A.
_Woeful diurnal annotations [of Commander PELSAERT] touching the loss of
our ship Batavia, run aground on the Abrolhos, or rocks of Fredrick
Houtman, situated in 281/2 degrees S. Lat., at 9 miles' distance from the
Southland._
On the fourth of June [1619], it being Whitmonday, with a light, clear
full moon, about two hours before daybreak...I felt the ship's rudder
strike the rocks with a violent horrible shock. Upon which the ship's
course was forthwith checked by the rocks...I rushed on deck, and found
all the sails atop; the wind south-west; our course during the night had
been north-east by north, and we were now lying amidst thick foam. Still,
at the moment, the breakers round the ship were not violent, but shortly
after the sea was heard to run upon us with great vehemence on all
sides...
|