Pipe, excavated from the wreck site of the VERGULDE DRAECK
Maker
R P
Datec 1656
Object number00016028
NameTobacco pipe
MediumClay
DimensionsOverall: 30 x 265 x 15 mm
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Transferred from Australian Netherlands Committee on Old Dutch Shipwrecks
DescriptionThis clay pipe was excavated from the Dutch East India Company ship VERGULDE DRAECK wrecked on the Western Australian coast in 1656. It is engraved on the stem with fleur de lis and diamonds and was probably intended for trade as there is no indication that it has been used.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 and pottery. Dutch maps at this time also began to portray the coastline of Australia (New Holland), which would be a great benefit for later explorers.
The VOC ship VERGULDE DRAECK was under the command of Pieter Albertszoon on 28th of April 1656, when it hit a reef off the coast of Western Australia, between the present day towns of Seabird and Ledge Point. It was carrying 193 crew and passengers, of whom only 75 survived. The ship was also transporting a cargo of trade goods and silver coins for Batavia (Jakarta) worth 185,000 guilders. After the wreck a crew of seven men set out for Batavia while 68 remained on the Australian mainland. The party arrived safely to Batavia and numerous search expeditions were sent out to find any survivors. These expeditions all encountered difficulties, and eventually in 1658 the possibility of any future searches was ruled out by the VOC.SignificanceAssociated with the second oldest Dutch shipwreck discovered on the Australian coast this clay pipe is representative of European presence near the Australian continent in the 17th century.
