VERGULDE DRAECK (GILT DRAGON) 1653-1656

Description:

Dutch East India Trader

Owner:

VOC Master: Peter Albertsz

Construction:

Timber

Sunk:

1656/04/28

Size:

260 ton length 41.8m beam 9.8m draft 4.1m

Underwater:

The wreck, the first of the Dutch East-India ships found on the WA coast, discovered by 5 spear-fishermen in April 1963. When this and the Batavia, (found same year) were heavily looted, shipwreck legislation was enacted, vesting the sites in the WA Museum.

Built:

1653 by VOC Amsterdam, Netherlands

Location:

Off Ledge Point

Sinking:

En route from Texel, Netherlands to Batavia carrying trade goods and eight chests of silver to the value of 78,6000 guilders. 75 of the 193 crew made it to shore. A small boat was sent with the Understeersman and six others to Batavia (now Jakarta) arriving 40 days later.

Longitude:

115.35905

Latitude:

-31.221391667