The first and last voyage of the Batavia

Philippe Godard with the contribution of Phillida Stephens

Abrolhos Publishing

Copyright C 1993 ‘A l’enseigne du rayon vert’

French by birth but Australian by affection since he spends the greater part of his time in Perth, Philippe Godard is a historian who has already produced more than twenty books, one of which was awarded an Australian prize in 1990. He specializes in the history of discoveries and is proud to claim that he was the first to find the authentic portrait of Huon de Kermadec, commanding the Esperance, the 17th century French ship that gave her name to the town situated in the south-east of the State of Western Australia. This book is the fruit of four years’ intensive research in European, South African and Australian archives. It is also the first to relate the Batavia tragedy in text and image. Scientific exactitude, a breath of adventure, wealth and beauty of illustration: every reader will find this book a source of satisfaction and all those who are thrilled by the great dramas of the sea and who are interested in our nation’s contribution to the written history of the world will want to have this book in their library.

A desolate group of island in the Indian Ocean, A proud 17th century vessel aground on the reef, Unspeakable treachery, Human suffering and misery pushed to the utmost limits, Legendary maritime prowess, The discovery of one of the most sought after wrecks in the world, Bringing to light and preserving its ‘treasures’, The incredible challenge of piecing together the sunken ship… One of the most dramatic stories of all time!