direct to content

MaSS

stepping stones of maritime history

History

During the disaster, the ships Iepenrode, Goudriaan, Flora, Buis and Duinbeek were smashed. The ships Westerwijk, Rodenrijs and Victoria stranded. Only the Papenburg was 'miraculously' preserved. 208 crew members died during the tragedy. Additionally, a total of £160 000 of cargo was lost.
Following this disaster, it was investigated whether the Saldahna bay 100 km to the north would be a better rendezvous place for the VOC. This ultimately did not happen.

Description

Type: hekboot
Built: Oostenburg, Amsterdam, 1730
Owner: VOC chamber Amsterdam
Tonnage: 425 last
Complement: 115
Master: Gerrit Pik

The Flora, Iepenrode and Paddenburg were enroute to the Netherlands from Batavia. However, prior to reaching the Cape, the convoy was separated in a storm off the Agulhas reef. During the incident, the Flora sustained light damage and needed some light repairs before the ship was able to make the trip back to the Netherlands.

On the 21st of ay 1737, the Flora broke free from her anchors in the violent north-westerly gale and the vessel went ashore in the mouth of the Salt River, at the same place as the Goudriaan had struck an hour or so previously. She went to pieces immediately, and only six of her crew survived

There are conflicting reports on what type of ship the Flora was.

MasterGerrit Pik
People on board115
Tonnage850 ton (425 last)

References

Down on 2 December

New in MaSS

Wrecks of Flevoland

Burgzand Noord

13 Provinces