Description
Rare c.18th chart of Australia and Pacific, from the first issue of Jean-Francois de Galaup, comte de La Perouse’s, Atlas du Voyage de La Perouse 1741-1788.
The chart shows part of the Great Pacific Ocean with the route of the Spanish frigate La Princesa Commanded by D Franc. Antonio Maurelle in 1781. Australia is shown from north of Cape Byron with James Cook’s nomeculture and discoveries made on his first voyage. La Perouse was last seen outside the heads at Botany Bay on the same day as Phillip entered Botany Bay in January 1788. La Perouse was unable to enter the bay due to gale. The mystery of his disappearance was solved by Dumont D’Urville after he found arms and clothing belonging to the La Perouse expedition. La Perouse’s ships; the La Boussole and the Astrolabe had struck an unknown reef off the island in 1788.
