Australian researchers have discovered the likely location of a Dutch ship that sank off the coast of Australia over 150 years ago, just days after discharging more than 400 Chinese miners at Robe, who then walked to Victoria's Goldfields.
The Dutch ship Koning Willem de Tweede sank in a storm off Robe, in South Australia’s southeast, in 1857. (Photo courtesy of Maritiem Museum Rotterdam via press release)
Marine archaeologists have confirmed the discovery of the Koning Willem de Tweede, a Dutch merchant ship that sank off the coast of Robe, South Australia, in June 1857. The 800-ton, 140-foot vessel was located approximately 400m offshore in Guichen Bay, submerged at depths between 4 and 6 metres.
Final voyage and tragic loss
In its final voyage, the Koning Willem de Tweede had transported over 400 Chinese miners to Robe. These passengers disembarked to undertake the arduous 400km journey on foot to the Victorian goldfields, circumventing a GB£10 poll tax imposed on sea arrivals in Victoria. Shortly after, the ship encountered a severe storm. Efforts by Captain Hindrik Remmelt Giezen to beach the vessel were unsuccessful, resulting in the deaths of 16 of the 25 crew members. The deceased were interred in the dunes of Long Beach.
Discovery and identification
The wreck was identified through a collaborative effort involving the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Silentworld Foundation, South Australia’s Department for Environment and Water, and Flinders University. Utilising marine magnetometers and underwater metal detectors, researchers detected iron components, including the ship’s windlass, and a well-preserved timber plank beneath it. Magnetic anomalies matching the ship’s documented length further corroborated the identification.
Historical significance
The Koning Willem de Tweede is notable for its role in the migration of Chinese miners during Australia’s gold rush era. Between the 1850s and 1860s, approximately 16,000 Chinese migrants arrived at Robe to avoid restrictive immigration taxes in Victoria. The ship’s discovery offers valuable insights into this significant period of migration and maritime history.
Future research and preservation
The site is subject to environmental conditions, with shifting sands potentially concealing or revealing parts of the wreck. Ongoing monitoring and research are planned to assess the site’s condition and to uncover additional artefacts. The wreck is protected under heritage laws, and while divers may visit the site, removal of artefacts is prohibited.
