Batavia's Graveyard

"With the help of the Batavia's skipper and a group of disgruntled sailors, Jeronimus plots a mutiny that seems certain to be successful but for one unplanned event. In the dark morning hours of 4 June 1629, the Batavia smashes through a coral reef and runs aground in an unexplored chain of islands off the west coast of Australia. The merchant in command of the ship takes the only boat and sets a course for Java, some 1800 miles away, to summon help. Meanwhile, more than 200 survivors are left trapped on the desert island without water, food or shelter. Leaderless, unarmed and unaware of Cornelisz's treachery, they soon find themselves at the mercy of the mutineers."--BOOK JACKET.