Notes of P.A. Bik, Made on the Journey from Batavia to Holland, over the So-Called Land Route

Summary

1 January 1847. In the early morning today I embarked in the company of my oldest brother A.J. Bik, his spouse, son Edard and daughter Caroline aboard H.M. Steamship Merapi, Commandant S. Faber Huys. We were seen off by my sons, brothers and other friends and acquaintances, shortly after our arrival aboard the steam was brought into operation, we bade a warm farewell, and left our dear relations to God's blessing and protection. It was good weather, we advanced between 8 and 9 miles, so that we quickly lost sight of the Javanese coast. In the afternoon we passed the Thousand Islands and the North Watcher, steered a course into the Banka Strait.

2 January. Nothing special to note, in the afternoon we arrived in the Banka Strait and in the evening at eleven we dropped anchor by the main town of Banka.

3rd. In the early morning we steamed to Muntok (main town of Banka), on arriving in the roads a boat came to pick up the messages for Banka and Palembang. Muntok provides a beautiful view from sea, Brother Jan in passing made a sketch of it, our stopover lasted only a few minutes whereafter we followed our course. In the afternoon we had a strong headwind accompanied by rain.

4th. Made little progress as a consequence of the high swell of waves from the North. The Merapi is a beautiful steamship, makes little movement, however enough to make the female passengers and children suffer from seasickness. Towards eleven we passed the Line and in the evening steamed into the Riouw Strait, at Riouw Residence two signal shots were given for the pick-up of messages, it was now past midnight.

5 January. In the morning by the break of day the boat arrived, bringing along to take to Singapoer the Captain, two steersmen, ten sailors and a passenger of the Hamburg ship wrecked in the vicinity of Riouw, according to their story the ship had, after ten miles’ travel, sailed into an unknown rock that it however soon got away from but sank immediately, an event of less than a quarter of an hour. The unlucky souls could thus not save nothing and barely had enough time to protect their lives and set out a boat. The people have been furnished with clothes through the generosity of the Resident of Riouw, Mister Andrissen.