The wreck of the Batavia

the long version

This book is actually comprised of two narratives; the true story of the wreck of the schooner Batavia, and an account of the author's brief trip on a Breton fishing boat. The Batavia was a Dutch merchant ship, sailing for the Dutch East India Company from Holland to Java, in 1629. The ship was wrecked off the coast of Western Australia and the survivors endured a harrowing experience under an officer out of control.; of 300 who made it to shore, 200 were slaughtered before a rescue vessel arrived. 65 pages. "Prosper" recounts the author's short time aboard one of the last sailing tuna fishing boats in 1958. 50 pages. Both accounts are interesting and informative.