Vergulde Draeck

About

Vergulde Draeck (pronounced [vɛrˈɣʏldə ˈdraːk]), also spelled Vergulde Draak and Vergulde Draek (meaning Gilt Dragon), was a 38.78-metre (127.2 ft), 260 ton jacht ('yacht') bought in 1653 by the Dutch East India Company (Dutch: Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie, commonly abbreviated to VOC). The ship was lost off the coast of Western Australia in 1656, with a minority of her crew reaching shore, and only seven subsequently reaching civilization. The wreck was the first example of a VOC ship to be discovered off the coast of Australia. Archaeological investigations were started in 1972, with further work being done in 1981 and 1983. Though there is very little assembled hull structure remaining, what has been studied suggests that there was only one skin of structural hull planking, unlike the larger Indiamen, which usually had two layers. (See Batavia's construction details.) The sacrificial external layer of pine planking (a protection from teredo worm) shows marks from the wind-powered sawmill which cut them, providing evidence of the industrialisation of ship-building in the Netherlands.

Vergulde Draeck was a ship purchased by the Amsterdam Chamber of the Dutch East India Company in 1653. It is likely that she was not a new ship when bought. On 4 October 1655, she departed Texel on her second voyage for the VOC. She was under the command of Pieter Albertszoon, and her destination was Batavia. The ship stopped at the Cape of Good Hope on 9 March 1656, having lost two crewmembers on the journey out. Vergulde Draeck left port four days later to continue on to Batavia.

On the night of the 28 April 1656, Vergulde Draeck struck a submerged coral reef midway between what are now the coastal towns of Seabird and Ledge Point, Western Australia. On board were 193 crew, eight boxes of silver coins worth 78,600 guilders (equivalent to € 2.4 million in 2024) and trade goods to the value of 106,400 guilders equivalent to €3.2 million in 2024.

Of the 193 crew, 118 are believed to have perished. The initial 75 survivors, including the ship's captain Pieter Albertszoon, and the under steersman, made it to shore. They had with them the ship's boat, a schuyt, along with a small amount of provisions and stores washed on shore.

On 7 May 1656, approximately nine days after the loss of Vergulde Draeck, the under steersman and six crew members were dispatched to Batavia to summon help. They carried with them letters written by the crew which described the loss of the schuyt [ clarification needed ], the crew's decision to await rescue from Batavia, and their steadfast faith in the Lord God. [ citation needed ]

After a journey of some 1,400 nautical miles (2,600 km; 1,600 mi), lasting 41 days, with little water, little food and suffering from exposure, the under steersman and six crew arrived at Batavia. The alarm was raised and the search for the survivors of Vergulde Draeck and her cargo began.

Dutch East India Company mounted a number of rescue attempts once the loss was reported.

On 7 June 1656, two rescue vessels, Goede Hoop and Witte Valck, were dispatched from Batavia. Large storms off the Western Australian coast meant that both ships were unsuccessful.

On 18 July 1656, Goede Hoop managed to disembark men upon the shoreline; however, they lost three men along the coast who had wandered into the bush, before losing another eight men who went in search of them.

On 23 April 1657, Vinck in the process of setting sail from the Cape of Good Hope was instructed to search for the survivors on her passage to Batavia.

On 1 January 1658, Waeckende Boey and Emeloordt were dispatched from Batavia. This time the rescue attempt was made in the more favourable summer months.

On 23 February 1658, Captain Volkersen of Waeckende Boey sighted the Western Australian coastline, perhaps being the first European to sight what is today Rottnest Island, though it is possible Houtman may have sighted it in 1619.

On 26 February 1658, a shore party from Waeckende Boey returning from the coast recorded the discovery of wreckage believed to be of Vergulde Draeck. Most notable was a plank circle, a collection of some 12 to 13 planks placed in a circular fashion, dug into the beach sand with their ends facing skyward.

During the various searches, a shore party from Waeckende Boey led by Abraham Leeman became separated from the others. Bad weather prevented the party from returning to the ship; after four days they were presumed lost and Waeckende Boey departed. Leeman and three others sailed to Batavia in a small boat; his diary in the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam recounts his experience. The town of Leeman, Western Australia was later named after him.

On 9 March 1658, Captain Jonck of Emeloordt managed to send a small party to land. Upon returning, the shore party reported having seen three Aboriginal persons of tall stature who attempted to communicate with them using basic hand signals. This story of first contact was a peaceful exchange, likely with the Yuet people of Western Australia.

A further rescue attempt was made in 1659 by Emmenhorn but no sign of survivors or wreckage was found.

On 7 June 1656, two rescue vessels, Goede Hoop and Witte Valck, were dispatched from Batavia. Large storms off the Western Australian coast meant that both ships were unsuccessful.

On 18 July 1656, Goede Hoop managed to disembark men upon the shoreline; however, they lost three men along the coast who had wandered into the bush, before losing another eight men who went in search of them.

On 23 April 1657, Vinck in the process of setting sail from the Cape of Good Hope was instructed to search for the survivors on her passage to Batavia.

On 1 January 1658, Waeckende Boey and Emeloordt were dispatched from Batavia. This time the rescue attempt was made in the more favourable summer months.