There are no contemporary detailed descriptions of Heemskerck. Tasman's journal includes a few simple sketches by artist Isaac Gilsemans, who accompanied the voyage, and a handful of written details about the ship's characteristics, but much of the ship's design must be inferred from the standards promulgated by the VOC to its shipbuilders, and information on other ships of her type. Since every ship of this era was hand-built and subject to ad hoc repairs in distant ports, there is no assurance that Heemskerck complied with VOC standards.
