HOUTMAN ABROLHOS ISLANDS. 131 



have already been visited by one or two collectors. They were discovered by 

 the Dutch navigator Houtman in the year 1619, but the name Abrolhos is a 

 contraction of a Portuguese phrase meaning "keep your eyes open." They 

 are now more frequently called the Abrolhos Islands. The West coast of 

 Australia was known before this date, and Saville Kent is quite incorrect 

 in stating that it was Pelsart's discovery of the Abrolhos (1629) that led 

 to the " earliest recorded discovery of the great island-continent of Australia."' 



The wreck of Pelsart's ship (one of the Dutch East Indian Co.'s vessels) 

 in 1629, led to one of the most romantic episodes in the early history of 

 West Australian exploration. 



Pelsart in command of the 'Batavia' left Texel on October 28th, 1628, 

 for the East Indies in company with several other ships, all of which were 

 equipped and commissioned by the Directors of the Dutch East India 

 Company. The ships became separated and the ' Batavia,' continuing her 

 course alone, got among the coral reefs of the Abrolhos Islands and struck 

 before sunrise on June 4th, 1629. Trouble followed thick and fast, and the 

 tribulation of the passengers was accentuated by the drunkenness and 

 disorderly conduct of the soldiers and sailors. The ship's company were, 

 however, eventually landed on two of the small islands of the lagoon in the 

 Pelsart Atoll, and much of the provisions and treasure was also salved. 

 Unfortunately, there was a great lack of water, and as we have already seen, 

 little or none is to be obtained on these islands. This trouble accentuated 

 the spirit of unrest which had broken out, and Pelsart finally decided to set 

 out and seek for water. A section of his crew appeared to be very ripe 

 for mutiny. 



For a few days the islands were investigated for water with little success, 

 and then Pelsart set off to the mainland. The mainland, however, seemed to 

 offer no better prospects, and for some time the men were unable to land 

 owing to the surf. Drifting northwards some of the crew eventually made a 

 landing by swimming ashore, but an inhospitable country dispelled all hopes, 

 and ultimately Pelsart decided to make for Batavia in order to seek 

 assistance and report to the Governor the misfortunes which had befallen 

 them. He reached that place safely on July 5th, after a journey of upwards 

 of 1700 miles in an open boat. 



Tragic events had in the meantime taken place at the Abrolhos Islands. 

 The Supercargo of Pelsart's ship, a thorough villain, named Corueiis, 

 resolved to take up the life of a pirate on the high sens. To this end, he and 

 his accomplices determined to murder in cold blood all the ship's company 

 (220 souls) with the exception of about 38, and then capture the rescue 

 vessel which Pelsart was expected to bring back with him. By this time the 

 passengers, soldiers, and crew were occupying three of the lagoon islands, 

 some of them having moved to the third in search of water. Cornells and 

 his company were on the largest island. The murders were carried out on 



