Archaeologists believe they discovered the wreckage of an 800-ton Dutch merchant ship that sank 168 years ago on the Australian coast.
Koning Willem de Tweede was lost near the Australian robe in June 1857, killing 16 of its 25 crew members.
After four years of search, the National Maritime Museum of Australia and the Silentworld Foundation announced “significant discoveries” this week.
The museum said in a social media article: "The discovery" links us to the story of trade and immigration, and has already lined up more than 400 Chinese miners a few days before the sinking. ”
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The painting by Koning Willem de Tweede, an 800-ton Dutch merchant ship that sank on the Australian coast 168 years ago. (Australia National Maritime Museum)
James Hunter, acting manager of maritime archaeology at the National Maritime Museum, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Wednesday that archaeologists have discovered several components of the ship, including its winter, which lifted the equipment up and lowered the ship on board.
"We looked at the depth of the boat - the draft - we've looked at the depth of the water it sat and it seemed like everything was fine," he told the ABC.
He added that the researchers also found the same "magnetic anomaly" as the 140-foot ship.
The museum said the discovery was a partnership with Silentworld Foundation, a nonprofit that supports underwater archaeology, and the South Australian Environment and Water and Flinders University.
An integral part of the ship was found on the seabed. (Australia National Maritime Museum)
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"This major discovery, supported by the Dutch Foreign Ministry and the Dutch Cultural Heritage Agency, marks the culmination of dedicated research since 2022," the museum said on Facebook on Tuesday. "Future surveillance visits are planned to further evaluate the site and discover more of this important maritime history."
"When the weather was good enough, they conducted an investigation to find the wreck," Senterworld said on Facebook Wednesday. "The latest visit to Robert, in conjunction with the team listed above, led to the identification of the wreck. Visibility is challenging, but it's still enough for the team to make this incredible call!"
Divers exploring the wreckage of Koning Willem de Tweede. (Australia National Maritime Museum)
Hunter told ABC the ship may have been stranded on the seabed and buried in sand.
The convoy believes the shipwreck had been discovered three years ago, but Hunter said the sand made it difficult to get a reputation.
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"It doesn't take anything to stir the sand, it sits in the suspension almost like you're in an underwater blizzard," he said.