Amsterdam and Perth - connections

I have always been fascinated by the shipwreck 'Batavia' and it's unfortunate history, being wrecked off the coast of Western Australia. In the WA Museum's Shipwreck Museum in Fremantle you can see the bones of the lower hull and various items recovered from the wreck site. In their museum in Geraldton you can see the stone arch that acted as ballast in the ship and was destined for the Dutch settlement in Batavia.

It was strange for me visiting Amsterdam where the ship set forth. In the harbour there is a replica of a ship from the same company, itself wrecked in the English Channel. I didn't have time to visit the replica but having now been to Amsterdam I am looking forward to my next visit to the Batavia exhibit in Fremantle.

 

The 'Amsterdam' in Amsterdam.

 

 

http://www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl/themuseum/news%7C73?t=English

http://museum.wa.gov.au/research/research-areas/maritime-archaeology/batavia-cape-inscription/batavia