It's quite obvious probably to most of you, but I'm gonna say it anyways. You have reached the homepage of the now returned Flying Dutchman:-)
After mysteriously vanishing from the game over 300 turns ago I found myself wondering about To Boldly Go and thought about playing again now I had a little bit more time to spare. After taking a quick peek I noticed, to my big suprise, the Flying Dutchman was still there floating around at the Holiday Planet. Which left me with no other option then once again taking the helm and returning as it's captain.
Why the Flying Dutchman? Two reasons really for using that name. The first reason being the fact that I'm dutch myself and a spaceship is supposed to be flying through space so you could say that makes me a flying dutchman. The second reason is legend of the famous ghost-ship of Dutch origin. Some people think it's the name of the ship, but some also say the name Flying Dutchman refers to the ship's captain Hendrick Van Der Decken. There are several variations of the legend but most are fairly similar and by reading one you get the basic idea. So here is one of the more common variations:
The Captain, a man of evil repute, named Henrik van der Decken was pleased. The trip to the Far East had been highly successful and at last, they were on their way home to Holland. As the ship approached the tip of Africa, the captain thought that he should make a suggestion to the Dutch East India Company (his employers) to start a settlement at the Cape on the tip of Africa, thereby providing a welcome respite to ships at sea.
He was so deep in thought that he failed to notice the dark clouds looming and only when he heard the lookout scream out in terror, did he realise that they had sailed straight into a fierce storm. The captain and his crew battled for hours to get out of the storm and at one stage it looked like they would make it. Then they heard a sickening crunch - the ship had hit treacherous rocks and began to sink. As the ship plunged downwards, Captain van der Decken knew that death was approaching. He was not ready to die and screamed out a curse: "I WILL round this Cape even if I have to keep sailing until doomsday! God, himself, cannot keep me from rounding this cape..."
So, even today whenever a storm brews off the Cape of Good Hope, if you look into the eye of the storm, you will be able to see the ship and it's captain - The Flying Dutchman. Don't look too carefully, for the old folk claim that whoever sights the ship will be cursed aswell.
Just to reassure people, although my ship carries the same name, it's not he same ship. People who meet me will not be cursed in anyway:-) If you want to read more about the legend of the Flying Dutchman just browse the net or look at these page:
Anyways back to my ship and TBG. The Flying Dutchman left drydock, as so many of you nicely put it, on turn 333. I was dragged into this game by the captain of the FSP Stargazer who I knew from a different game we were both playing at that time. Since it was FSP Stargazer who got me into this game and helped me out with my first steps it seemed only logical to me to join the FSP. If you wanna know more about the FSP visit them at The FSP Homepage
Most of my active time, before I vanished, I've been a Chosen of the Merciful One. I was chosen by the Merciful One's Prophet, who at that time was Pequod, probably the longest serving Prophet ever, you can still visit his page at Pequod
I left the FSP after being a member for over 850+ turns. I wanted a little change and there were a few things I didn't agree with anymore. I wasn't sure what direction to go, but before I really found out I vanished from TBG, mostly due to lack of time and also a little bit lack of interest. But now I have returned and again must discover what I'm going to do to make the TBG universe an interesting place for me and with a little luck maybe also for others...
My first intentions are still friendly, unless I see reasons not to be, and if they are not I will let you know. Even though I tend to forget to do so myself from time to time, mostly due to of lack of time or forgetfullness, I always appreciate a friendly hail and I'm usually open for trade suggestions either information or modules. To get in touch with me, hail me at
That's it for now, I'm off to find out what has changed and who is still out there. For now I wish you all Happy Travels and I hope to see you soon.
Flying Dutchman
