The Batavia set sail from Amsterdam with a fleet of seven other ships, carrying 341 people who ranged from V.O.C officials, sailors and soldiers, to relatively well-off passengers travelling with their families. The Batavia was packed with valuable cargo, including stone to build factories with, silverware, jewels, and a fortune in coins that would amount to almost 41 million Australian dollars in today’s currency.

Life on the ship was harsh, perilous, and unpleasant. Sleeping quarters were cramped and barrels of drinking water were contaminated with worms and algae. Outbreaks of infectious and nutritional deficiency diseases were common, resulting in the deaths of 10 passengers… However, the worst was yet to come.

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