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| Day 87 |
02 July 2000 |
| Banda Sea |
| "Which Re-enactment?" |
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We have deviated significantly north of the Duyfken's 1606
track, but spookily enough we have retraced what may have been
her track on her previous voyage in 1602. Scrunched up in front
of me in the cramped aft cabin I have a copy of a VOC chart
drawn in the early 17th century from information gathered on
Duyfken's two voyages as well as another voyage in an unnamed
vessel. The legend in the corner states that the islands from
Seram to the south-east were mapped by Abraham Franken, who was
uppersteersman on Duyfken in 1602.
The islands are drawn quite accurately and are easily
recognisable when the old chart is compared to the modern one we
are using to navigate on. Gorong Island is named the same on
both, and the Watubela group are clearly marked. To draw such an
accurate representation Duyfken must have sailed along the chain
of islands much as we have done today, except she would have
spent considerably longer exploring them.
For us, these islands will remain unknown territory. We have set
our course within a mile of the cliffs and beaches to shelter
from the sea and swell, but we do not stop. As we approach a
village on Kasiui, a crowd of fifty or more people line the
beach to watch us go past. We are just too far off to wave. I
wonder what they make of us.
Patches of clear sky today are a welcome change. Our entire stay
in Banda was under a thick layer of cloud from which poured a
steady stream of rain. Looking into the blue infinity above
Duyfken this afternoon makes me realise just how claustrophobic
the weather has been for the last two weeks. The sea has turned
a sparkling brochure-blue again, the decks are nearly dry, and
all the crew are on deck admiring the passing scenery:
mountainous green islands in the background and the tiny sails
of the islanders' fishing canoes between us and the shore.
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Peter Manthorpe
Master
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