On 4 June 1629, the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC) ship Batavia slammed into a reef off the Western Australian coast stranding some 340 people far from any help. But that was just the beginning of one of maritime history’s most appalling chapters. Forty or so people died when the ship broke apart but aContinue reading “The Batavia Tragedy – 1629”
Tag Archives: Western Australia
The Brig Amity’s Amazing Career
All Australian school children learn of the Endeavour’s role in the history of Australia. Some people may have heard of the First Fleet’s flag-ship Sirius or the Investigator which Matthew Flinders used to chart much of Australia’s coastline. But, I wager few, outside Albany WA, have heard of the Amity or know of her contributionContinue reading “The Brig Amity’s Amazing Career”
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The Loss of the Mandalay: Between a Rock and a Hard Place
As Captain Emile Tonnessen saw the sheer granite walls of Chatham Island loom into sight, he knew his ship and crew of 12 men were in serious trouble. Unrelenting gale force wind and high seas had driven his 913-ton iron barque Mandalay North-east for the past several days, and his chart showed that should heContinue reading “The Loss of the Mandalay: Between a Rock and a Hard Place”
Tales from the Quarterdeck 