The Eerie Remains of an Ill-Fated Ship Still Preserves its Cargo Beneath the Mud

It was a cold January day when a beautiful cargo ship called Amsterdam disappeared under the waters of the English Channel.  When researchers found it once again in 1969 they couldn’t believe its remarkable story.

The ship was a striking cargo ship made of oak and was a source of pride for Dutch shipyards. The ship’s captain was Willem Klump, who was young but experienced. During the 33 years of his life he traveled the seas and oceans. He normally had an impressive crew of 240 people on the Amsterdam.

The shipyard of the Dutch East India Company in Amsterdam around 1750. (Public Domain)

A Beauty for Trade

The vessel was an example of the magnificent skills shipyard masters had in the 18th century. It was built for the famous Dutch East India Company, which owned a large cargo fleet at that time. The Amsterdam was made to travel from Europe to Asia and carry goods like spices, textiles, tools, and other items which were very popular in 18th century Europe.

Each of its trips would take eight months, so the ship was large enough to allow it to hold food for the sailors and still have lots of space for its rich cargo. It is known that the first trip the Amsterdam took was between November 15-19, 1748. However strong and dangerous winds didn’t allow for a full ride and revision of the ship.