On 28 October 1628 the VOC Indiamen ship BATAVIA sailed from Texel in the Netherlands on her maiden journey to Batavia (modern day Jakarta) in the Dutch Colonies in Indonesia. She was accompanied by seven other ships of various sizes. These included the BUREN (a warship), the DORDRECHT, GALIASSE and S-GRAVENHAGE (Retour ships), the ASSENDELFT and the SARDAM (storeships) and a small yacht the KLEINE DAVID. In command of the BATAVIA was Francisco Pelsaert a senior merchant. The Company policy of appointing a merchant command of the Flagship did not find favour with ship's Skipper Ariaen Jacobsz. The two men were old enemies from a previous journey from the Indies to Holland.

Also aboard the ship was a young Lady "Lucretia van der Meylen" who was travelling to meet her husband in Batavia. The Skipper apparently tried to seduce this lady but she refused him and instead became a close friend of the Commodore. The Skipper having failed to win the lady took up with the lady's maid Zwaantie Hendrix with greater success.

The journey to disaster was to take eight months. Bad weather helped split the convoy up early and only the BATAVIA, BUREN and ASSENDELFT reached the Cape of Good Hope together on 14 April 1629. The Skipper took the opportunity to go on a wild and violent drinking binge with Jeronimus Cornelius his (now) companion and Zwaantie Hendrix his new girlfriend (who refused the Skipper nothing). Jacobsz ended up in a fight aboard the BUREN and official complaints were lodged. The Skipper was publicly dressed down by Pelsaert which enraged Jacobsz even more.

It was soon after this event that Cornelius was supposed to have suggested mutiny to the Skipper. With the help of key ship personnel it would be possible to commandeer the ship, kill the soldiers, throw Pelsaert overboard and take all the treasure. The BATAVIA could then be used to prey on other VOC ships before retiring to some safe haven in the Indies. The idea was obviously attractive to the ego damaged Skipper. The ship carried a kings ransom in various treasures and was one of the most heavily armed ships of its time. In a time where material possessions were much more important than human life the Skipper was probably easy to convince.

Meeting in secret the Mutineers laid their plans carefully. They arranged to have Lucretia Van der Meylen assaulted in a calculated taunt. The unfortunate woman was able to identify one of her attackers, Jan Evertz, by his voice and Pelsaert intended to have the man hanged as soon as they sighted the coast of the "Unknown land". Pelsaert did not realise that an attempt to punish Evertz was to be the signal for the mutiny to begin. Since the mutiny probably involved the Skipper, the undermerchant, a lance corporal and some of his soldiers and some of the Cadets (junior officers) it most certainly would have succeeded.

Before the mutiny could take place the BATAVIA ran aground on the Houtman Abrolhos. On 4 June 1629 the BATAVIA became wrecked on the Abrolhos Islands some 40 miles of the coast of Western Australia; it was a tragic end to her maiden voyage. Most of the passengers and crew were off-loaded onto a nearby island later known as Batavia's Graveyard. The Commodore (Francesco Pelsaert) and the Skipper (Ariaen Jacobsz) some 30 others (mostly sailors) and most of the food and water was landed on a smaller island. Pelsaert and Jacobsz knew they were in dire straights and after much deliberation loaded the two ships boats and set sail for BATAVIA. They left a note for the other survivors who felt so betrayed by this desertion they named the smaller island "Traitor's Island", a name it still bears to this day.

The people left behind were in a dreadful situation and some died of thirst in the first week before some rain helped replenish supplies of water. After the initial problems of survival had been dealt with the unfortunate survivors were then to play a part in one of the most horrible tales of mutiny and murder ever told. The Undermerchant Jeronimus Cornelius, the most senior company man amongst the survivors, turned out to be a psychotic killer with an uncanny ability to control others with weaker personalities.

Soon the undermerchant had sent one group of soldiers in search of water to another island and left them, hoping they would die. He then split the remaining survivors amongst some of the closer islands, none of which had any water. It was then he revealed himself and the killings began. With a loyal band of murderous young men drawn from the ship's Junior officers, soldiery, and even cabin boys, Cornelius began to systematically kill anyone he believed would be a problem to his reign of terror, or a burden on the limited resources. He took the unwilling Lucretia as his concubine although she only submitted after not so veiled threats of death.

The second attack came within a week with the mutineers turning out in full force with Jeronimus along to watch. Three boatloads of mutineers attacked the shore of the defenders island. Wiebbe's men advanced knee deep into the water and held the mutineers off. Two muskets had been brought but they failed to fire and the mutineers were taunted by the defenders.

On 1 September the mutineers sent the Predicant ashore to negotiate peace with the defenders. Two musketeers amongst the attackers attempted to fire at the taunting defenders but the guns did not work. Jeronimus decided to offer wine and blankets in exchange for a small boat previously brought to the island by an escapee. Jeronimus' suggestions were relayed to Hayes via the Predicant and the negotiations were set for the next day.

On 2 September, Jeronimus and five of his principal mutineers brought the trade goods to the island and attempted to bribe the French soldiers. Hayes had suspected treachery and his men brutally captured Jeronimus Cornelius and the other five men. Jacop Pietersz managed to escape but Coenraat van Huyssen, David Zeevanck, Gysbert van Welderen and Cornelisz Pietersz were killed.

On 16 September the rescue yacht SARDAM had sighted the islands and was making her way through the treacherous reefs. The very next day saw the final assault on Wiebbe's island. This time the mutineers attacked with operating muskets and four defenders were wounded (one of whom died later).
The attackers were still driven back (or retreated) and it was then the rescue ship was sighted.

On 17 September 1629 the last battle between the mutineers and Hayes men was in full swing when the rescue ship SARDAM appeared on the horizon. Hayes and some of his men seized the opportunity to leave the battle and taking a small home-made boat they were able to warn the rescuers of the mutiny and murders. The Commodore of the rescue ship was none other than Francesco Pelsaert who had made it to Batavia in the ships boat.

In short time the mutineers were all rounded up, questioned and tied. The ensuing trial was extensive, thorough and quite well documented in Pelsaert's own journal. Some mutineers needed to be put to the torture to confess but most seemed only too willing to tell the rescuers what they had done. Some like Cornelius were hanged on one of the islands, two were marooned on the coast of West Australia and the rest were taken back to Batavia where most of them were executed. Over 120 survivors were killed by Cornelius' men during his brief reign of terror.
Going through a copy of Pelsaert's journal the next list of all the bad guys, the crimes they supposedly committed and what actually happened to them can be made:

THE MUTINEERS

The mutineers included some of the most powerful men aboard the BATAVIA. In order for any mutiny to succeed it must include men who can not only manage the ship but most importantly navigate. In the case of the BATAVIA not only was the Skipper implicated in the plot but many of the Cadets as well. I think that there is little doubt that had the ship not been wrecked the mutiny would have been terribly successful.
Below is a list of Mutineers and some of the specific crimes that they were supposed to have committed.

Jeronimus Cornelisz: Undermerchant and Chemist from Haarlem. The most senior Company man after the Skipper and Pelsaert. Leader of the Mutiny. He is captured by Wiebbe Haye's men and finally hanged on Seal Island, on the morning of 2 October after having both hands cut off.
Coenraat van Huyssen: Cadet and later councillor to Cornelisz. Principal mutineer and "marries" the Predicant's daughter Judith. He is killed by Wiebbe Haye's men on 2 September.
Davidt Zeevanck: Clerk/Assistant and later councillor to Cornelisz. Principal mutineer. He is killed by Wiebbe Haye's men on 2 September.
Jacop Pietersz: Lance Corporal and later councillor to Cornelisz. Called Cosyn (windowframe) and Stounhouwer (stonecutter) by others he was the senior ranking soldier after the disappearance of the Corporal. Helps kill Predicant's family. Leads the first two attacks on Wiebbe Haye's. Is captured but escapes when the others are killed on 2 September. Taken back to Batavia where he is convicted as a mutineer and broken from "under and upwards" on the wheel.
Gysbert Bastiaensz: Predicant whose wife, three sons and two daughters are killed by the mutineers. He signs the oath of 20 August certainly to save his life and that of his remaining daughter Judith. After the capture of Cornelisz he remains with Wiebbe's men who treat him well.
Lenert Michielsz: Cadet. About 21 years old and killed or helped kill 12 people. Misbehaved with married women and kept Annie Bosschietsters (wife of Jan Castersz) as concubine. Credited with the killing of Andries de Vries. Helps kill Predicant's family. Helps kill Passchier van der Enden, Jacop Heyndricksz and a sick boy. His right hand is cut off before hanging on 2 October.
Mattys Beer: Soldier. About 21 years old and confessed to have killed or help kill 9 people and kept a married woman (Susan Fredericks) as his concubine. Cuts the head off Coen Aldertsz to test its sharpness. His right hand was cut off before being hanged on 2 October.
Jan Hendricx: Soldier. 24 years old. Confesses to killing (or helped kill) 17 or 18 people. Known to have specifically killed Denys and another man Stoffel Stoffelsz. Helped kill Andries de Vries. Helped kill the Predicants family. Helped kill van der Enden, Jacop Heyndricksz and a sick boy. His right hand was cut off before hanging on 2 October.
Allert Jansz: Gunner/Musketeer. 24 years old and confessed to killing Andries de Bruyn (cabin boy), helped kill Jan Pinten (an Englishman) and had tried to kill Jansz the barber's assistant but his blunt sword only gashed the mans shoulder before he escaped in the night to Wiebbe Hayes' Island. His right hand was cut off before hanging on 2 October.
Rutger Fredericxsz: Locksmith. 23 years old Confessed to helping drown Jacob Groenewal. He wounded Paulus Barenttsz with two sword cuts before killing Claes Harmansz. He helped in the killing of Andries de Vries. He was hanged without losing a hand on 2 October.
Jan Pelgrom de Bye: Cabin Boy. 18 years old. Murdered a boy on Seal Island. Helped kill the woman Janneken Gijssen and Andries Jansz. Insisted he be allowed to cut the head off Coen Aldertsz and cried when Mattys Beer was given the honour. Misbehaved with married women (Susan and Catherine Fredericks and Annie Bosschietsters). Was sentenced to hang without his hand being cut off but after pleading for mercy he was marooned on the Australian coast.
Andries Jonas: Soldier about 40 years old. Confessed to have thrust a pike through the throat of Paulus Barentsz when the man was drowning. He cut the throat of the pregnant woman May Soets and helped to kill Jannie Gist and Jan van Hummel. He helped to kill the Predicant's family. He was hanged on 2 October without losing a hand.
Wouter Looes: Soldier who takes part in the killing of the predicants family and is given command of the mutineers upon the capture of Jeronimus. He was to be taken to BATAVIA to have his guilt further investigated but acts of kindness towards Judith and Lucretia moved Pelsaert to land him on the Australian coast with Pelgrom.
Jacop Heylwech: Cadet. Also called Hans Jacobsz. Taken to Batavia to further investigate his guilt where he was executed.
Daniel Cornelissen: Cadet. Carried a message to Wiebbe Hayes and was taken prisoner. He was taken to Batavia to further investigate his guilt and executed after his right hand was cut off.
Andries Liebent: Cadet. Helped kill the Predicant's family and was taken to Batavia to further investigate his guilt.
Hans Frederick: Soldier. Taken to Batavia to further investigate his guilt.
Jeurian Jansz: Sailor. Possibly also called Cornelisz Janz. According to Jeronimus, Jansz was one of the least guilty of the mutineers. He was taken to BATAVIA to further investigate his guilt.
Jan Selyns: Cooper. According to Jeronimus one of the least guilty of the mutineers. Taken to Batavia to further investigate his guilt.
Rogier Decker: Kills Hendrick Janz after Jeronimus gives him wine and a dagger. He was taken to Batavia to further investigate his guilt where he was whipped or executed.
Gysbert van Welderen: Cadet. Killed on Wiebbe Hayes island on 2 September.
Cornelis Pietersz of Utrech: Soldier. Cut the throat of Hendrick Claesz in front of Jeronimus. He was killed on Wiebbe Hayes island on 2 September.
Salomon Deschamps: Undermerchant. Forced to strangle an infant poisoned by Jeronimus. He was Keel hauled three times and given 100 lashes on the trip back to Batavia where he was then executed.
Lucas Gillisz: Cadet. Accused by Jeronimus of helping kill Passchier van der Enden, Jacop Hendricksz and a sick boy. Lucas claimed that Jan Hendricks had done the killing. He was executed at Batavia.
Abraham Gerritsz: Boy. Executed or whipped at Batavia.
Jaques Pilman: Soldier. According to Jeronimus one of the least guilty of the mutineers.
Abraham Jansz: Gunner/Musketeer. According to Jeronimus one of the least guilty of the mutineers.
Reynder Hendricx: Steward. According to Jeronimus one of the least guilty of the mutineers.
Hans Hardens: Soldier
Olivier van Welderen: Cadet
Isbrant Isbrantsz: Assistant
Jan Egbertsz: Carpenter
Hendrick Jaspersz: Soldier
Jellis Phillipsen: Soldier
Tweis Jansz: Carpenter
Gerrit Hass: Sailor
Claas Harmansz: Youngster
Gerrit Willemsz: Sailor
Six of the minor mutineers were given assorted corporal and prison punishments.

For the VOC the loss of the BATAVIA was a political and financial disaster. In the years that followed the events were not forgotten, a book was published entitled 'Ongeluckige Voyagie van't schip BATAVIA' and it was through this and Pelsaert's Journal that the wreck was finally rediscovered. In 1840, Stokes and Wickham visited the Abrolhos in HMS BEAGLE, as part of an early survey of the Western Australian coast. They erroneously identified the very southern end of the Abrolhos, as the site where the BATAVIA was lost. For many years the shipwreck was thought to lie in the Pelsaert Group. In the 1950's, Western Australian historian, Henrietta Drake-Brockman published a book 'Voyage to Disaster', which included a translation of Pelsaert's Journal (by E.D. Drok). Drake-Brockman suggested that the wreck site was to the north, in the Wallabi Group. Subsequently, journalist Hugh Edwards searched unsuccessfully for the site. In 1963, a crayfisherman, Dave Johnson took two Geraldton divers, Max and Graham Cramer and Greg Allen to the wreck site. They were the first people to dive on the site. Following the discovery of the wreck site in 1963, an expedition was made to the BATAVIA. Many items were recovered and Edwards published an account of this in 'Islands of Angry Ghosts'.

Between 1972 and 1976 the Department of Maritime Archaeology conducted a series of excavations of the BATAVIA. The artefacts from these excavations were treated by the Museum Conservation Laboratory and may now be seen in the Maritime Museum in Fremantle and in the Geraldton Region Museum. During the excavation, the part of the hull of the vessel was uncovered. This was carefully recorded and raised. After a number of years of treatment by the Conservation Laboratory, the remains were rebuilt in the Maritime Museum. This provides the centrepiece for the Maritime Museum display. The section is the stern quarter of the port side of the ship up to the top of the first gun-deck and includes the transom and stern-post. The vessel was built in an unusual manner with a double layer of planking and constructed by building the vessel up from the keel with planks and later adding the ribs. Many unusual and interesting artefacts were recovered from the site. These include a prefabricated portico, ornate silverware, ceramics and bricks, all of which were part of the 'paying' ballast of the vessel.

The silver coins were the main cargo; this was used by the VOC to pay for their trade in the Indies. The coins from the BATAVIA are mainly Rijksdaalders from the Netherlands together with German thalers. The word thaler is the origin of the modern word 'dollar'. Some of the German coins were quite old, the oldest dated from 1542, suggesting that the coins were collected as bullion. It is known that Pelsaert recovered eight of the ten chests that the BATAVIA carried, the Museum has recovered about 7.700 coins 80% of which are in poor condition and represent the main contents of the missing two chests. During the excavation of the site, 137 shaped sandstone blocks were raised from the wreck site. On return to Fremantle and after conservation, work started on identification of their significance on board the ship. It became obvious that the blocks made up a portal or portico facade. Research in the archives identified it as destined for the Waterport of the Castle at Batavia.

An engraving by Pieter van den Broecke in 1629 at BATAVIA shows the Castle, with scaffolding in place and the Waterport unfinished. Van den Broecke even recorded in his journal the arrival of Pelsaert in the BATAVIA's boat. Many people wonder why there are 17th century European shipwrecks on the Western Australian coast. The answer is spice. In the 16th and 17th century, Europe had an almost insatiable need for spice. Large quantities were brought to Europe by sea in the 16th century by the Portuguese. By the early 17th century, companies formed by the English and the Dutch were trading in competition with each other and with the Portuguese.

The route the VOC took to the East Indies across the Indian Ocean was long, unhealthy and slow. In 1611, the VOC pioneered a new route: ships sailed south from the Cape of Good Hope, then east and finally turned north to BATAVIA. The route was much faster and more healthy, but passed close to the mythical and undiscovered Terra Australis Incognita. This land was finally sighted in 1616 and disasters soon followed.

Ironically it was an English ship in 1622, following the Dutch route, that was first to be wrecked. The BATAVIA met the same fate in 1629, then the VERGULDE DRAECK (1656), ZUYTDORP (1712) and ZEEWIJK (1727). Only one English and four Dutch VOC ships are known to be lost on the Western Australian coast and they have all been found!

Bibliography and Sources:

Bruijn, J.R., Gaastra, F.S., Schöffer, I. Dutch-Asiatic Shipping In The 17th and 18th Centuries (3 Vols). The Hague, 1979, 1987

Drake-Brockman, H. Voyage to disaster. Sydney, 1963

Edwards, Hugh. Islands of angry ghosts. Sydney, 1966

Green, Jeremy N. The VOC ship Batavia wrecked in 1629 on the Houtman Abrolhos, Western Australia. IJNA, 1975

Wilson, S.J. Doits to Ducatoons. The Coins of the Dutch East India Company Ship Batavia Lost on the Western Australian Coast 1629. Perth, 1989

Roeper, Vibeke., Parthesius, Robert., Wagenaar, Lodewijk. De Batavia te Water. Amsterdam, 1995

Green, Jeremy., Stanbury, Myra., Gaastra, Femme. The ANCODS Colloquium. Papers presented at the Australian-Netherlands Colloquium on Maritime Archaeology and Maritime History. Fremantle, 1998

Sigmond, J.P., Zuiderbaan, L.H. Nederlanders ontdekken Australië. Scheepsarcheologische vondsten op het Zuidland. Bussum, 1976

Mollema, J.C. De Nederlandsche vlag op de wereldzeeën. De vlag in sjouw. Schipbreuk, muiterij en zeeroof. Amsterdam.

Wilson, Derek. The World Atlas of Treasure. London, 1981

Muckelroy, Keith. Archaeology under Water. An Atlas of the World's Submerged Sites. New York, 1980

Godard, Philippe. The first and last voyage of the Batavia. Perth, 1993