Amsterdam (VOC ship)
The Amsterdam was a merchant ship of the 18th century under the flag of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The ship started its maiden voyage on January 8, 1749 by Texel to Batavia, but fell on January 26, 1749 a storm in the North Sea and ran on the English coast due. There had to be abandoned. The wreck was rediscovered near the town of Hastings in 1969 and represents the best-preserved wreck of a VOC ship; it projects seen well at extremely low water from the mud surrounding it. Some of the wreckage are in the Shipwreck Museum ( Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage Centre ) issued in Hastings. 1985 to 1990 a replica of the ship in the Netherlands was built, which can now be visited as part of Amsterdam Maritime Museum.
The VOC ship Amsterdam
The Amsterdam was an East Indiaman ( Dutch: mirror returns chip), which was intended for the transport of goods between the Republic of the Seven United Provinces and the settlements, towns and forts of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). On the way the ships usually transported weapons and brick for the settlements and forts as well as silver and gold coins for the purchase of Asian goods. On the way back to Europe spices, textiles and Chinese ceramic products were transported. In both directions were also clothes, transported tool for the sailors and soldiers. On the way there were about 240 people on board the ship - on the way back, only 70 people. The Amsterdam at the Amsterdam shipyard of VOC built of oak.
The maiden voyage in 1749
The maiden voyage of the Amsterdam should go from the island of Texel to Batavia. The ship was commanded at this drive from 33 years old captain Willem Klump and was laden with textiles, wine, stone ballast, cannon, paper, pens, whistles, home goods and 27 chests full of silver guilders. On November 15, 1748, the ship made a first retardation test, which was abandoned four days later. The second retardation test on December 6, 1748 failed, so the trip was finally begun on January 8, 1749. The Amsterdam came here in the English Channel in a strong gale from the west. For a few days she got no further than Beachy Head near Eastbourne. Finally, at this time broke even the plague on board, so that it finally came to a mutiny. As then broke even the rudder, the ship drifted helplessly in the storm. Captain Klump then decided to let the ship run on the English coast due to not jeopardize the charge. Finally, in the Bay Bulverhythe it ran aground on January 26, 1749 about 5 km west of Hastings. The Amsterdam sank evidently so fast in the mud that they could no longer be recovered. Part of the cargo, including silver coins were from the local authorities to safeguard assets for VOC confiscated. Some looting took place anyway, so eventually even had to intervene British troops to normalize the situation around the stranded ship. The ship's crew was supervised on site before they came back to their homeland.
The wreck of the Amsterdam
In 1969, the wreck of the Amsterdam was discovered when it was exposed at a very low spring tide. It is the best preserved VOC ship that has ever been found. The archaeologist Peter Marsden took the first survey and strained further exposure. The VOC Ship Amsterdam Foundation started first research regarding the wreck, which followed 1984, 1985 and 1986 further excavation activities. Here, a number of artifacts have been found. Despite all this, the wreck is included in the sand and silt of the beach. The majority of surgical exploration was taken by divers, for a small tower was built near the crashed ship. In addition, it was framed with an iron construct. Some artifacts are exhibited in the Shipwreck and Coastal Heritage Centre in Hastings (East Sussex ). The Strandungsstelle itself is protected by law, so that both made diving in the immediate vicinity as well as the removal of artifacts or pieces of wood under punishment. The former Amsterdam can only be " visited " when at very low tides parts of the bagged timber is released from the water. There were a few years ago hopes that the wreck salvaged due to his condition, well maintained, and how the ship wreck of the Vasa or Mary Rose can be issued - but the funds for this purpose could not be applied. Many decks and a large part of the bugs are hidden, but well preserved in the mud; this preserves the wreck in a natural way. A large part of the cargo is also included yet in the wreck.
The replica of the Amsterdam
A replica of the ship was timbered between 1985 and 1990 in the Netherlands by about 400 volunteers according to the plans of the original Amsterdam, however, is historically inaccurate in many respects. The craftsmen used while iroko wood for the hull and were based on shipbuilding techniques of the 18th century. However, due to today's shipbuilding regulations, some modifications had to be made: In addition to the use of tropical wood instead of oak for the shell and the deck the deck height has been adjusted so that you can stand almost upright. The ribs were also glued and the ladders were replaced by Stairs. The ship was transferred to Amsterdam and is moored here near the Maritime Museum, Amsterdam; it can be visited as a museum ship. ( Range: 52 ° 22 ' 21 " N, 4 ° 54' 51" O52.37254.9143 )