The Vergulde Draeck (pronounced [vɛrˈɣʏldə ˈdraːk]), also spelled Vergulde Draak and Vergulde Draek (meaning Gilt Dragon), was a 41.8-metre (137 ft), 260-tonne (290-ton) ship constructed in 1653 by the Dutch East India Company (Dutch: Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie, commonly abbreviated to VOC).[1][2] The ship was lost off the coast of western Australia in 1656, with a minority of its crew reaching shore, and only seven subsequently reaching civilization.