India

The three-masted sailing ship Batavia began its maiden voyage on October 29th, 1628, as part of a larger fleet from the Netherlands bound for its distant namesake, Batavia, the Dutch colonial capital of modern-day Indonesia. This ship struck a reef at full speed in the early hours of June 4th, 1629. The Batavia sank, pulled down by large, carved sandstone blocks in its hold. These building materials were likely intended for the construction of a gateway or portico in the capital, but instead they sank to the bottom of the sea. After the ship wrecked off Morning Reef, approximately 300 survivors struggled through the waves to nearby islands. Worried about the lack of fresh water, the vessel’s commander, Francisco Pelsaert