Reports concerning New South Wales, Queensland, the northern territory of South Australia (which then incorporated the Northern Territory), New Guinea and the Torres Strait by J.W. Ploos van Amstel, Consul-General of the Netherlands for Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania. Ploos van Amstel’s accounts are signed Cardwell [North Queensland]; Sweers Island Read more
In 1910 the HNLMS Koningin Regentes undertook a cruise to Australia to show the flag. Lieutenant Pieren was interviewed re the security in the region both in regarding to Japan and the situation in the Netherlands East Indies,
The first attempts to establish steam shipping lines from Java to Australia date from 1864. Negotiations were initiated by the Chamber of Commerce in Batavia. There was a trial voyage but Parliament voted against the operation as it didn’t see any trading value in such an operation. In 1866 Ambrosius Read more
The following is an abstract – with permission – from the Mitchell Bruce’s website Ferries of Australia Abel Tasman (IMO 7362108) sailed on the Bass Strait between 1985 to 1993. She started life as the Nils Holgersson, built in 1975. She commenced her regular route, linking Travemünde (Germany) to Trelleborg Read more
Abel Tasman – Bermuda Schooner This Bermuda Schooner, derived from the famous “America 1”, designed by George Steer. From this renowned fast yacht from the mid-19th century a few replicas have been built. Though “Abel Tasman” is not a pure replica, she has the same lines. She has been proven Read more
Presentation by Roland Spuij President Dutch Australian Cultural CentreFor the Abel Tasman Museum, Lutjegast on 10 October 2022 See also: Historic Maps of the explorers Maps from the Exhibition Maps of the Pacific. Abel Tasman Abel Tasman Museum Lutjegast, Netherlands
Shortly before noon on Thursday 14 August 1986 the Netherlands Antilles flag heavy lift cargo ship ‘GABRIELLA’ capsized and sank alongside No. 2 Products Berth in Port Kembla harbour New South Wales. The ship capsized and sank on its side very rapidly while discharging a lift of 237.95 tonnes. Two Read more
The KPM steamship Van Heemskerk served as a military transport throughout the critical first year of the Allied campaign in New Guinea. After escaping the Japanese conquest of the Netherlands East Indies, she carried Australian and American troops, military equipment, fuel and ammunition from Australian ports to the fighting front. Read more
The Battle of Milne Bay, fought in August and September 1942, resulted in the first decisive defeat of Japanese land forces during the Pacific War. Australian troops, supported by United States engineers and Allied air power, repelled a Japanese attempt to capture the newly constructed airfields at the eastern end Read more
A new book has been published about the doomed fate of the VOC ship the Batavia in 1629. In this case the historical story forms the background to fiction through the eyes of 9 year old Dutch girl Mayken. Read the review of ”The Night Ship” by Jess Kidd as Read more