Shipwreck Databases Western Australian Museum

Boat from Waeckende Boey

The Emeloort and the Waeckende Boey had set sail in 1658 to chart the coast of the Southland and look for survivors of the Vergulde Draeck. The Emeloort reached sight of the Southland at latitude 33° 12´S and then turned north along the coast. Fires were seen on the land at which signal guns were fired which appeared to be answered by more fires. A boat was sent ashore twice to investigate, but the fires were extinguished and no survivors seen. The searchers reportedly came across a group of Aboriginals so it is probable that they were responsible for the fires seen from the ship. The Waeckende Boey meanwhile had reached the Southland at 31° 40´S then heading northward they came across wreckage at a number of sites. A boat was sent ashore with the uppersteersman and fourteen other crew on the 22 March but failed to return after a night of stormy weather. For a few days the Waeckende Boey looked for the lost boat. Fires were seen on the mainland, a signal gun fired from the ship and more fires lit in answer on the mainland, similar to case of the Emeloort. However, theWaeckende Boey failed to investigate further, and returned to Batavia leaving the men stranded. Apart from the initial privations of being marooned, and then trying to sail back to Batavia in a small boat, they were wrecked in Java and ended up walking through Java to reach Batavia. It is not known whether they may have had contact with Aboriginals while stranded and repairing their boat but it remains a possibility. Only 3 of the 15 men involved survived this ordeal. The associated Aboriginal people were possibly the Yuat.

Associated Tribe Yuat

Contact Evidence Possible

Type of contact Unknown

Year 1658

Nationality Dutch

Location Near Moore River mouth

Source European