A Dutch Twist (afternoon of 30th July)

This monument down by the wharf commemorates Mr O'Connor who set out the township, and for those early days he seems to have done a splendid job.

We  visited the Ship wreck museum. This was fascinating as they had an extensive display of the wreck of the Batavia (from the Netherlands)which stranded on a reef in  1629. I can see why Australia was nearly called New Holland with several Dutch vessels nearly making a settlement nearly a century before the British.

Reconstructed hull

A variety of hand made nails

A pair of scissors calcified from being on the reef.

Model of the type of ship that the Batavia was.

And why did it sink? Probably because this stone archway stored in pieces was in the hold so that when they did start a settlement they would have a grand entranceway!!! Incredible!!

Then we walked to the Round House which was a sentry and a prison. Curved rooms which echoed Andrea and Todd's place in a way.

The bells to relay the time and events of the day.