Batavia's Graveyard - Mike Dash [204]
Exhaustion of the food supplies Again, there is no explicit mention of this in the journals, but it is my impression that earlier authors have probably understated the effects of food shortages on Batavia’s Graveyard. Even at the end of the mutiny, when the numbers of people on the island had been reduced to only 50 or so, strict rationing was still in force there (Interrogation of Jeronimus Cornelisz, JFP 17 Sep 1629 [DB 159]), and Wiebbe Hayes and his men were surprised at how gaunt their attackers were (anonymous letter of 11 Dec 1629 [R 233]). Shortages probably began within the first fortnight; the Zeewijk survivors wiped out the sea lion population on their much larger island within 10 days of coming ashore (Boranga, op. cit., p. 34). There were fewer than 100 of them (Edwards, op. cit., p. 103), and the position of the Batavia survivors was surely thus even more desperate. The “seal’s meat” noted as being present in the predikant’s tent six weeks later (Verdict on Andries Liebent, JFP 30 Nov 1629 [DB 244]) probably came from elsewhere, after the party’s mobility had been restored by the construction of the rafts.
“. . . they deferred to him.” This is speculation on my part, but Jeronimus’s outburst on 4 July, when the council defied him (see below), seems typical of a man who had come to expect that his proposals would be obeyed without question.
Cornelisz joins the Council Philippe Godard states (The First and Last Voyage of the Batavia (Perth: Abrolhos Publishing, nd, c. 1993), p. 132, that Jeronimus was never a member of the first ship’s council, but Pelsaert, in his “Declaration in Short,” op. cit. [DB 251], says specifically that the council was “his” on 4 July, i.e., before the dismissal of the first set of councillors and the appointment of Zevanck, Van Huyssen, and Pietersz to the group. Bastiaensz, in LGB, wrote that the under-merchant was “elected chief.” It would, indeed, have been remarkable—given his seniority—if the apothecary had not become the leader of the raad.
Pelsaert’s clothing JFP 19 Sep 1629 [DB 146].
“He seemed to be everywhere . . .” This behavior is inferred from Bastiaensz’s statements and from modern insights into the psychopathic personality (see epilogue). Exactly what the under-merchant really did during this period was not recorded and cannot now be known.
“This merchant . . .” LGB.
Ryckert Woutersz “Declaration in Short,” op. cit. [DB 251]. Jeronimus alleged that Woutersz had spoken up “on the day that the ship Batavia was wrecked”; confession of Jeronimus Cornelisz, JFP 19 Sep 1629 [DB 162]. On the obscure fate of this mutineer, see chapter 9.
Hopes that Ariaen would dispose of Pelsaert and flee to Malacca Interrogation of Jan Hendricxsz, JFP 19 Sep 1629 [DB 164].
Cornelisz’s estimate of the jacht’s crew Summary of the interrogation of Jeronimus Cornelisz, JFP 28 Sep 1629 [DB 153].
The plan to seize the rescue ship JFP 17 Sep 1629 [DB 143]; JFP 28 Sep 1629 [DB 152–3].
Seductive LGB.
Van Welderen’s age Gsbert was younger than his brother, Olivier, who was 22. Verdict on Olivier van Welderen, JFP 30 Nov 1629 [DB 245]
Rutger Fredricx Interrogation of Rutger Fredricx, JFP 20 Sep 1629 [DB 205].
“Appear not to have been approached . . .” There is an evident discrepancy between the number of mutineers said to have been active on the Batavia (not more than 12–15) and the numbers who revealed themselves in the Abrolhos (25–35).
David Zevanck Unfortunately, nothing at all is known of Zevanck’s background. He presumably came from Zevanck (modern Zevang), which is a rural area a little to the north of Amsterdam, but without more detailed information it would be useless—or at least extremely time-consuming—to try to trace his antecedents; nor has anyone yet found his name mentioned in the earlier records of the VOC. It is, indeed, quite possible that he was making his maiden voyage on the Batavia. That he came from a good family is almost certain—on several occasions he is referred to as “Van Zevanck” in the journals, which suggests his family owned some property