Contains translations and transcriptions of several documents of importance in Australia geographical history with learned commentary.

Excerpt from Early Voyages to Terra Australis, Now Called Australia: A Collection of Documents, and Extracts From Early Manuscript Maps, Illustrative of the History of Discovery on the Coasts of That Vast Island, From the Beginning of the Sixteenth Century to the Time of Captain Cook The remainder of this curious conversation, however apparently fabulous, deserves attention from the thoughtful reader. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This two-volume work provides the first edited publication of Matthew Flinders’s fair journals from the circumnavigation of Australia in 1801-1803 in HMS Investigator, and of the ’Memoir’ he wrote to accompany his journals and charts. These are among the most important primary texts in Australian maritime history and European voyaging in the Pacific. Flinders was the first explorer to circumnavigate Australia. He was also largely responsible for giving Australia its name. His voyage was supported by the Admiralty, the Navy Board, the East India Company and the patronage of Sir Joseph Banks, President of the Royal Society. Banks ensured that the Investigator expedition included scientific gentlemen to document Australia’s flora, fauna, geology and landscape features. The botanist Robert Brown, botanical painter Ferdinand Bauer, landscape artist William Westall and the gardener Peter Good were all members of the voyage. After landfall at Cape Leeuwin, Flinders sailed anti-clockwise round the whole continent, returning to Port Jackson when the ship became unseaworthy. After a series of misfortunes, including a shipwreck and a long detention at the Ile de France (now Mauritius), Flinders returned to England in 1810. He devoted the last four years of his life to preparing A Voyage to Terra Australis, published in two volumes, and an atlas. Flinders died on 19 July 1814 at the age of forty. The fair journals edited here comprise a daily log with full nautical information and ’remarks’ on the coastal landscape, the achievements of previous navigators in Australian waters, encounters with Aborigines and Macassan trepangers, naval routines, scientific findings, and Flinders’s surveying and charting. The journals also include instructions for the voyage and some additional correspondence. The ’Memoir’ explains Flinders’ methodology in compiling his journals and charts and the purpose and content of his surveys.

Embark on a thrilling journey through time with Richard Henry Major's remarkable collection, "Early Voyages To Terra Australis Now Called Australia." This extraordinary anthology compiles rare documents and extracts from early manuscript maps, shedding light on the history of exploration and discovery along the vast coasts of Australia from the sixteenth century to the era of Captain Cook. As you delve into these historical accounts, consider this: What inspired explorers to venture into the unknown, and what secrets did they uncover? Major's meticulous curation offers insights into the motivations and experiences of these intrepid voyagers, revealing the complexities of their journeys. But here's the question that will intrigue you: How did these early explorations shape our understanding of Australia today? Each document and map serves as a window into the past, illustrating the evolution of knowledge about this vast and diverse land. With vivid narratives and rich illustrations, this collection not only highlights the adventures of explorers but also uncovers the cultural exchanges and conflicts that arose during these pivotal encounters. Prepare to be transported to an era of daring exploration and discovery! Are you ready to uncover the hidden stories of Australia’s early voyages? This anthology is more than just a historical record; it's an invitation to explore the legacy of exploration that continues to influence our world today. Don’t miss your chance to own this essential volume. Will you embark on the journey through "Early Voyages To Terra Australis Now Called Australia"? Secure your copy of "Early Voyages To Terra Australis Now Called Australia" now, and set sail on a fascinating exploration of history!