he was 14 years old he was accepted by the “Kweekschool voor de Zeevaart” on 26 August 1901, for the three year training course.  During his three years there, she scored consistent good marks for behavior, languages and Weaponry. He was not that great (or interested) in physical exercise.

He joined the Holland America Line as cadet on 22 August. 1904 and was placed on board the ss Rijndam (I) and returns from sea on 09 September 1905. During this year he also sailed on the cargo ship ss Sloterdijk. (I) upon return to the Academy he passes for his 3^rd. mates tickers on 17 November 1905 and is then dismissed from the Academy on 24 November with a very good attest for skills, behavior and time at sea.

His brother Simon joined the Academy on 27 August 1906 and also went to sea with the Holland America Line as cadet on the ss Potsdam. He as still at sea in 1922 but did not stay with HAL under making command.

Anton Dekema returned to Holland America and to his first ships the ss Rijndam (I). Then rotates over the fleet until in 1907 he is assigned to the Dutch Royal Navy for training. Holland America actively encouraged officers to sign up for the RNR (KMR in Dutch) so that they would have captains to sail the mail ships and keep their own people in command in case ships would be requisitioned for war service.

By 1912 he has been promoted to Chief Officer and then on 21 march 1912 he marries in New York, Hilda Froelich (born 26 April 1891 at Winningen Germany. Daughter of  Juliën Froelich en Anna Schneider.

They settle in The Hague and eventually there is a daughter and a son

Margerita Mildred – (09.Jan.1913 at Rotterdam) (Who later marries K F C P Hofker)

Harold – (04 June.1915 at Rotterdam)

——————MORE BIO STIIL COMING.

 

(a) B.Kruidhof.

(b) “Stamboeken” & “Mouvement boeken” HAL Archive as held at the Municipal archives in Rotterdam

(c) Capt. Albert Schoonderbeek Collection.

Sailing List: (b)

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

22 Aug. 1904      Cadet                                  Rijndam                              10,–

10 Dec. 1904      Cadet                                  Sloterdijk                            10,–

17 Mar. 1905      Cadet                                  Rijndam                               15,–

11 Sep.  1905      Temporary dismissed to go to school for study 3^rd mate. Passed on 17 Nov. 1905

11 Dec. 1905      4^th. Officer                         Rijndam                              20,–

17 Jan.  1906      4^th. Officer                         Amsteldijk                          30,–

11 Jul.    1906      4^th. Officer                         Noordam                            30,–

03 Oct.  1906      4^th. Officer                         Nieuw Amsterdam           30,–

30 Jan. 1907      4^th. Officer                         Statendam                         30,–

09 Mar. 1907      4^th. Officer                         Noordam                            30,–

21 Mar. 1907      4^th. Officer                         Rijndam                              30,–

04 Jun.  1907      4^th. Officer                         Statendam                         30,–      Joined in NY

06 Jul.    1907      Appointed to Ensign extraordinary of the Royal Navy Reserve.

07 Sep. 1907      Temporary dismissed

24 Sep. 1907      4^th. Officer                         Potsdam                             30,–

05 Dec. 1907      Temporary dismissed for the Royal Navy Reserve.

03 Jan. 1908       For a 3 month exercise for the Navy reserve placed on board HM instruction vessel Atjeh at Willemsoord.

06 Apr. 1908      3^rd officer                           Nieuw Amsterdam           40,–

20 Dec. 1908      Temporary dismissed to go to school for 2^nd mates license. Passed 10 Mar. 1909.

12 Mar. 1909      3^rd. officer                          Nieuw Amsterdam           50,–

16 Apr. 1909      2^nd officer                           Nieuw Amsterdam           60,–

12 Nov. 1909      2^nd officer                           Rijndam                              60,–

20 Jan.  1910      2^nd Officer                          Statendam                         70,–

07 Mar. 1910      2^nd Officer                          Potsdam                             70,–

25 Dec. 1910      Temporary dismissed for 6 month exercise as Ensign.

01 Jan. 1911      wage review                                                                   120,–

10 Jun.  1911      2^nd Officer                          Noordam                            120,–

18 Aug. 1911      wage increase                                                                130,–

23 Sep. 1911      Temporary dismissed to go to school for 1^st mates license. Passed  8 Dec. 1911

14 Dec. 1911      2^nd Officer         Potsdam                             130,–

13 Apr. 1912      promoted to chief officer                                            140,–

13 Apr.  1912      Chief Officer                      Andijk                                  140,–

21 Apr. 1913      Wage increase                                                               150,–

29 Dec. 1913      Wage increase                                                               160,-

16 Jun. 1914      Temporary dismissed for the Royal Navy reserve.

03 Dec.   1914      wage increase to                                                           175,–

26 Mar. 1915      wage increase                                                                190,–

08 may 1915       Act. Captain                       Soestdijk                             ???

20 Aug. 1915      Wage increase                                                               200,–

20 Aug. 1915      Chief Officer                      Noordam                            200,-

12 Jan. 1917      Temporary ashore

27 Jan. 1917      Act. Captain                       Zaandijk                              250,–

The ss Zaandijk was on 22 Feb. 1917 at 06.25 while approx. 27 miles to the West of Bischops Rock, torpedoed by a German Submarine, Rescued by the patrol Trawler  “White Friar” and on 24 Feb.        landed at Penzance. On 28 April arrived home with the ss Amsteldijk

02 May.1917      Act. Captain                       Gorredijk                            250,–

1919      some time ashore.

15 Jul.    1919      Honorable discharge from the RNR.

01 Jan. 1920      Wage increase                                                               330,–

20 May.1920      Captain                               Warzawa                            600,–

Per Rotterdam to New York (ex Madison)

21 Jul.1920          Temporary ashore.

01 Oct. 1920      Captain                               Sommelsdijk                      650,–    per Nieuw Amsterdam

01 Jan.1920      wage increase starting:                                                650,–

??? Mar. 1921    Captain                               Veendijk                              650,–    at Sabang

16 Oct. 1921      Wage decrease                                                              585,–

24 Mar. 1922      Temporary ashore returns with the ss Rijndam

24Mar. 1924      Wage decrease                                                              560,–

03 May. 1922     Captain                               Stadsdijk                             560,–

01 Aug. 1923      Temporary ashore.

24 Nov. 1923      Captain                               Holland Britisch India Line   Kerk ships ??

Note: most likely to Koudekerk as the dates fits in the schedule there.

08 May.1924      Captain                               Grootendijk                        560,–

16 Jun.  1924      Captain                               Gaasterdijk                         560,–

08 Dec. 1924      Captain                Bilderdijk                            560,–

08 Apr.  1925      Captain                               Beemsterdijk                     560,–

16 May.1925      Wins the silver medal of the Royal Dutch Metrological institute

10 Aug. 1925      Temporary ashore

25 Aug. 1925      with the ss Rijndam to New York with destination ss  Stadsdijk

10 Sep.  1925      Captain                               Stadsdijk                             560,–    at New York.

08 Mar. 1926      Captain                               Vechtdijk                            560,–

27 Aug. 1926      Captain                               Sommelsdijk                      560        In the States

01 Apr.  1927      Wage increase                                                               580,–

30 Jul.    1928      Temporary ashore                                                         580,-

27 Aug. 1928      Captain                               Sommelsdijk                      580,–

20 Dec. 1928      Temporary ashore                                                         580,-

27 Dec. 1928      Captain                Drechtdijk                           580,–

01 Jan. 1929      Wage increase                                                               600,–

22 Apr.  1929      Temporary ashore                                                         600,–

24 May.1929      Captain                               Vechtdijk                            600,–

09 Feb.1930        Temporary ashore                                                         600,-      due to illness nose operation,

01 Jan.  1930      wage increase                                                                620,–

06 Mar. 1930      Captain                               Kinderdijk                           620,–    Sails in 3 years (until 16 mar  1931  2 years and 4 months

23 Mar.1931       Captain                               ashore                                 620,–

25 Aug. 1931      Captain                               Edam                                   620,–

09 Jan. 1932      Wage decrease                                                              496,–

21 Jan. 1932      Temporary ashore                                                          496,–

04 Feb. 1932      put on 70% standby money

22 Feb.  1932      Captain                               Dinteldijk                            496,-

01 Nov. 1932      Wage decrease                                                              446,–

28 Jun. 1933       Wage decreased with 5% according to circulaire 929 date 27 June 1933

31 Jul.  1933      Captain                               Dinteldijk                            446,–

14 Dec.  1933      Temporary ashore 70%                                                446,–

28 Dec. 1933      Wage decreased                                        401,40

Wage decreased with 5% according to circulaire 929: 27 June 1933

10 Jan.  1934      Captain                               Dinteldijk                            401.40

01 Oct. 1934      wage decreased                                                            385,50

10 Aug. 1935      Temporary ashore                                                         385,50 regular leave

03 Sep. 1935      Captain                               Dinteldijk                            385,50

16 Sep.  1935      Temporary ashore                                                         385,50   regular leave

14 Oct. 1935      Captain                               Dinteldijk                            385,50

01 Mar. 1936      due to new wage regulation

Captains wage increased                                             390,–

see circulaire to accounting date                18 April 1936

01 Oct. 1937      new regulations                                                             440,–

11 Jan. 1938       Captain                               Damsterdijk                    Unknown.

28 Sep. 1938       Captain                               Noordam                          Unknown.

26 Aug. 1941      Captain                               Zaandam                            Unknown

13 Jan. 1942       Captain                               Volendam                           Unknown

21 Jun. 1943       Captain                               Nieuw Amsterdam           Unknown

27 Apr. 1945       Captain                              Delftdyk                             Unknown

(Unknown if this was in command or as  passenger going home for leave)

17 Jul. 1945          Captain                Nieuw Amsterdam                          Unknown

10 Oct. 1945       Captain                Nieuw Amsterdam                          Unknown

12 Jan. 1946       Captain                Promoted to Commodore

19 Nov.1947       Goes ashore to become Nautical Inspector for Holland America Line

01 Jan. 1952        Retires from the company.

Last Updated:  31 Oct. 2023