The work details the second voyage of Abel Jansen Tasman, aimed at further exploring New Guinea and the unknown coasts of the East and South Lands. This expedition followed earlier Dutch explorations during the presidency of Antony Van Diemen in Batavia. The voyage's objectives included determining whether New Guinea was part of the Great South Land or a separate entity, and to investigate the eastern coast of the Great South Land. Tasman's instructions, dated January 29, 1644, outlined a plan to navigate eastward along the coast of New Guinea, examining potential harbors and searching for a lost treasure from the wreck of the ship Batavia. The voyage was also tasked with assessing the geography of the region, particularly the relationship between New Guinea and the Great South Land, which was still largely uncharted. The narrative emphasizes the confusion surrounding Tasman's discoveries, as later maps often conflated his two voyages. The work notes that the name New Holland was not yet in use during Tasman's time; instead, the land was referred to as the Great or Unknown South Land. The text also discusses the significance of a map created for the Amsterdam Stadt-house, which depicted the known geography of the time, including New Guinea and the Great South Land, and how it contributed to the understanding of these regions. The work concludes by highlighting the importance of Tasman's voyages in expanding geographical knowledge, despite the challenges and uncertainties that surrounded them. The expedition's findings, while not fully realized, played a crucial role in shaping future explorations and the mapping of Australia and its surrounding territories.
By James Burney · First published 1803 · Genre: Historical Non-Fiction, Geography, Travel Literature