Gilt Dragon Incident, The

The Vergulde Draeck (Gilt Dragon) a Dutch VOC ship was wrecked on the WA coast in 1656 and discovered in 1963 by a small group of divers, among them Alan Robinson. During the recovery an argument ensued and the underwater wrecksite was dynamited, causing extensive damage. Subsequent involvement of the museum ‘established’ that the wrecks was that of the Gilt Dragon as a result of coins dated 1655. No other evidence as to identity of the ship was found.Recent research revealed that in the original report stated that the ship had wrecked at 30 deg. 40 mins South )Hill River). This did not correspond with where the ship was allegedly found at 31 deg. 16 mins South (Ledge Point). pp. 235 #1116