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Abstract

Abel, Janszoon Tasman was unquestionably one of
the greatest, if not the greatest, of the navigators between
Magellan, who in the early years of the 16th century
first crossed the Pacific Ocean, and Cook, who in the
latter years of the 18th practically opened Oceania, and
Australia to Europe.
Tasman's expedition was probably the first systematic
attempt made by the Dutch to explore the Great South
Land.
Tn the year 1642, however, the Governor-General,
Anthony Van Diemen, and the Council of Netherlands-
India, determined to despatch from Batavia a properly
equipped expedition, having for its sole object the discovery
of the Great Southern Continent.
"This is the furthest land in the South Sea we
met with, and as it has not yet been known to any
European we called it Anthony Van Diemen's Land, m
honour of the Governor-General, our master, who sent
us out to make discoveries."
After the publication of Flinders' atlas some of the
early map-makers endeavoured to restore the names to
their proper localities. For example, The Fredrik Hendrik Bay of Tasmania is now known
as Blackman's Bay.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Walker, James Backhouse
Keywords:	Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title:	Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
ISSN:	0080-4703
Collections:	Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:	In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.
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