GILT DRAGON TREASURE
The shipwreck that almost cost me my life!
Rex Woodmore
TREASURE is not for the finder! by Allan Robinson
LET'S START WITH:
The Demise of the 'Gilt Dragon'
by shipwreck treasure hunter Allan Robinson
(The man to whom I owe my life!)
This was the first of Allan Robinson's series about shipwrecks .. the story of the ill fated 'Gilt Dragon'
Published in the Hamersley News, Western Australia. Thursday 8th of January 1976
Published in the Hamersley News, Western Australia. Thursday 8th of January 1976
READ THE STORY BELOW the NEWSPAPER CUTTING:
(Allan Robinson's story)
The book 'Treasure Lies Buried Here', which I read in my early teens, probably had a great influence on my decision to become an underwater explorer.
It gave information on all the known ship wrecks around the Australian coastline, with emphasis on wrecks in
West Australian waters. By far the most romantic name which repeatedly appeared was the 'Gilt Dragon'.
The name, by the way, was a complete misnomer as the ship's old Dutch name was 'de Vergulde Draecke',
which translated,means 'The Gilded Drake'.
The Ship was built for the Chamber of Amsterdam in 1655.She was commissioned at Texel, Holland and sailed on her maiden voyage to Batavia on October 5 the same year.'
Her complement was 350 people; comprising merchants, sailors and adventures, as well as
60 soldiers, who were commissioned to 'keep, the peace aboard'.
Arriving at Cape Town on January 21, 1656, Captain Peter Alberts had to replace
105 souls who had perished at sea from scurvy .
Then, after taking on fresh stores, the ship sailed on January 28, on the final leg to
Batavia. The trade merchandise she carried was mainly manufactured items — cloth, earthenware and building materials. A sideline for Captain's benefit only, was to buy elephant tusks
in South Africa, which he could sell to Chinese merchants who carved them into ivory ornaments.
The 'Gilt Dragon' sailed south , from Cape Town to catch the 'Roaring Forties', then eastward for approximately three thous and miles, north-west for one thousand miles, then east again until .the coast of the 'Great
- South Land' — Australia — was sighted. The intention then was to catch the southerly winds to propel them on
to Batavia. Navigation at this time was primitive to say the least. The coast of Australia was only known to be in 'the
proximity' and was sometimes sighted in daylight.
Unfortunately for the 'Gilt Dragon', she arrived at night. The first indication of trouble was the look out's shout during a
violent storm when, peering through the rain he saw huge breakers crashing onto a reef ahead.
The screamed warning to turn the cumbersome ship away came too late and the 'Gilt Dragon' reared into the waves and smashed onto
a reef, approximately 60 miles north of the Swan River.
The ship was rent asunder in foe darkness. Water poured aboard, timbers splintered, masts and rigging crashed to the decks.
Daylight brought a scene of complete chaos. Many of the passengers and crew had already disappeared over the side and others
had been crushed by moving cannons, cargo and timber. The Captain had the long-boat put over the side, only to see it
smashed to pieces in foe raging surf before anyone could clamber aboard. It was 10am before the next boat could be
successfully launched. Twenty people were crammed aboard, but the boat was swamped in foe shallows and
only three people reach ed the beach. The next boat did not make the same mistake of overloading and
twelve people were safely landed. Throughout the day, the shuttle service of the two life-boats managed to rescue 75 people.
The next day the ship broke in half. One section, tire stern, was carried north to sink , approximately 600 yards from the bow which
broke up where it foundered.
The survivors set up camp, picking up provisions as they floated ashore. The inhospitable coast could provide nothing for succour and
it was soon apparent that a rescue team had to be organised. One of the long boats was repaired, the sides raised and provisions put aboard.
The upper-steersman, Abraham Leaman van Santwits, was given the task of sailing the little fourteen foot life-boat, with six other helpers,
to Batavia, 3500 miles away, to report the catastrophe. Somehow, almost unbelievably, he made it, four months later. Two rescue ships
Were sent to search for survivors and recover the company's merchandise'. They were the 'Emeloort' and the "Wackende Buoy'.
The 'Emeoort' couldn't find her way and returned to Batavia. The 'Wackende Buoy', under Captain Volkersen, and with Abraham
Leaman van Santwits aboard, found the wreck site in February 1657.
It was not surprising that there was no sign of the survivors after 10 months. Indications were that foe camp site had beep visited by
natives who took foe survivors inland to a lake area where food and water were plentiful.
Two look-outs had been left in caves on high ground, three miles apart, in the hope that rescuers could be directed inland.
The skeletons of the two look-outs were found in 1931 by a survey party. Trinkets, coins and rosary beads were their
only remaining possessions. The rest of the survivors were never located but settlers in the Moore River area in 1846 reported seeing
light-skinned, ginger haired and freckle-faced aborigines. The wreck was never seen again until August 9, 1957, when in company with
Bruce Phillips, a 16 year old student, I looked below me and sighted the remains of this once proud ship that never lived long enough to complete her maiden voyage.
The book 'Treasure Lies Buried Here', which I read in my early teens, probably had a great influence on my decision to become an underwater explorer.
It gave information on all the known ship wrecks around the Australian coastline, with emphasis on wrecks in
West Australian waters. By far the most romantic name which repeatedly appeared was the 'Gilt Dragon'.
The name, by the way, was a complete misnomer as the ship's old Dutch name was 'de Vergulde Draecke',
which translated,means 'The Gilded Drake'.
The Ship was built for the Chamber of Amsterdam in 1655.She was commissioned at Texel, Holland and sailed on her maiden voyage to Batavia on October 5 the same year.'
Her complement was 350 people; comprising merchants, sailors and adventures, as well as
60 soldiers, who were commissioned to 'keep, the peace aboard'.
Arriving at Cape Town on January 21, 1656, Captain Peter Alberts had to replace
105 souls who had perished at sea from scurvy .
Then, after taking on fresh stores, the ship sailed on January 28, on the final leg to
Batavia. The trade merchandise she carried was mainly manufactured items — cloth, earthenware and building materials. A sideline for Captain's benefit only, was to buy elephant tusks
in South Africa, which he could sell to Chinese merchants who carved them into ivory ornaments.
The 'Gilt Dragon' sailed south , from Cape Town to catch the 'Roaring Forties', then eastward for approximately three thous and miles, north-west for one thousand miles, then east again until .the coast of the 'Great
- South Land' — Australia — was sighted. The intention then was to catch the southerly winds to propel them on
to Batavia. Navigation at this time was primitive to say the least. The coast of Australia was only known to be in 'the
proximity' and was sometimes sighted in daylight.
Unfortunately for the 'Gilt Dragon', she arrived at night. The first indication of trouble was the look out's shout during a
violent storm when, peering through the rain he saw huge breakers crashing onto a reef ahead.
The screamed warning to turn the cumbersome ship away came too late and the 'Gilt Dragon' reared into the waves and smashed onto
a reef, approximately 60 miles north of the Swan River.
The ship was rent asunder in foe darkness. Water poured aboard, timbers splintered, masts and rigging crashed to the decks.
Daylight brought a scene of complete chaos. Many of the passengers and crew had already disappeared over the side and others
had been crushed by moving cannons, cargo and timber. The Captain had the long-boat put over the side, only to see it
smashed to pieces in foe raging surf before anyone could clamber aboard. It was 10am before the next boat could be
successfully launched. Twenty people were crammed aboard, but the boat was swamped in foe shallows and
only three people reach ed the beach. The next boat did not make the same mistake of overloading and
twelve people were safely landed. Throughout the day, the shuttle service of the two life-boats managed to rescue 75 people.
The next day the ship broke in half. One section, tire stern, was carried north to sink , approximately 600 yards from the bow which
broke up where it foundered.
The survivors set up camp, picking up provisions as they floated ashore. The inhospitable coast could provide nothing for succour and
it was soon apparent that a rescue team had to be organised. One of the long boats was repaired, the sides raised and provisions put aboard.
The upper-steersman, Abraham Leaman van Santwits, was given the task of sailing the little fourteen foot life-boat, with six other helpers,
to Batavia, 3500 miles away, to report the catastrophe. Somehow, almost unbelievably, he made it, four months later. Two rescue ships
Were sent to search for survivors and recover the company's merchandise'. They were the 'Emeloort' and the "Wackende Buoy'.
The 'Emeoort' couldn't find her way and returned to Batavia. The 'Wackende Buoy', under Captain Volkersen, and with Abraham
Leaman van Santwits aboard, found the wreck site in February 1657.
It was not surprising that there was no sign of the survivors after 10 months. Indications were that foe camp site had beep visited by
natives who took foe survivors inland to a lake area where food and water were plentiful.
Two look-outs had been left in caves on high ground, three miles apart, in the hope that rescuers could be directed inland.
The skeletons of the two look-outs were found in 1931 by a survey party. Trinkets, coins and rosary beads were their
only remaining possessions. The rest of the survivors were never located but settlers in the Moore River area in 1846 reported seeing
light-skinned, ginger haired and freckle-faced aborigines. The wreck was never seen again until August 9, 1957, when in company with
Bruce Phillips, a 16 year old student, I looked below me and sighted the remains of this once proud ship that never lived long enough to complete her maiden voyage.
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM CERTIFIED
TWO GILT DRAGON SHIPWRECK COINS
Gilt Dragon Coin. Rex Woodmore's Museum Certificate.
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Gilt Dragon Coin. Rex Woodmore's Museum Certificate.
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ABOVE: My Gilt Dragon Coins & Museum Certificates
(I had several other coins that were stolen in a house burglary).
These remaining two coins are in safe keeping.
(I had several other coins that were stolen in a house burglary).
These remaining two coins are in safe keeping.
A few of thousands of Allan Robinson's Gilt Dragon Shipwreck coins.
WHEN I DIVED ON THE 1656 WRECK of a
VOC TREASURE SHIP 'The GILT DRAGON'
Rex Woodmore
When I wore a younger man's wet suit (1960s):
I dived with Allan Robinson on the treasure of the Gilt Dragon, a 350 year old VOC Shipwreck with hundreds of artifacts: Chests of silver coins, elephant tusks, Cannon, earthenware jugs & ballast bricks. My first dive on the Gilt Dragon was almost my last! I was suddenly hit and picked up by a series of six 'King' waves that hurled me, time and time again, onto the ragged rocks.
I dived with Allan Robinson on the treasure of the Gilt Dragon, a 350 year old VOC Shipwreck with hundreds of artifacts: Chests of silver coins, elephant tusks, Cannon, earthenware jugs & ballast bricks. My first dive on the Gilt Dragon was almost my last! I was suddenly hit and picked up by a series of six 'King' waves that hurled me, time and time again, onto the ragged rocks.
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Exhausted, stunned, battered bruised and bleeding, I was then menaced by a three metre Bronze Whaler shark that was attracted to my blood and circled my cut and bleeding legs!
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Menaced by a Bronze Whaler Shark
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In desperation I called out to the God that I didn't think I believed in!
This event was to leave an indelible imprint on my mind and eventually it made a dramatic difference to my way of life.
This event was to leave an indelible imprint on my mind and eventually it made a dramatic difference to my way of life.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE ON OZTREASURE 'I CALLED OUT"
WHO FOUND THE GILT DRAGON?
The official answer
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The official & correct answer to
''Who found the Gilt Dragon?'' Five spear fishermen - John Cowen, Jim, Allan Robinson, Alan and Graeme Henderson. |
There where lots of legal arguments going on about the discovery & salvage of the Gilt Dragon, but as far as I knew at the time when Allan Robinson invited me to dive with him with him on the wreck:
Allan Robinson was the only one of the original finders who legally claimed the discovery of the Gilt Dragon and he had the salvage rights to it.
Tested in many legal fights, the courts agreed it was his treasure!
Allan Robinson was the only one of the original finders who legally claimed the discovery of the Gilt Dragon and he had the salvage rights to it.
Tested in many legal fights, the courts agreed it was his treasure!
#AllanRobinson, #GiltDragon, #DutchShipwreck, #VOC, #FoundShipwreck, #LedgePoint, #WesternAustralianShipwreck, #BronzeCanon, #SilverCoins, #Treasure,
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"DRAGON DROWNING'
My experience on the Gilt Dragon was my inspiration behind the painting at right of a VOC treasure ship on a reef. The painting is now in the Arizona Castleton collection in the US. Together with another 24 of my artworks. |
Painting 'Dragon Drowning' by Rex Woodmore. SOLD
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THE SHIP HITS THE REEF
The Gilt Dragon becomes a shipwreck.
28 April 1656, the Gilt Dragon struck a reef 5.6 kilometres off the coast of Western Australia.
On board were Bronze canon, Elephant tusks, thousands of Ballast bricks, Earthenware jugs, Eight chests of silver coins and a crew of 193 (118 drowned).
Seven brave men in a dinghy set off on a 1,400 nautical mile journey to seek help from Batavia. Amazingly they succeeded and reached their destination but sadly various rescue missions failed to find any trace of the remaining 69 castaways. The mystery remains to this day.
14 April 1963, the wreck of the Gilt Dragon was found at Ledge Point, Western Australia. It was the first discovery of five known 17th and 18th centuries VOC and English East India Company shipwrecks on the coast of Western Australian.
On board were Bronze canon, Elephant tusks, thousands of Ballast bricks, Earthenware jugs, Eight chests of silver coins and a crew of 193 (118 drowned).
Seven brave men in a dinghy set off on a 1,400 nautical mile journey to seek help from Batavia. Amazingly they succeeded and reached their destination but sadly various rescue missions failed to find any trace of the remaining 69 castaways. The mystery remains to this day.
14 April 1963, the wreck of the Gilt Dragon was found at Ledge Point, Western Australia. It was the first discovery of five known 17th and 18th centuries VOC and English East India Company shipwrecks on the coast of Western Australian.
1656 WRECK OF THE GILT DRAGON
(Vergulde Draeck) VOC TREASURE SHIP
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Thousands of Spanish silver coins (Pieces of eight, four & two), Bronze cannon, Ivory Elephant tusks, Earthenware jugs and hundreds of Ballast bricks, were found amongst the conglomerated wreckage of the Gilt Dragon.
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Beardman Jug
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GILT DRAGON
FAILED RESCUE ATTEMPTS
Artist impression of the small lifeboat.
When the Gilt Dragon sank, with its crew of 193, only 75 of them made it to shore. A lifeboat with 7 of the survivors, was sent to Batavia for help. When they arrived in Batavia, two rescue ships were dispatched but failed to find any wreckage or the survivors.
To make matters worse they lost another 11 men & a boat in the search.
In January 1658 two other ships were sent out but were also unsuccessful. A boat from one of these ships disappeared but almost six months after having been given up as lost returned to Batavia.
To make matters worse they lost another 11 men & a boat in the search.
In January 1658 two other ships were sent out but were also unsuccessful. A boat from one of these ships disappeared but almost six months after having been given up as lost returned to Batavia.
DUTCH EAST INDIES COMPANY
VOC TREASURE SHIPS
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Both the Gilt Dragon and the Batavia belonging to the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC) would have looked similar to the ship at right. They both carried treasure & were both wrecked in Western Australian waters.
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Image from http://www.giltdragon.com.au
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GILT DRAGON RESEARCH GROUP
Gilt Dragon Research Group http://www.giltdragon.com.au
Gilt Dragon Research Group is a volunteer group of Scientists, headed by Steve Caffery, seeking to digitally record any and all information related to the Gilt Dragon wreck off the coast of Western Australia in 1656.
The Gilt Dragon Research Group take digital images of artefacts in private collections, record stories of adventure and discovery and preserve this information for future generations.
They do this because most artifacts were discovered in the 1960's causing a surge of interest and discovery. With time, many items of historical significance have been lost, relics are being used as doorstops, coins have been hidden away, and exciting stories of adventure have been forgotten. We wish to record images of artefacts and stories of discovery before they are lost forever.
The Gilt Dragon Research Group take digital images of artefacts in private collections, record stories of adventure and discovery and preserve this information for future generations.
They do this because most artifacts were discovered in the 1960's causing a surge of interest and discovery. With time, many items of historical significance have been lost, relics are being used as doorstops, coins have been hidden away, and exciting stories of adventure have been forgotten. We wish to record images of artefacts and stories of discovery before they are lost forever.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BRONZE CANNON?
I saw & touched at least one bronze cannon on the wreck.
In trying to find out I came across a W.A. Museum publication that said there were no bronze cannon on the Gilt Dragon (?) I have not received a reply to my comment to them regarding the fact that I had seen and touched at least one bronze cannon on the wreck.
VOC CANNON FOR SALE!
2017 UPDATE: THE CANNON SUPERSTORE DEFUNCT
Screen Capture - Cannon Superstore.
I came across a dealer - The Cannon Superstore
who did not know of any cannon from the 1656 Gilt Dragon but did tell me they have bought a lot of cannon from Australia (??)
On there website they say:
All Dutch VOC cannons are in great demand from collectors around the world and we sell them VERY FAST! Most of the ones we acquire are sold before they even appear on this website. If you want one of the cannons listed on this page - please do not hesitate to contact us or let us know exactly what you are looking for! This page changes almost every day. If you are looking for a reasonably priced VOC cannon, please bookmark this page and come back often!
who did not know of any cannon from the 1656 Gilt Dragon but did tell me they have bought a lot of cannon from Australia (??)
On there website they say:
All Dutch VOC cannons are in great demand from collectors around the world and we sell them VERY FAST! Most of the ones we acquire are sold before they even appear on this website. If you want one of the cannons listed on this page - please do not hesitate to contact us or let us know exactly what you are looking for! This page changes almost every day. If you are looking for a reasonably priced VOC cannon, please bookmark this page and come back often!
Response to a question:
2nd January 2015
Allan Robinson's book
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Regarding information wanted on Allan Robinson's book.
The question was: what did I think of Allan's Book: 'Treasure is not for the Finder' |
My answer
To me the book filled in a lot of gaps during the time that I was in the Army (National Service) and lost I track of him.
Years later & the last time I saw Allan was on his birthday when I bumped into him in Subiaco. I jokingly said that I did not have a present for him. He opened the boot of his car and said
''I have a present for you!" opened a box and handed me a copy of his book which he had just picked up from the printers.
He signed it for me & that was it.
Sadly then I have since lost it. Perhaps lent it to someone?
The book could be a good investment & a good read.
I found it was a little bitter & lacked Allan's usual great sense of humour. I liked Allan & I am indebted to him for risking his life to save mine on the wreck of the Gilt Dragon. Rex Woodmore
To me the book filled in a lot of gaps during the time that I was in the Army (National Service) and lost I track of him.
Years later & the last time I saw Allan was on his birthday when I bumped into him in Subiaco. I jokingly said that I did not have a present for him. He opened the boot of his car and said
''I have a present for you!" opened a box and handed me a copy of his book which he had just picked up from the printers.
He signed it for me & that was it.
Sadly then I have since lost it. Perhaps lent it to someone?
The book could be a good investment & a good read.
I found it was a little bitter & lacked Allan's usual great sense of humour. I liked Allan & I am indebted to him for risking his life to save mine on the wreck of the Gilt Dragon. Rex Woodmore
GILT DRAGON COINS - ILLEGAL TRADING
Today Tonight video.
Gilt Dragon Coins
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Piece of eight
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THE GILT DRAGON WRECK SITE in 2015
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Dave Jackson Published on Feb 26, 2015
www.facebook.com/divingwawrecks Diving the wreck site of the 1656 shipwreck of the Vergulde Draeck, also known as the Gilt Dragon. Wrecked off Ledge Point north of Perth in Western Australia. |
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The site has been fully excavated and all that is left on the site it the cannons, anchors and some scattered building bricks. Photos included from the Western Australian Maritime Museum, Shipwreck Galleries Vergulde Draeck display.
DIVING ON SHIPWRECKS
THE LEGALITIES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
ILT DRAGON DIVING - PRIOR TO THE MUSEUM AMENDMENT ACT 1964
Before the Museum Amendment Act of 1964 had been introduced, the wreck of the Gilt Dragon was visited and dived on by many individuals including:
John Cowen; Allan Robinson; Jim, Alan and Graeme Henderson, who were the five spear-fishermen who discovered the wreck (Graeme Henderson, is now the director of the WA Maritime Museum) followed by many individuals including local Cray fishermen, Divers from the Police diving squad, Navy divers and the Underwater Explorers club of Western Australia, including me (Rex Woodmore).
During this time (prior to the shipwrecks act as it became known) and within the existing, or rather the non-existing, Maritime Archaeology laws of the time, many souvenirs were taken from the wreck. Later the museum requested that all items from wrecks, older than 1910, be taken to the museum for cataloguing. After which they were returned, together with valuable museum certification (at no cost) to the finders.
Prior to the museums involvement, souveniring by many individuals from all walks of life and salvage operations carried out by Allan Robinson, were considered to be quite legal. Unfortunately in the eyes of modern marine archaeologists it is considered and perhaps unfairly referred to as ‘’Looting”. If it was looting then the souvenirs would not have been returned to the so called ‘’looters’’ with the added value of museum certification, nor would Gilt Dragon artefacts seized by the C.I.B. from Allan Robinson have ever been returned to him.
According to the WA Museum:
The discovery of the Vergulde Draeck and the other significant pre-colonial wrecks was the catalyst for the development of maritime archaeology in Western Australia., a globally acknowledged centre of excellence in maritime archaeology.
The Museum has undertaken extensive excavation work at the Vergulde Draeck site and has painstakingly removed and conserved a wide range of material. The collection includes African elephant tusks, ballast bricks, beard man jugs, ceramic masks and medallions, clay tobacco pipes, bronze and brass utensils, various tools, glass bottles, an astrolabe and many silver coins.
When the secluded and pretty little township at the mouth of the Moore River was finally formally gazetted in 1951, the historian Henrietta Drake-Brockman recommended that it be named Guilderton in honour of the 'Gilt Dragon' and the thousands of guilders worth of silver coins it was carrying.
Before the Museum Amendment Act of 1964 had been introduced, the wreck of the Gilt Dragon was visited and dived on by many individuals including:
John Cowen; Allan Robinson; Jim, Alan and Graeme Henderson, who were the five spear-fishermen who discovered the wreck (Graeme Henderson, is now the director of the WA Maritime Museum) followed by many individuals including local Cray fishermen, Divers from the Police diving squad, Navy divers and the Underwater Explorers club of Western Australia, including me (Rex Woodmore).
During this time (prior to the shipwrecks act as it became known) and within the existing, or rather the non-existing, Maritime Archaeology laws of the time, many souvenirs were taken from the wreck. Later the museum requested that all items from wrecks, older than 1910, be taken to the museum for cataloguing. After which they were returned, together with valuable museum certification (at no cost) to the finders.
Prior to the museums involvement, souveniring by many individuals from all walks of life and salvage operations carried out by Allan Robinson, were considered to be quite legal. Unfortunately in the eyes of modern marine archaeologists it is considered and perhaps unfairly referred to as ‘’Looting”. If it was looting then the souvenirs would not have been returned to the so called ‘’looters’’ with the added value of museum certification, nor would Gilt Dragon artefacts seized by the C.I.B. from Allan Robinson have ever been returned to him.
According to the WA Museum:
The discovery of the Vergulde Draeck and the other significant pre-colonial wrecks was the catalyst for the development of maritime archaeology in Western Australia., a globally acknowledged centre of excellence in maritime archaeology.
The Museum has undertaken extensive excavation work at the Vergulde Draeck site and has painstakingly removed and conserved a wide range of material. The collection includes African elephant tusks, ballast bricks, beard man jugs, ceramic masks and medallions, clay tobacco pipes, bronze and brass utensils, various tools, glass bottles, an astrolabe and many silver coins.
When the secluded and pretty little township at the mouth of the Moore River was finally formally gazetted in 1951, the historian Henrietta Drake-Brockman recommended that it be named Guilderton in honour of the 'Gilt Dragon' and the thousands of guilders worth of silver coins it was carrying.
WHEN I AM NOT TREASURE HUNTING I PRODUCE PAINTINGS OF TREES, BIRDS & ANIMALS
Brolgas Browsing by Rex Woodmore
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Kids Kite by Rex Woodmore
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Rex Woodmore
Email Rex Woodmore:
art@mail-me.com
art@mail-me.com
