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Elephant tusk from the wreck site of the VERGULDE DRAECK
Elephant tusk from the wreck site of the VERGULDE DRAECK

Elephant tusk from the wreck site of the VERGULDE DRAECK

Datebefore 1656
Object number00046472
NameTusk
ClassificationsAnimals and animal products
Credit LineANMM Collection Transferred from Australian Netherlands Committee on Old Dutch Shipwrecks
DescriptionThis section of an elephant tusk was taken from the wreck of the VERGULDE DRAECK off the coast of Western Australia. Elephant tusks were an important cargo carried by the VOC to the Indies, being about the third largest item by weight. On average, the annual requisitions were about 20 tons per year between the years 1634 and 1664. In some years, tusks were not requisitioned but at other times, the orders increased to as much as 45 tons anually. The tusks were from African elephants, and were imported to the Netherlands by the Geoctroyeerde West Indische Compagnie (GWC) from West Africa. The wreck of the VERGULDE DRAECK took place on 28 April 1656 whilst on its way to Batavia, now known as Jakarta. The ship was carrying 195 passengers and cargo, trade goods and silver coins.HistoryDuring the 1600s the Dutch East India Company or Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) was a rapidly expanding merchant organisation. The VOC established a trade network throughout Asia by transporting rare spices, exotic textiles and seeking new markets. Asian goods - especially spices and Chinese ceramics - were highly sought after in Europe, allowing the VOC to establish a profitable enterprise between Europe and the East Indies. A number of Dutch ships are known to have wrecked on the west Australian coast, leaving evidence of their passing in the form of wreckage, coins, pottery and other material. Dutch maps at this time also began to show the coastline of Australia (New Holland). On 4 October 1655 the VERGULDE DRAECK set sail for Batavia from Texel as part of its second trading voyage between Holland and the East Indies. Under the command of Captain Pieter Albertszoon the ship carried a crew of 193 and a cargo of trade goods and silver coins worth 185,000 guilders. After a brief stop at the Cape of Good Hope the VERGULDE DRAECK followed the Brouwers route to the East Indies but struck a reef off the Western Australian coast on 28 April 1656. The ship broke up and 75 survivors were marooned on the mainland with only a few provisions and stores. Albertszoon dispatched Under Steersman Abraham Leeman and six other crew to get help, and after a 40 day voyage in the ship's boat they successfully reached Batavia. On hearing the news of the wreck the VOC sent two Dutch ships to search for survivors. The ships failed to find any survivors on the Australian coast and returned to Batavia after five months. Two more expeditions were mounted in the following years however they encountered various difficulties and failed to turn up any of the missing crew or passengers. Eventually in 1658 the possibility of any future searches was ruled out by the VOC.SignificanceThis object highlights the presence of the powerful Dutch East India Company in Australia, prior to British exploration. It illustrates the significant role Dutch merchants played in putting Australia - then referred to as New Holland - on the map.