184 THE houtman's abrolhos.
APPENDIX, NO. I.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY, AND THE NOBLE COUNCILLORS OF THE NETHER- LANDISH INDIA.
We take the liberty of informing you, that, in sailing from the Cape of Good Hope to Batavia with the company's late ship ZeewycJc, we were wrecked on a reef on the ninth of June, 1727, at seven o'clock in the evening, in the first watch.
The reef against which the vessel struck, is surrounded by a very high and heavy surf, and runs in the shape of a half moon. On the inner side lie many small islands, called Frederick Houtman's Ambrollossen (Abrolhos), which we gained on the eighteenth of June, and upon which we re- mained from that day, until we had fetched from the wreck everything that seemed to us necessary for the preservation of our life, spars, ropes, timber and provisions. As soon as we had got these materials on shore, our carpenter at once set to work with his men, by order of the officers, and by the help of the common people, to build a vessel, so that we might save our lives, if it pleased God. We called it the Sloepie, that is, the little sloop, made up from the wreck of the Zeeivyck. When it was ready for sea, Ave made sail with a south wind and fair weather on the twenty-sixth of March, having with us the money chests of the company, as well as provisions for the voyage. We continued to enjoy favourable weather throughout the voyage, and so arrived by God's blessing, on the twenty-first of April, 1728, in the Straits of Sunda, eighty-two souls, of whom, we herewith sub- join a list for the information of your nobility and council. We beg to wish you and the council from the bottom of our heart, every prosperity and happiness, and present respect- fully our humble services.
Your etc.,
(S.) Jan. Steyns, Jan. Nobbens.
