Islands of angry ghosts : the story of the Batavia
DESCRIPTION
Alternative TitleStory of the BataviaAuthorHugh EdwardsDescriptionIn 1629, the Dutch East India merchantman, the Batavia was wrecked on reef islands off the West Australian coast while on a routine trip to Indonesia. What followed this disaster is a harrowing tale of desertion, betrayal and murder. More than 125 men, women and children were murdered by mutineers caught in a frenzy of bloodlust and greed. By the time the rescue ship finally arrived, months later, the marooned were caught in a desperate battle between soldiers trying to defend the survivors and the mutineers who were desperate to leave no witnesses. More than three hundred years later, Hugh Edwards, a West Australian reporter and diving enthusiast, started to search for the lost ship. When finally found, he discovered the final piece of a story that has gripped Australians for over a century, and a vital link in our history. Island of Angry Ghosts is a story in two parts. The first half traces the final months of the Batavia and her crew, pieced together through journals, letters and trial records. And the second half follows Hugh Edwards and the crew of divers that found, and salvaged, the treasure of the Batavia. This fascinating story has been in print since 1966, and this new edition contains etchings from the time of the Batavia, and photographs of the salvage. Islands of Angry Ghosts is a unique and compelling look at a horrific piece of Australian history.
History of AustraliaImprint[London, U.K.] : A&R Classics, 2013Collationx, 258 pages : illustrations, maps, portraits ; 20 cmLanguageEnglishDate Published2013NotesCover subtitle: Story of the Batavia, Australia's bloodiest mutiny.
First published, London : Hodder and Stoughton, 1966.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 257-258).ISBN9780732297299Dewey Class910.45 EDWPublication FormatBook
Hugh Edwards, Islands of angry ghosts : the story of the Batavia. City of Fremantle Local History Centre, accessed 05/11/2026, https://history.fremantle.wa.gov.au/nodes/view/58315
