Dimensions
158 x 234 x 15mm
Murder, Mayhem and Mutiny
In 1629, the Dutch East India merchantman, the Batavia, was wrecked on reef islands off the West Australian coast while on her maiden voyage. For the survivors, this disaster was the beginning of a harrowing ordeal of desertion, betrayal and murder. As their captain, Pelsaert, sailed for help, over 125 men, women and children were murdered by mutineers in a frenzy of bloodlust and greed. When Pelsaert returned, months later, with a rescue ship, the marooned were caught in a desperate battle between the soldiers trying to defend them and the mutineers who were determined to leave no witnesses . . .
'Islands of Angry Ghosts' traces the final months of the Batavia and her crew, pieced together through journals, letters and trial records; and follows Hugh Edwards and the crew of divers that found, and salvaged, the treasure of the Batavia.
In print since 1966, this new edition contains etchings from the time of the Batavia and photographs of the salvage. It is a unique and compelling look at an horrific piece of Australian history.
