“What a dramatic tale,” I begin. The story of shipwrecks along the Australian coast is a testament to maritime history. Today, we are here to explore the story of one such wreck. This is the wreck of the Amsterdam V.
The Amsterdam V is a poignant reminder of the perils faced by early explorers and traders. Most of Dutch history in Australia is linked to explorers charting the country to the north, west and south. Shipwrecks from the Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie add another level to the story. The VOC was the first international corporation. It was established in 1602 to trade with the East Indies. The company had full support of the Dutch Government.
Initially, VOC ships followed the African and Asian coast lines to reach the East Indies. In 1611, Hendrik Brouwer discovered a quicker route. Sailing from Europe to the East Indies was much faster if the Roaring Forties were used.
The first documented European sighting of Australia was in 1606. Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon aboard the Duyfken landed in late February. Janszoon charted the Australian coast and met with Aboriginal people.
In 1616, Dirk Hartog reached land at Shark Bay. This is now called Dirk Hartog Island. Hartog continued sailing north. He made nautical charts up to about 22° latitude south. He called Australia T Landt van d’Eendracht. This was shortened to Eendrachtsland. Abel Tasman later named the land New Holland in 1644.
Australia’s oldest European maritime relic is a Dutch pewter dish. It was nailed to a timber post on Dirk Hartog Island 400 years ago. The crew of the Eendracht left it to record their visit to the ‘South Land’ on 25 October 1616.
In 1619, Frederik de Houtman sighted land near present-day Perth. They called it d’Edelsland. In 1622, the Leeuwin discovered and mapped the southwest corner of Australia. It was the seventh European ship to sight the continent. The land discovered by Leeuwin was recorded in a 1627 chart. The south-west corner of Australia was referred to as ‘t Landt van de Leeuwin. This was later shortened to Leeuwin’s Land. The name Leeuwin survives in Cape Leeuwin. Matthew Flinders named it in December 1801.
The Gulden Zeepaert sailed from the Netherlands in 1626. In 1627, the vessel encountered the Southland near Cape Leeuwin. They reached St Francis and St Pieter Islands. The region became known as Nuyts Land.
The Batavia was wrecked on the Houtman Abrolhos in 1629. Commander Francisco Pelsaert left to search for water. A mutiny occurred during his absence. In October, Wiebbe Hayes and his men captured mutineer Jeronimus Cornelisz. Pelsaert returned and tried Cornelisz.
In 1642, Abel Tasman sighted the west coast of Tasmania. He named it Van Diemen’s Land. Tasman also sighted the South Island of New Zealand. He named it Staten Landt.
On the night of 28 April 1656, the Vergulde Draeck struck a reef. Of the 193 crew, 118 perished.
In 1696, Willem de Vlamingh landed on Rottnest Island. Thinking quokkas were large rats, he named it ‘t Eylandt ‘t Rottenest. On 10 January 1697, he ventured up the Swan River. They saw black swans. De Vlamingh named the river Zwaanenrivier.
On 1 August 1711, the Zuytdorp left the Netherlands. It never arrived at its destination. The wreck site was identified on the Western Australian coast.
In 1727, the Zeewijk crashed into Half Moon Reef. The crew constructed a vessel to carry them to Batavia. Launched in 1728, the Sloepie was the first European ship built in Australia.
In 1790, the Dutch vessel Waaksamheijd arrived at Port Jackson. It ensured the survival of the fledgling colony.
The wreck of the Amsterdam V is a reminder of the many ships. These ships braved treacherous seas. They connected distant lands. It serves as a silent witness to the ambition, courage and sometimes tragic fate. These ships sailed in the pursuit of trade and exploration that shaped our world.
Pause for a moment. Think about the people who sailed on these ships. Consider the lives they led and the hardships they endured. The story of the Amsterdam V is a story of human endeavor and resilience. It echoes through time.