Lot Essay
The VOC, Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie, or Dutch East India Company, combined in 1602 the forces of the formerly independent East Indies Companies of Amsterdam, Middelburg, Delft, Rotterdam, Hoorn and Enkhuizen. The executive committee of seventeen members had the power to decide upon financial matters, the nature of the shiploads and could also order ships. The "Batavia" was built according to the measurements given in their charter of 17th March, 1626. The "Batavia" perished on it's first trip in 1629 on the cliffs of the Abrolhos Islands, off the Western Australian coast. Australian divers salvaged the remains of the wreck in the early 1960's.
In 1985, an idea originated in the Netherlands to build a full-scale reconstruction of the "Batavia". As in the 17th Century no construction plans were used, it was necessary to produce construction drawings. The builder of the model, Mr. De Koning, then enlarged these drawings to scale 1:20 to reconstruct the hull. Willem Vos, who was in charge of rebuilding the "Batavia", has managed to convince the technical and historical committee of the best way to proceed with the building of the full-size replica, through knowledge acquired of building the present model. This for instance involved the way that Scandinavian oaks should be sawn for use in construction, the number of ribs, the way that the cannon hatches had to be positioned and the size of the lion figurehead.
The unique 1:20 scale model of the cannon has been turned from brass after the original 24-pounder composite gun
See illustration
In 1985, an idea originated in the Netherlands to build a full-scale reconstruction of the "Batavia". As in the 17th Century no construction plans were used, it was necessary to produce construction drawings. The builder of the model, Mr. De Koning, then enlarged these drawings to scale 1:20 to reconstruct the hull. Willem Vos, who was in charge of rebuilding the "Batavia", has managed to convince the technical and historical committee of the best way to proceed with the building of the full-size replica, through knowledge acquired of building the present model. This for instance involved the way that Scandinavian oaks should be sawn for use in construction, the number of ribs, the way that the cannon hatches had to be positioned and the size of the lion figurehead.
The unique 1:20 scale model of the cannon has been turned from brass after the original 24-pounder composite gun
See illustration