DUTCH TREASURE SHIP
RELICS OF LONG AGO.
HUMAN SKELETON AND COINS.
A human skeleton and a number of ancient coins found near the mouth of the Moore River, 50 miles north of Perth, Western Australia, are believed to be relics of the Dutch treasure ship Der Vergulde Draeck (Golden Drake), which was wrecked on that part of the coast in 1049 with 78,000 guilders on board. The bones were on a ledge of rock known as Eagles’ Nest, and they fell to pieces when handled. Some distance away were 23 pieces of hard, white inscribed metal and 12 coins of two sizes, dated 1618 and 1648. On one side was the head of a man or woman with foreign words, and on the other the figure of a unicorn. The Der Vergulde Draeck was engaged in trading between Holland and the Dutch East Indies. Of the crew, 118 were lost and seven survivors reached Batavia. Sixty-eight were left behind to protect the cargo and treasure. Several relief vessels found wreckage, but the whereabouts of the castaways remained a mystery.
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Bibliographic details
Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1931, Page 11
Word Count
179DUTCH TREASURE SHIP Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1931, Page 11
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