The earliest British chart of Tasmania

FURNEAUX, Tobias.

Sketch of Van Diemen Land, Explored by Capt.n Furneaux, in March 1773.
London: Strahan & Cadell, 1777. 240 x 160mm.

The east and south coasts of Tasmania as mapped by Captain Tobias Furneaux, who, as captain of HMS Adventure, accompanied Cook on his Second Voyage around the world. Between February and May 1773 Furneaux was separated from Cook, during which time he visited Tasmania, sketching this chart, the earliest English chart of the island. Many of the names he created still survive and the Furneaux Group of islands in Banks Strait are named after him.

After reuniting with Cook the ships were again separated off New Zealand and the Adventure returned to England, with Omai as passenger. Because of his earlier service with Samuel Wallis, Furneaux was the first man to circumnavigate the world in both directions.


Stock ID : 22434