RAISING THE SHIP
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RAISING THE SHIP
The site
The main wreck site is located in the surf zone on the outside of Morning Reef, in a maximum of eight metres depth. It is approximately 50 metres long by 15 metres wide, oriented north-south. At the time of its discovery in 1963, a total of 28 cannon (21 iron, two composite and five bronze) and nine anchors remained on the site.
Three large anchors were at the northern ‘bow’ end of the site closest to the reef. A fourth anchor was located further north in the shallows on top of the reef. A cluster of four anchors was also located on the east side, around the mid-point of the wreck site. Slightly to the south of these anchors, distinctively shaped sandstone blocks were distributed throughout the site.
Powerful waves and currents had also deposited some loose materials inside the reef lagoon up to a kilometre from the main site.
Site plan for the Batavia wreck site showing main site features, with anchors and guns numbered.
Credit: WA Museum
Site plan for the Batavia wreck site showing guns and anchor raised by the WA Museum. Most of the guns were located along the western edge of the site. Sixteen guns have been recovered in total: six by the site discoverers and Royal Australian Navy in 1963 (one iron, one composite and four bronze), and the remainder by the Museum between 1971 and 1974 (eight iron, one composite and one bronze).
Credit: WA Museum
