The Batavia - 1628

The Dutch East Indiaman Batavia was the 500-tonne, 59 metre long and 10 metre wide flagship of a convoy under the command of Francois Pelsaert, bound for the Verenidge Oostindische Compagnie (VOC), the United Dutch East India Company.  It wrecked in 1629 on Morning Reef in the Wallibi Group of the Albrolhos Islands, off the West Australian coast of the Southland (Australia), on its maiden voyage.  Most of the ship's crew and passengers were able to reach the nearby islands.  The Batavia was transporting goods and supplies, including in Pelsaert's cabin, twelve chests of silver coins and jewels.  On a reconnaisance voyage to find a source of water supply, Pelsaert and some of his crew headed towards Batavia (Jakarta).  They were found by the yacht Sardam.  Later, Pelsaert set out on the Sardam to return to the Batavia to recover its treasure, but Cornelisz, the ship's undermerchant, had seized the treasure and killed 125 of the wreck survivors.  Cornelisz, as well as several of his mutineers, died hanged by Pelsaert, while a couple of mutineers escaped, unrecovered.

Batavia was also the old name for Indonesia's capital, Jakarta.  Today, part of the Batavia wreckage lies preserved for all to see in the Maritime Museum, in Western Australia, with some remains (including the sandstone portico intended for a castle at Batavia) displayed at the Geraldton Maritime Museum. 

In 1985, it took 10 years to build a life-size, true replica of the Batavia where everything works, including the guns.  The ship is built mainly of European oak, except for the pinewood mast, decking and yards.