A Chart of a Track of Land in the Southe…

Scarce c.18th map of New Georgia, the largest island of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands charted by Lieutenant John Shortland.

Shortland’s squadron, was the first ships of the First Fleet to reach Botany Bay, on 17 January 1788. Shortland remained at Port Jackson until 14 July, when he sailed for England in the Alexander, carrying the first dispatches of Governor Phillip to the secretary of state. The Alexander was accompanied by the Borrowdale, Prince of Wales and Friendship, the last being later abandoned. On the voyage by way of Batavia Shortland discovered and charted many islands and reefs, including the dangerous Middleton Shoal, sighted but did not identify the Solomon Islands, and after a most adventurous voyage arrived back in England in May 1789. During his absence he had kept a full journal of transactions which was highly valued by the authorities. He strongly urged the Admiralty to have the eastern coast of Australia properly charted and was thus, to some extent, responsible for the subsequent dispatch of Matthew Flinders in the Investigator.

References:
Ferguson, J. A. Bibliography of Australia Volumes 1-8, Canberra 1976 47.
Wantrup, J. Australian Rare Books. Sydney 1987 #5. pp.59-64, pp.127-128, p.345-5, ill. p.63.
McCormick, T. First Views of Australia 1788-1825. Sydney 1987.
Tooley, R.V. Mapping of Australia. London 1979: 1586

Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 1721473
State Library Victoria: RARELTF 994.02 P54V
National Gallery Victoria: Bib ID 1807715
British Library London: Shelfmark: C.47.i.10.
Royal Collection Trust UK: RCIN 1142204
State Library New South Wales: RECORD IDENTIFIER 74VvA2Z8rj5O
State Library South Australia: Special Collection 994.402 P557 b
State Library of Western Australia: Call no: Q 994.02 PHI
State Library Queensland: RBQ 919.404 VOY