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- Mar 7, 2019
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The ship ‘Zeewijk’ was constructed for the Zeeland Chamber of the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C.) in 1725. The vessel, commanded by Jan Steyns and a crew of 212, departed for Batavia (modern day Jakarta) on the 7th November 1726, with a cargo of 315,836 guilders in ten chests on her maiden voyage. The ‘Zeewijk’ was wrecked on the Half Moon Reef of the Pelsaert group of the Houtman Abrolhos Islands on the 9th June 1727. This group of islands consist of 122 very low lying islands situated 80km off the West Australian coast near the town of Geraldton. Unlike the calamitous story of the ‘Batavia’ wreck of the 4th of June 1629, which occurred only a few Km north, 98 years previously, a large number of people survived for 10 months on nearby Gun Island. During this time they were able to construct a sloop from the wreckage, large enough to carry eighty eight men, the entire 3 tonnes of coinage, several tonnes of water as well as provisions. They departed the Abrolhos Islands on the 21st April and reached Batavia on 30 April 1728 with 82 survivors.
The construction of my model began around four years ago with the assistance of Mr Ab Hoving, suggesting that it be based on the ‘Padmos’ model in the Maritime museum of Rotterdam. There does not appear to be any drawings or images of the ‘Zeewijk’. The photos obtained were an excellent source of details in every respect. These web addresses are as below.
https://artsandculture.google.com/a...en-padmos-and-blijdorp-unknown/MwHZ8Jmk2mKj3Q
and also
https://www.maritiemdigitaal.nl/index.cfm?event=search.getdetail&id=100145904
The ‘Zeewijk’ was built on the scale of 1/72 so that it can be compared with my previous model of the ‘Batavia’ currently held in a private collection. It has taken around 4000 hours of work and has given me a great sense of satisfaction. The model will also be on display with my model of the ‘Batavia’.on facebook on. https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=Zeewijk
Using all the photos and details provided, I was able to draw up a set of plans for the construction of my model.. The rigging was especially difficult due to its complexity but the web photos were totally essential in completing this model to the standard that I was aiming at. The attached photos will give you an idea of how the build progressed to the final completion in May 2025. Photos of the following models assisted in the background of research into this build, particularly in regard to the rigging of this model.
The “Padmos”… 54 gun ship of 1723.
The “Den Ary”… 44 gun ship of 1715.
The “Valkenisse”… 60 gun ship of 1717.
The “Rooswijk” …38 gun ship of 1737.
The “Vergelijking” …40 gun ship 0f 1780.
The one thing that I must mention is that Mr Ab Hoving has commented on the Dutch sailing ships having a hand painted waterline and therefore should not be quite as sharp as shown on many models. Artistic license will just not allow me to follow his advice, and accordingly I have used masking tape and have followed this incorrect tradition. I am 78 years old and have been building model ships since I was 14 years and will continue to use masking tape as long as I am able to read a set of plans and beat arthritis. The following photos show my construction method, plank on frame, rather than shell first. I trust Mr Hoving does not mind me mentioning his name.
The construction of my model began around four years ago with the assistance of Mr Ab Hoving, suggesting that it be based on the ‘Padmos’ model in the Maritime museum of Rotterdam. There does not appear to be any drawings or images of the ‘Zeewijk’. The photos obtained were an excellent source of details in every respect. These web addresses are as below.
https://artsandculture.google.com/a...en-padmos-and-blijdorp-unknown/MwHZ8Jmk2mKj3Q
and also
https://www.maritiemdigitaal.nl/index.cfm?event=search.getdetail&id=100145904
The ‘Zeewijk’ was built on the scale of 1/72 so that it can be compared with my previous model of the ‘Batavia’ currently held in a private collection. It has taken around 4000 hours of work and has given me a great sense of satisfaction. The model will also be on display with my model of the ‘Batavia’.on facebook on. https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=Zeewijk
Using all the photos and details provided, I was able to draw up a set of plans for the construction of my model.. The rigging was especially difficult due to its complexity but the web photos were totally essential in completing this model to the standard that I was aiming at. The attached photos will give you an idea of how the build progressed to the final completion in May 2025. Photos of the following models assisted in the background of research into this build, particularly in regard to the rigging of this model.
The “Padmos”… 54 gun ship of 1723.
The “Den Ary”… 44 gun ship of 1715.
The “Valkenisse”… 60 gun ship of 1717.
The “Rooswijk” …38 gun ship of 1737.
The “Vergelijking” …40 gun ship 0f 1780.
The one thing that I must mention is that Mr Ab Hoving has commented on the Dutch sailing ships having a hand painted waterline and therefore should not be quite as sharp as shown on many models. Artistic license will just not allow me to follow his advice, and accordingly I have used masking tape and have followed this incorrect tradition. I am 78 years old and have been building model ships since I was 14 years and will continue to use masking tape as long as I am able to read a set of plans and beat arthritis. The following photos show my construction method, plank on frame, rather than shell first. I trust Mr Hoving does not mind me mentioning his name.
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