28°54′S113°54′E / 28.900°S 113.900°E
The Pelsaert Group is the southernmost of the three groups of islands that make up the Houtman Abrolhos island chain. [1] It consists of a number of islands, the largest of which are Gun Island, Middle Island, and Pelsaert Island. The group is named after Francisco Pelsaert a Dutch "opperkoopman", who stranded nearby with the VOC-ship "Batavia" in 1629. The group contains the most southerly true coral reefs in the Indian Ocean. [2] The group is part of the Houtman Abrolhos Important Bird Area, identified as such by BirdLife International because of its importance for supporting large numbers of breeding seabirds. [3]
A great many ships have been wrecked in the Pelsaert Group. The most notable wreck is the Zeewijk , which was wrecked on the Half Moon Reef in 1727, the survivors staying on Gun Island for some time afterwards. [4] Other wrecks include the Ocean Queen , wrecked on the Half Moon Reef in 1842; the Ben Ledi , wrecked off Pelsaert Island in 1879; and the Windsor, wrecked on the Half Moon Reef in 1908. [5]
