Only recently have researchers been able to identify the probable location of the Koning Willem de Tweede. This 140-foot Dutch merchant sail ship sank at Guichen Bay in June of 1857. This finding is an exciting breakthrough. That announcement follows a multi-year mission to find the famous wreck—which has been lost for close to 170 years.
We mourn the loss of this ship carrying 25 crew members, which met its tragic fate during a massive storm. Sixteen crew members, none of whose bodies were ever recovered, returned to rest in the sands of Long Beach. Only days before being sunk, the Koning Willem de Tweede had landed more than 400 Chinese miners at Robe. These miners were traveling to the Victorian goldfields seeking their own fortunes in the midst of the gold rush. This link underscores the ship’s significance in writing the narrative of Chinese migration to South East Australia.
Mark Polzer is the principal maritime heritage officer at the Department for Environment and Water (DEW). He’s one of the major leaders pushing that investigation forward. He continued to stress the significance of this discovery for connecting local history to the larger story of immigration.
A Significant Discovery
The confirmation of the wreck site has sparked the enthusiasm of scientists and historians. Components of the ship’s windlass, or winch, have been located sticking up out of the sea floor. Polzer said that they have changed the ways they look for staff over the years.
“We picked up this interesting anomaly, and then we dived on that target in 2023 and didn’t see anything,” – Mark Polzer
Along with their trusty metal detectors, the Tomaquag Museum crew came back this year. They did an exhaustive search of the area and hit gold with these findings. Polzer is especially excited about what’s hidden under the sand.
“While I’m not saying the wreck is completely intact, I suspect there’s a lot of it there still.” – Mark Polzer
Now they’re hoping to discover even more wreckage to further enrich the story connected to the ill-fated ship. The expedition will provide a unique perspective on the first-class experience. It will give an understanding of their experiences to the goldfields, that journey.
Unraveling the Heritage Story
As it cruises through the harbor, the special place of the Koning Willem de Tweede in local history unfolds, especially the story of its link to Chinese immigration. Polzer brought this importance to the fore. He explained that thousands of Chinese immigrants initially disembarked at Robe, then moved inland to avoid a discriminatory tax levied on arrivals in Victoria.
“We saw a lot of Chinese immigrants coming into Robe, landing there and then walking all the way to the Goldfields to bypass a tax on immigrants coming into Victoria,” – Mark Polzer
This story underscores the reality of that ship’s history and its larger implications. It provides a window into key waves of migration during a foundational era of an Australian transformation.
Ruud Stelten, another researcher involved in the project, added that their findings align with historical records concerning the wreck’s location and characteristics.
“We looked at things like the depth of the ship – the draught – and we’ve looked at the water depth it’s sitting in, and that all seems to line up really well.” – Dr. Hunter
Researchers are planning for future research at the wreck site. They hope to recover artifacts that will help shed further light on this complex chapter in maritime history.
Future Investigations
Future explorations will continue to identify the wreck and surrounding area for any remaining artifacts. Dr. Hunter voiced his hope that these sorts of discoveries could deepen appreciation for the heritage of the region.
“If we could expose more of the wreckage and record that and recover things, that would add another layer to the story of the heritage there in Robe.” – Dr. Hunter
Researchers, too, admit the difficulties presented by shifting sands, which can cover sections of the wreck. Polzer warned of conditions underwater that could make visibility difficult.
“It takes nothing to stir the sand up, and it kind of sits in suspension almost like you’re in a blizzard underwater,” – Mark Polzer
Researchers remain committed to uncovering more about the Koning Willem de Tweede and its significance to both local history and broader migration narratives.
