History
The Prinses Maria was an East Indiaman sailing for the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a merchant's vessel. On her second voyage to the East Indies, she wrecked off the rocky and treacherous coast of the Scilly Isles in the most southwestern point of the United Kingdom.
The large Dutch East Indiaman struck the rocks near Silver Carn, just north of Santaspery Neck, and foundered. The value of silver coin she carried prompted king James I to send his own Royal yacht to take part in the salvage, and then when the Dutch owners asked for the treasure to be returned, denied knowledge of it.
Wreck site of the Prinses Maria
Description
The Prinses Maria was a Dutch East Indiaman built in 1682 in Middelburg for the Zeeland Chamber of the VOC. She carried 250-275 souls.
Painting of a Dutch East Indiaman in a gale.
| Tonnage | 1140 ton (570 last) |
|---|
Status
In 1970 a Dutch officer of marines, Luitenant Jan Verkuyl, discovered information about the PRINSES MARIA in Dutch archives and collaborated with Rex Cowan; the wreck was found in 1973. Apart from silver reales 20 kilograms of mercury were also found (a contemporary treatment for syphilis).
Artefacts were put up for sale in three separate auctions together with artefacts of some other Dutch ships (Curacao, Lastdrager, Hollandia) on 29 April 1974 by Sotheby Mak Van Waay (catalogue 227).
28 October 1975 by Sotheby Mak Van Waay BV (catalogue 252)
24 November 1977 by W.H. Lane & Sons
Some items can be found at the Charlestown Shipwreck and Heritage Centre.
Protected under the Protection of Wrecks Act (1973).