ANCODS

Last updated

Agreement between Australia and the Netherlands Concerning Old Dutch Shipwrecks
Signed6 November 1972
Location The Hague, Netherlands
Signatories
LanguagesDutch, English

The Australian Netherlands Committee on Old Dutch Shipwrecks (ANCODS) is an organization tasked with maintaining and allocating artefacts from 17th and 18th century Dutch shipwrecks off the coast of Western Australia. It was founded in 1972 by the Agreement between Australia and the Netherlands Concerning Old Dutch Shipwrecks. [1]

Contents

History

The ships

Development of ANCODS began with the discovery of four Dutch East India Company ships off the coast of Western Australia in the 1950s–1960s.

Zuytdorp (1712)

In 1712, Zuytdorp struck the cliffs 60 km (37 mi) north of the mouth of the Murchison River. It was the only wreck of the four from which no survivors returned to Batavia (modern day Jakarta). Some evidence exists of survivors reaching the top of the cliffs, but it is unclear what exactly transpired. Zuytdorp remained where it sank until the location of the wreck was publicized by the local press in the 1930s, although rumours of its existence had been previously circulated in 1927. It was not until 1958 that the wreckage was confirmed as that of the Zuytdorp by Philip Playford. [2] The Western Australian Museum (WAM) carried out archaeological investigations of both the underwater site and the associated survivor camp from 1974 until the late 1990s. The Zuytdorp Nature Reserve was formed in 1992 to protect the wreck. As a result, diving is prohibited in the waters surrounding the wreck. WAM currently has 1,300 artefacts in the ANCODS Collection for the site. [3]

Vergulde Draeck (1656)

Wrecked in 1656 south of Ledge Point, Western Australia, the Vergulde Draeck (or Gilt Dragon, as it is more commonly known) was the first to be relocated during the 1950–1960s. However, Alan Robinson, who claimed to have discovered the vessel, could not remember where the wreck was originally located. [2] Artefacts were then collected on 14 April 1963 when a spear fishing group stumbled across them. James, Alan, Graeme Henderson, and John Cowan, members of the spear fishing group that discovered site, offered their rights to the site to the WAM. [2] However the last member of the group, Alan Robinson, did not. WAM accepted the rights. [2] However, looters used explosives to breach the vessel and search for valuable artefacts, mainly coins. [4] Due to looting, the nature of the seabed and occasional severe storms, the site is spread over a 40 m × 50 m (130 ft × 160 ft) area on a reef and is very difficult to locate. [4] Jeremy Green and staff from WAM recovered artefacts from the wreck in archaeological seasons between 1972 and 1983. The ANCODS collection currently includes large numbers of ballast bricks, clay pipes, stoneware, wooden and metal fragments as well as elephant tusks, leather shoes and coin-, eight hundred of which are in the custody of the Money Museum in Utrecht. [4]

Batavia (1629)

Batavia's hull remains and a replica of the portico on display in the Fremantle Shipwreck Gallery, WA Batavia 01 gnangarra.jpg
Batavia's hull remains and a replica of the portico on display in the Fremantle Shipwreck Gallery, WA

Batavia struck the reef surrounding the Wallaby Group of the Houtman Abrolhos in 1629. Survivors set up camp nearby and a small party was sent off in search of fresh water. When no water was found, the party was sent to Batavia (modern day Jakarta) to get help and to notify the government of a mutiny aboard the ship. [5] The survivors left on the island suffered losses due to murder, starvation and exposure. [5] Discovered in 1963, this site is one of the more famous due to events that led up to the wreck and the ensuing strife among the surviving crew. [2] Between 1970 and 1974, WAM recovered many artefacts from the wreck and raised the remains of the hull for display in the museum. [5] Also retrieved was a dismantled portico destined for Batavia's port and human remains. [5] The ANCODS collection holds 6,823 artefacts related to the Batavia and the remains of its hull. The assembled portico is on display in WAM's Fremantle Ship Wreck Galleries. [5]

Zeewijk (1727)

The Zeewijk was wrecked in 1727 on the Pelsaert Group in the Houtman Abrolhos, Western Australia. [2] Much of the cargo that was carried aboard was transferred to the survivor camp on Gun Island and perhaps later returned to Batavia, via the Sloepie . This ship was built by the survivors on Gun Island and carried 82 people back to Batavia. [6] No substantial hull remains, although many fragments have been recovered. [2] Artefacts were collected in the 1840s by the island's guano diggers. [6] Most of these artefacts were later given to WAM. The main wreck site was identified in 1968, containing remains such as rigging, cannons, kegs of nails, wine glasses, and ceramics. [6] Much of the remains of the survivors' camps have been destroyed by the guano diggers and wildlife, however. WAM holds 4,196 artefacts in the ANCODS collection related to the Zeewijk. [6]

Before ANCODS

The discovery of these vessels sparked interest in protecting the shipwrecks in Western Australia. In 1964, amendments to the Museum Act 1959 (WA) were made to include the preservation of material from wrecks for the benefit of the public, and the WAM was vested with the sole right to control vessels abandoned, wrecked or stranded before 1900. [2] [7] In 1969 a new Museum Act was enacted and the former Board of the Museum became a trustee. Much of the historic shipwreck amendments made to the previous act were kept. However, one of the biggest changes was to remove the finder's reward and compensation for artefacts. [2] The Museum Act 1969 was then incorporated into the Maritime Archaeology Act 1973 of WA to include changes based on the museum's experience since 1964. [2] [8] In this time Alan Robinson, one of the finders of the Vergulde Draeck , sued WAM, claimed that the legislation implemented was not valid. [2] [7] This was proved correct over many years and from many angles the debate was held. The Commonwealth was looking into protection itself and used the end of the legal battle to release its own legislation concerning shipwrecks. [2] Under the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 the WAM was given the power it needed to continue as it had been. [2]

ANCODS agreement

Due to the decline of the Dutch East India Company in the 18th century, it was nationalised by the Dutch government. The modern government, therefore, later became the owners of the company and its ships, including wrecked vessels. [7] The Dutch, through agreements between the Australian Government and the WAM, proposed the ANCODS Agreement in 1964. The Australian government and the WAM took no action with it until the early 1970s, however. [2] With the beginning of the legal battle between Robinson and the WAM, the Agreement between Australia and the Netherlands Concerning Old Dutch Shipwrecks was signed on 6 November 1972. [1] [2] [7] With the signing of the ANCODS agreement,

The Netherlands, as successor to the property and assets of the Dutch "Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie", transferred to Australia all its right, title and interest in and to wrecked vessels of the Dutch "Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie" lying on or off the coast of the State of Western Australia and in and to any articles thereof and Australia accepted that right, title and interest.

— Historic Shipwrecks Act [9]

See ANCODS legislation below for the full agreement.

Activities

Controlling the interests of the ANCODS Agreement is the ANCODS Committee. This committee consists of four members, two from the Netherlands and two from Australia, chosen for their expertise. The current Australian members are Dr John PS Bach OAM and Professor Geoffrey C Bolton AO. The Netherlands are represented by Ms Andrea Otte, a representative of the Dutch Ministry of Culture, and Mr Eric Stating, a Councillor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. [10] Undertaking the Secretariat duties of the committee is the Maritime Heritage Section of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. [10] Linked to the committee are two groups of stakeholders composed of four museum and government representatives, who also take part in decisions regarding the ANCODS agreement. [1]

In 1997 the ANCODS colloquium, a three-day conference to discuss the position of ANCODS at the time and to provide new recommendations, was held. Two resolutions were formed and proposed:

Resolution 1: In the practice of modern archaeology, it is generally accepted that the collections should remain within their original context. It is suggested that the ANCODS should promote the concept that the whole ANCODS collection should remain under the administration of the Western Australian Maritime Museum, which should administer the location, movements and loan of the collection. Resolution 2: That the research role of ANCODS, as originally outlined in the Agreement, be expanded to encompass the concept of a joint Australian and Netherlands scientific research (JANSR), which would include education, dissemination of information, scientific research projects and community access. The ANCODS Committee should also examine the future role and aims of ANCODS. [11]

Collection

As part of the ANCODS Agreement, Australia took on the responsibility to look after all the artefacts recovered from the wrecks, including their recovery, conservation, storage and display. Formally, artefacts were housed in four museums: the Western Australian Maritime Museum, the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Netherlands Maritime Museum and the Geldmuseum (Money Museum) in Utrecht. However, as part of the 1997 Colloquium, it was advised that all artefacts be returned to the WAM in accordance with modern archaeological standards. On 15 September 2010, the plans to hand over artefacts in the care of the Netherlands to WAM were finalised; the agreement was signed by the Australian ambassador to the Netherlands, Lydia Morton, and the Netherlands Secretary for Culture, Judith van Kranendonk, aboard the Batavia replica in Lelystad, The Netherlands. [12]

An official handover took place on 9 November 2010, conducted by his Excellency Mr Willem Andreae, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to Senator Don Farrell, the Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water. [12] The ceremony was held at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney. To symbolise the final transfer of artefacts, another ceremony was held at the Western Australian Maritime Museum on 21 February 2011. His Excellency Mr Willem Andreae handed a pewter plate recovered from the Batavia wreck to Premier Colin Barnett. [13] A video of the unpacking of the last crate of artefacts can be viewed on the WAM website. As part of the repatriation of artefacts, the Western Australian Maritime Museum created a database which includes photos and descriptions of all artefacts recovered from the four VOC shipwrecks. This permits scholars to access the collections. Exhibits are currently being displayed in the Western Australian Maritime Museum and the Australian National Maritime Museum with talk of an ANCODS exhibition in 2012 or later. [12] [13] [ needs update ]

Related Research Articles

Maritime archaeology archaeological study of human interaction with the sea

Maritime archaeology is a discipline within archaeology as a whole that specifically studies human interaction with the sea, lakes and rivers through the study of associated physical remains, be they vessels, shore-side facilities, port-related structures, cargoes, human remains and submerged landscapes. A specialty within maritime archaeology is nautical archaeology, which studies ship construction and use.

<i>Batavia</i> (1628 ship) 1628 flagship of the Dutch East India Company

Batavia was a ship of the Dutch East India Company. Built in Amsterdam in 1628 as the company's new flagship, she sailed that year on her maiden voyage for Batavia, capital of the Dutch East Indies. On 4 June 1629, the Batavia was wrecked on the Houtman Abrolhos, a chain of small islands off the coast of Western Australia.

Underwater archaeology Archaeological techniques practiced at underwater sites

Underwater archaeology is archaeology practiced underwater. As with all other branches of archaeology, it evolved from its roots in pre-history and in the classical era to include sites from the historical and industrial eras. Its acceptance has been a relatively late development due to the difficulties of accessing and working underwater sites, and because the application of archaeology to underwater sites initially emerged from the skills and tools developed by shipwreck salvagers. As a result, underwater archaeology initially struggled to establish itself as bona fide archaeological research. The situation changed when universities began teaching the subject and when a theoretical and practical base for the sub-discipline was firmly established. Underwater archaeology now has a number of branches including, after it became broadly accepted in the late 1980s, maritime archaeology: the scientifically based study of past human life, behaviours and cultures and their activities in, on, around and (lately) under the sea, estuaries and rivers. This is most often effected using the physical remains found in, around or under salt or fresh water or buried beneath water-logged sediment. In recent years, the study of submerged WWII sites and of submerged aircraft in the form of underwater aviation archaeology have also emerged as bona fide activity.

European maritime exploration of Australia Overview of the European maritime exploration of Australia

The maritime European exploration of Australia consisted of several waves of European seafarers who sailed the edges of the Australian continent. Dutch navigators were the first Europeans known to have explored and mapped the Australian coastline. The first documented encounter was that of Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon, in 1606. Dutch seafarers also visited the west and north coasts of the continent, as did French explorers.

<i>Zuytdorp</i> Dutch trading ship

Zuytdorp also Zuiddorp was an 18th-century trading ship of the Dutch East India Company.

The year 1972 in archaeology involved some significant events.

Ridderschap van Holland was a large retourschip, the largest class of merchantmen built by the Dutch East India Company to trade with the East Indies. In 1694 the ship sailed for Batavia on her fifth voyage, but did not reach its destination and was never heard from again. She is now thought to have been shipwrecked off the west coast of Australia.

The Western Australian Museum is a statutory authority within the Culture and the Arts Portfolio, established under the Museum Act 1969.

Castaway Person who is cast adrift or ashore, usually in shipwreck

A castaway is a person who is cast adrift or ashore. While the situation usually happens after a shipwreck, some people voluntarily stay behind on a deserted island, either to evade captors or the world in general. A person may also be left ashore as punishment (marooned).

The Vergulde Draeck, also spelled Vergulde Draak and Vergulde Draek, was a 41.8-metre (137 ft), 260-tonne (290-ton) ship constructed in 1653 by the Dutch East India Company.

Ledge Point, Western Australia Town in Western Australia

Ledge Point is a small coastal township 105 km north of Perth, Western Australia. It was established to service the local fishing and crayfishing industries.

Brouwer Route 17th-century sailing path from South Africa to Southeast Asia often used by Dutch traders

The Brouwer Route was a 17th-century route used by ships sailing from the Cape of Good Hope to the Dutch East Indies, as the eastern leg of the Cape Route. The route took ships south from the Cape into the Roaring Forties, then east across the Indian Ocean, before turning northeast for Java. Thus it took advantage of the strong westerly winds for which the Roaring Forties are named, greatly increasing travel speed.

The Zeewijk was an 18th-century East Indiaman of the Dutch East India Company that was shipwrecked at the Houtman Abrolhos, off the coast of Western Australia, on 9 June 1727. The survivors built a second ship, the Sloepie, enabling 82 out of the initial crew of 208 to reach their initial destination of Batavia on 30 April 1728. Since the 19th century many objects were found near the wreck site, which are now in the Western Australian Museum. The shipwreck itself was found in 1968 by divers.

Over 1400 ships have been wrecked on the coast of Western Australia. This relatively large number of shipwrecks is due to a number of factors, including:

Tryall was a British East India Company-owned East Indiaman launched in 1621. She was under the command of John Brooke when she was wrecked on the Tryal Rocks off the north-west coast of Western Australia in 1622. Her crew were the first Englishmen to sight or land on Australia. The wreck is Australia's oldest known shipwreck.

Fortuyn was a ship owned by the Chamber of Amsterdam of the Dutch East India Company that was lost on its maiden voyage in 1723. It set sail for Batavia from Texel in the Netherlands on 27 September 1723. The ship reached the Cape of Good Hope on 2 January 1724, and continued on its voyage on 18 January. Fortuyn was never seen again and its fate is a matter of speculation.

Walga Rock

Walga Rock, also known as Walgahna Rock and Walganna Rock, is a granite monolith situated about 48 kilometres (30 mi) west of Cue, Western Australia. It is one of the largest granite monoliths in Australia.

<i>Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976</i> Australian legislation

The Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 was an Australian Act of Parliament designed to legally protect historic shipwrecks and any relics or artefacts from those wrecks. The Act automatically affects all shipwrecks that meet the "historic" criteria and are in Australian Commonwealth waters : complementary state and territory legislation protects shipwrecks in state and territory waters including rivers and bays. Of the estimated 8,000 shipwrecks in Australian waters, more than 6,500 are protected under this legislation.

Max Cramer Australian diver

Max Cramer OAM was an Australian scuba diver who became famous as the co-discoverer of the wreck of the Batavia on 4 June 1963. He was involved in a number of maritime archaeology projects pertaining to historic shipwrecks in Western Australia.

The Society for Underwater Historical Research (SUHR) was an amateur maritime archaeology organisation operating in South Australia (SA). It was formed in 1974 by recreational scuba divers and other persons to pursue an interest in maritime archaeology and maritime history. The SUHR was renamed as the South Australian Archaeology Society in March 2012 as part of a plan to expand its activities beyond maritime archaeology to include other archaeological disciplines.

References

  1. 1 2 3 ANCODS. "About ANCODS". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Kennedy, G.A. 1998 Discovery, Legislation, and Litigation, in Green, J., Stanbury, M., and Gaastra, F.(eds) 'The ANCODS Colloquium: Papers presented at the Australia-Netherlands Colloquium on Maritime Archaeology and Maritime History'. Western Australian Maritime Museum, Fremantle. pp30-36.
  3. ↑ ANCODS. "ANCODS – The Zuytdorp". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  4. 1 2 3 ANCODS. "ANCODS – Vergulde Draeck". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 ANCODS. "ANCODS – The Batavia". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 4 ANCODS. "ANCODS – The Zeewijk". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Bolton, G. (1977). Green, J.N. (ed.). Legislation- What is ANCODS? (Australian Netherlands Committee on Old Dutch Shipwrecks) (PDF). Papers from the First Southern Hemisphere Conference on Maritime Archaeology. Oceans Society of Australia. pp. 28–30.
  8. ↑ Staniforth, S. and Nash, M. (eds) 2006 Maritime Archaeology: Australian Approaches. The Plenum Series in Underwater Archaeology. Springer, New York p.2.
  9. ↑ Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976, Preamble. URL:http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2004C04468.
  10. 1 2 Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. "Australia and the Netherlands Concerning Old Dutch Shipwrecks" . Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  11. ↑ Green, Jeremy (1998). Stanbury, M.; Gaastra, F. (eds.). The ANCODS Colloquium: Papers presented at the Australia – Netherlands Colloquium on Maritime Archaeology and Maritime History. Fremantle: Western Australian Maritime Museum. p. xiii.
  12. 1 2 3 Picton, Tom (9 November 2010). "Australia Receives Important Dutch Maritime Collection" (PDF). Senator the Hon Don Farrell Media Release. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  13. 1 2 Western Australian Museum. "Priceless Dutch shipwreck collection handed to the WA Museum". Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.