The Unfortunate Voyage of the Batavia - Episode 7: Terra Hayesia
In the history of European military aggression in Australia, this is where it all began. For the people that remain alive following the doomed voyage of the Batavia, not to mention the shipwreck and then the genocide that followed, they now have to face a civil war.
The loyalist soldiers, who have managed to find water, must now defend themselves against the murderous mutineers who hold dominion over the rest of the population.
You may think this whole story could not descend further down the wombat-hole of cruel absurdity. But we know you've also been paying very close attention. You know where this is going...
Extra Stuff
The mutineers control the island Batavia's Graveyard. The defenders, meanwhile, have built forts and are prepared to defend their stronghold, on the island labelled Wiebbe's Island (Today it is called West-Wallabi Island). From here, they could wade to the High Island, where they'd found a fresh water spring.
Their little yawl, the best vessel amongst all the survivors, is kept secretly on the north-side of Wiebbe's Island. It is obvious that any rescue ship will approach from the north, so the defenders know that they must row their yawl around the high island, and hopefully be the first to gain the attention of the rescuers.
Fort Resistance
The defenders on the high islands built two small forts out of loose, flat rocks that they had collected. Their remnants can still be seen today (the island now being known as West Wallabi Island)
These forts are not only a testament to the cohesive and organised spirit of the resistance under Wiebbe Hayes, but also stand as evidence of how early European engagement took place in Australia. They are the first recorded European constructions built in Australia. This was 141 years before James Cook made contact with the East Coast, which until relatively recently was widely taught in schools as the first European discovery of Australia. The incident of the Batavia survivors,on the Houtman's Abrolhos islands contributed greatly towards changing that historical perspective.A Flagon of the Good Stuf