Preview

PDF lord-history-ma...pdf | Download (974kB) Available under University of Tasmania Standard License.

Abstract

Historically speaking, the discovery of Tasmania is
of recent date, but even so, we lack many details of
the early expeditions, and there were probably many
early navigators of Australian seas of whom we know
nothing. Even in modern days, navigation is not exempt
from danger, although all the main routes have been
carefully charted, and the advent of steam power has
revolutionised the art of seamanship. The early explorers,
however, sailed their small vessels along unknown
coasts, and amidst uncharted reefs.
It
must also be remembered that the discoveries of many
of the early explorers were not made known to the world
for many years. Each expedition was working for its
own country or company, and in some cases the results
of the voyages were carefully guarded for the sake of self
interest from a national standpoint. It was not for many
years after his death that Tasmans work as an explorer
became known, and the details of his stay at Tasmania,
and incidentally the discovery of Maria Island, were given
to the world.
The exploring ships coming from the west - the more
settled portions of the old world - nearly all followed on
Tasmans tracks. Making their landfall on the rugged
coasts of the south-western portion of Tasmania, or, as it
was known of old, as the southern portion of Terra Australis,
and then sailing east Until they reached the quieter
waters of our east coast. Maria Island will always be
connected with the early era of discovery, and the more
one visits this locality, the greater the desire becomes
to gain some knowledge of its early history. This was so
in my own case, and what information I have gathered
has been incorporated in the present paper in order that
other's who are interested may have the information available
should they desire to take advantage of it.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Lord, Clive Errol
Keywords:	Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title:	Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
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.
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

Actions (login required)

Item Control Page