Abel Tasman’s Anchor

A documentary about the explorer Abel Tasman and the expedition to recover his anchor off the coast of Tasmania.

On 4 December 1642 most of the anchor of Tasman’s ship the “Heemskerck” was left behind on the seabed off the south-east coast of Tasmania. After twenty years of research, Dutch East India Company and Tasman expert Grahame Anderson believes he is ready to raise it at last. Interesting, because it could confirm a theory about navigational knowledge in the VOC era. Unique, because this anchor would be the only surviving part of a ship Tasman sailed on.

AVRO Eenvandaag Special, 25 min

Director: Jacco Groen