Story
Batavia Hull Model (1629)
A Shipwreck, a Mutiny, and a Dark Chapter in Australian History
The Batavia was a Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship, three-masted, 650 tonnes, and loaded with treasure and passengers. Built in the Netherlands and set sail in 1628, bound for Batavia (now Jakarta).
But on 4 June 1629, she struck Morning Reef in the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, off the Western Australian coast. What followed was one of the darkest episodes in maritime history: a mutiny, and the brutal murder of over 100 survivors.
The wreck lay hidden for more than 330 years until it was discovered in 1963. Since then, the WA Museum has led over 20 expeditions to the site, on land and underwater revealing a chilling and extraordinary story.
Tap to Explore:
🛠️ View the 3D model of the Batavia hull on Sketchfab. Zoom, rotate, and dive into the remains of one of Australia’s most notorious shipwrecks.
Built: 1626–1628, Netherlands
Wrecked: 4 June 1629, Morning Reef
Discovered: 1963
Protected under:Commonwealth Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018
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