The Batavia was built in Amsterdam in 1628 by order of the Dutch East India Company. However, on her maiden voyage, the ship ran aground off the coast of Australia. Most of the 341 crew members managed to reach a small island. Because there was no water or food on the island, commander Pelsaert decided to try to sail to Batavia (nowadays called Jakarta) in a small boat. After he departed from the ship along with some officers, a murderous mutiny began on the island by one of the Company's officials. More than a hundred people were killed by him and his followers. When Pelsaert finally returned, he defeated and arrested the mutineers and took the survivors to Batavia.
In 1970 the wreckage of the Batavia and many artifacts were recovered. Some items, including the ship's stern, are now on display at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle, Australia.
Extensive historical research was done to ensure the authenticity of the ship's reconstruction. The replica was built at the Batavia Werf in Lelystad, the Netherlands. Work began in 1985 and the ship was finally launched on April 7, 1995. Well worth a visit!