SEVERAL artefacts believed to be from the ship Vergulde Draeck, wrecked off the coast of Western Australia in 1656, have been returned to the Western Australian Museum.

Vergulde Draeck struck a reef south of Ledge Point on 28 April in 1656. Seventy-five of the 193 crew and passengers made it to the shore.

Several attempts were made at the time to search for the wreckage and survivors. None were successful; however, other boats and lives were lost as part of these attempts.

The wreck was the first of the Dutch and English East India ships found on the Western Australian coast.

It was discovered by five spearfishermen (John Cowen; Jim, Alan and Graeme Henderson; and Alan Robinson) in April 1963.

Culture and Arts Minister David Templeman accepted the artefacts from finders Leon Pule and Hanneley Tredoux on behalf of the Western Australian Museum on Thursday (24 November).

The finds may confirm the existence of another shore-based site related to the possible fate of the Vergulde Draeck survivors.

The WA Museum’s maritime archaeologists plan to further investigate the artefacts, which are believed to be musket balls and spring shot.

Culture and the Arts minister David Templeman thanked Leon Pule and Hanneley Tredoux for returning the artefacts to the museum.

“This will enable our expert maritime archaeologists to examine the artefacts, and the site where they were found, to learn more about the fate of the Vergulde Draeck and its crew,” he said.

“WA has a fascinating maritime history and it is so exciting to see the stories come to light every time something new is found.”

And Fremantle MLA Simon McGurk said people travel from across the world to see the maritime artefacts held in Fremantle.

“I am so pleased to hear that these artefacts have been presented to the WA Shipwrecks Museum, and am sure many people will want to see them once they are ready for display.”

Visiting Metals Conservator Tamar Davidowitz from the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands, will examine the artefacts on behalf of the Western Australian Museum to provide assistance in confirming their origins.