Australian maritime archaeologists believe they have uncovered the wreckage of the Dutch frigate Koning Willem de Tweede, lost in 1857. The ship, which was 42 meters long and launched in The Hague in 1840, disappeared during a violent storm off the coast of South Australia. Buried beneath layers of sand in the bay near Robe, the wreck remained hidden for over 160 years.
6 months Ago
The vessel had just transported Chinese miners from Hong Kong to the goldfields of Victoria. After safely dropping off hundreds of passengers near Robe, the ship was caught in fierce winds while attempting to weather a storm.
With severe damage to the vessel, the captain grounded it on a nearby sandbank to prevent it from sinking. During the attempt, the hull split in two, and 16 of the 25 crew members died when their lifeboat capsized as they tried to escape.
Challenges in the Search
Copyright @ 2024 IBRA Digital