A Batavia Cannon

This is one of five bronze cannon recovered from the wreck of the Batavia. Cast in 1616 for the Admiralty of Rotterdam by gunsmith Arent van der Put, it once displayed the Admiralty’s arms: crossed anchors with the rampant lion of the Netherlands holding a sword and a bundle of arrows. Time and corrosion have worn the details, but the craftsmanship remains clear.

With a bore of 153 mm, this cannon could fire a ball weighing 16 Amsterdam pounds (about 8 kg). More than just a weapon, it was a statement of power, ready to defend the ship and its valuable cargo.

And here’s a quirky twist, if you put your ear to the muzzle, it hums with a low, resonant note… a little like the sound of a didgeridoo.