Batavia Shipwreck Historical Novel Extract - Zevanck Battles the Defenders

In 1629, the Dutch merchant ship Batavia was wrecked in the Houtman's Abrolhos, a desert chain of islands off the coast of Western Australia. Its commander, the upper-merchant Francisco Pelsaert, undertook a harrowing voyage in the ship's longboat to get help from the Dutch on Java. Meanwhile, his second-in-command, the under-merchant Jeronimus Corneliszoon, used his charisma, cruel personality and mutinous followers to set up a brutal, personal rule over the other survivors who were awaiting Pelsaert's return.

A small group of soldiers, led by a man named Wiebbe Hayes, rebelled against Corneliszoon's tyranny, building a fort on a nearby island and harboring fugitives from the under-merchant's camp. Eventually, Corneliszoon sent his lieutenant, David Zevanck, to try and wipe them out. This extract describes the second of two battles between Zevanck and the Defenders.

I originally wrote this novel as part of a school project (the IB Personal Project), and am now working on the second draft (hoping to get it published some day - with a bit of luck!).

All music used in the background is by the film music composer Hans Zimmer (whose music I am addicted to). The name of the song is always given at the bottom of the picture. Sorry if the sudden increase in volume at the end surprises/deafens you.

P.S. I swear to you, this story is 100% based on historical fact. All I have done is dramatized the events, so to speak, creating personalities and interactions for the characters. The entire storyline, practically, is taken from the pages of history.

P.P.S. This is from the first draft, by no means perfect. BUT feedback is very much appreciated so that I can improve!

P.P.P.S. If my voice annoys you - sorry. But I can't change anything about that :(

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• batavia
• ship
• mutiny
• history
• book
• extract
• novel
• shipwreck
• wreck
• 1629
• houtman's
• abrolhos
• islands
• australia
• david
• zevanck
• mutineers
• francisco
• pelsaert
• jeronimus
• corneliszoon
• wiebbe
• hayes
• defenders
• battle
• war
• hans
• zimmer
• background
• music
• budget
• meeting
• king
• arthur

[RichardKleiner]

You're voice isn't annoying. "Why so Serious?" is.

Pretty awesome. You say it's actually historical fact? Pretty damn awesome.

[JoeSnyderwalk]

I'll admit that "Why So Serious?" does get on my nerves, usually, but it's useful for trying to create an unsettling atmosphere.

As for the story, well, we do know what I wrote in the description - we know that this battle took place, and all of my characters are based on historical figures. But the battle's details are mine.

It's really quite an awesome story, isn't it? Thanks for listening :)

[T3KN0DB]

the book was the best thing i EVER read

no why isnt this filmed???