On 19 January 1725, the Akerendam set out from the island of Texel in the Netherlands accompanied by two sister ships. Their cargo consisted of 19 chests of gold and silver coins and their destination was Batavia (Djakarta). During a storm in the North Sea, the Akerendam was separated from its escorts and foundered at the northernmost point of the island Runde.
The Akerendam was owned by the Dutch company
Vereinigte Oostindische Compagnie, which was heavily involved in trade
with the Far East.
Read about: the
Shipwreck, Salvage 1725, Salvage
1972, Overview, Cleaning
The ships would return from the East with spices and other prized products that were sold throughout Europe.
The Akerendam, which was built in 1724,
was 145 feet (44 meters) and had a crew of 200.
