Hein's troubled second West India expedition

On his second expedition in 1626-1627, Hein held the titles of admiral and captain-general, with broad authority over Dutch military activities in the Americas. He remained formally subordinate to a higher commander whose distant location left him considerable practical independence. His flagship Amsterdam ran aground during an attack on roughly twenty-six Portuguese merchant vessels, and Hein was wounded. The Dutch nevertheless captured ships and took away cargo. The expedition is judged only partly successful, prompting a critical comparison between the West India Company's privateering activity and its difficulty retaining territory.