Amsterdam (1748) facts for kids
The 1990 ship replica of the Amsterdam in front of the Netherlands Maritime Museum in Amsterdam
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| History | |
|---|---|
 Dutch Republic |
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| Name | Amsterdam |
| Namesake | The city of Amsterdam |
| Owner |
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| Completed | 1748 |
| Maiden voyage | Texel–Batavia |
| Fate | Wrecked in a storm in the English Channel on 26 January 1749 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | East Indiaman |
| Displacement | 1100 tons |
| Length | 48.0 m (157.5 ft) |
| Beam | 11.5 m (38 ft) |
| Height | 56.0 m (183.7 ft) |
| Draught | 5.5 m (18 ft) |
| Armament | 42 guns |
The Amsterdam was a large cargo ship from the 1700s. It belonged to the Dutch East India Company, often called the VOC. This company was very powerful in the 1600s and 1700s.
The ship began its first big journey from Texel, a Dutch island, to Batavia (now Jakarta) on January 8, 1749. But a strong storm in the English Channel wrecked the ship on January 26, 1749.
The sunken ship was found in 1969 near Hastings, England. You can sometimes see it at low tide. Today, the wreck is a protected site. Some items found from the ship are on display at The Shipwreck Museum in Hastings. A full-size copy of the Amsterdam is in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Contents
What Was the Amsterdam Ship Like?
The Amsterdam was a special type of ship called an East Indiaman. These ships were built to travel between the Dutch Republic (now the Netherlands) and the Dutch settlements in the East Indies.
What Did These Ships Carry?
When sailing from Europe, these ships carried important items. They brought guns and bricks for the settlements. They also carried silver and gold coins to buy goods in Asia.
On the way back, the ships were filled with valuable Asian goods. These included spices, fabrics, and china. In both directions, they carried food, clothes, and tools for the sailors and soldiers.
Who Was on Board?
On a journey from Europe, which lasted about eight months, there were around 240 people on board. On the return journey, there were fewer people, about 70.
The Amsterdam was built in Amsterdam. It was made from strong oak wood.
The Ship's First Journey
The Amsterdam's first big trip was planned from Texel to Batavia. The ship was led by Captain Willem Klump, who was 33 years old.
Who Was on Board and What Did They Carry?
On this journey, there were 203 crew members, 127 soldiers, and 5 passengers. The ship was packed with many items. It carried textiles, wine, stone, cannons, paper, pens, and household goods. It also had 27 chests filled with silver guilder coins. All these goods would be worth millions of euros today!
Trouble at Sea
The ship tried to leave on November 15, 1748, but bad winds forced it back. A second attempt on November 21 also failed. The ship finally set sail on January 8, 1749.
However, the Amsterdam faced a powerful storm in the English Channel. It struggled against the strong westerly winds. For many days, it couldn't get past Beachy Head.
Sadly, an illness spread among the crew. There was also a mutiny, which means some crew members rebelled. To make things worse, the ship's rudder broke off.
Helpless in the storm, the ship ran aground. It got stuck in the mud and sand in the bay of Bulverhythe on January 26, 1749. This spot is about 5 kilometers west of Hastings.
After the Shipwreck
The ship began to sink into the mud. Much of its bottom part is still there today, perfectly preserved. Some of the cargo, including the silver coins, was taken off the ship by local officials to keep it safe.
There was some fighting between people trying to take things from the wreck. British soldiers had to come to restore order. The crew members were cared for locally before returning to the Dutch Republic.
Discovering the Shipwreck
In 1969, the Amsterdam was found again. A very low tide exposed parts of the ship. It is the best-preserved VOC ship ever discovered! An archaeologist named Peter Marsden first surveyed the wreck. He suggested more digging should be done.
The wreck site became a protected area on February 5, 1974.
Studying the Wreck
The VOC Ship Amsterdam Foundation began studying the wreck. Major excavations happened in 1984, 1985, and 1986. During these digs, many artifacts were found.
Even though the wreck is in the sand and mud of the beach, much of the work was done by divers. A small tower was built near the wreck to help them. The wreck was also surrounded by an iron frame.
So many items were found that new ways of studying them had to be created. These methods helped experts understand the technology, economy, and culture of the VOC era.
Where to See the Finds
Some of the items found are on display at the Shipwreck Museum in Hastings, UK. The ship's anchor is now public art in St Katharine Docks in London.
The wreck is protected, so diving on it or taking anything from it is not allowed. You can visit the ship when the timbers are visible at very low tides. They are in the sand just opposite the footbridge over the railway line at Bulverhythe.
A Copy of the Ship
A copy of the Amsterdam was built between 1985 and 1990. It was made from Iroko wood by 300 volunteers. They used both modern and old tools.
This replica is now docked next to the Netherlands Maritime Museum in Amsterdam. Visitors to the museum can go inside and explore it.
Hopes for the Original Ship
In the 1980s, people hoped the Dutch Government would dig up the entire original wreck. They wanted to restore it and display it in Amsterdam. This would be similar to how the Vasa is displayed in Sweden or the Mary Rose in Portsmouth.
However, there wasn't enough money for this big project. Several decks and much of the front part of the ship are still buried in the mud. They are in amazing condition because the mud naturally preserves them. A lot of the original cargo is still on board too!
Images for kids
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Scale model of the Amsterdam in Madurodam in The Hague
