Piet Heyn learned the "art" of privateering during the years
following the end of the twelve-year treaty (1621) with
Habsburg, when many Dutch privateers were active against the
privateers that operated from the Belgian city of Duinkerken.
Heyn was amongst the Captains who distinguished themselves in
that continuing struggle. In 1623 he became Vice-Admiral in the
service of the West Indies Company (WIC). One of the three main
activities of the WIC was privateering, especially in the area
of the West-Indies. Piet Heyn sailed with the first fleet of the
WIC that was active in a privateering capacity and which
consisted of 26 ships. They were despatched to Bahia (San
Salvador) on the coast of Brasil in December 1623. The city was
heavily bombarded for an entire day without much effect. Heyn
sent 60 men in small ships to capture the ships that were moored
in the harbour of Bahia. After capturing these ships a further
14 ships were sent, under the direct command of Heyn, to attack
the walled city itself. When part