A Chart of the Indian Ocean Improved from the Chart of M D’Apres de Mannevillette; with the Addition of a Part of the Pacific Ocean, as well as of the Original Tracks of the Principal Discoverers, or other Navigators to India and China an in which it has

Rare and important chart extending from Africa to the Navigator Islands (Samoa) with a an extensive chronology of historical claims of discoveries. Published by William Faden, Geographer to the King during Alexander Dalrymple’s tenure as Hydrographer to the Admiralty. The chart contentiously re-attributes many early discoveries to the Spanish and Portuguese. This is especially so for Australia and the east coast of New Zealand, where the claim of the discovery of the entire east coast by James Cook in 1770 is ambiguously noted with the words, &quotNEW SOUTH WALES EXPLORED and NAMED by Cook 1770&quot. Clearly omitted is the word &quotDiscovered&quot, this historical slight is further supported by a number of Portuguese discoveries noted along the same coast including near present day South West Rocks, &quotCosta das Ervas 1550&quot, &quotRio de Muitas Ilhas 1550&quot near present day Fraser Island and &quotCosta perigosa 1550&quot on the section of the coast that Cook had beached the Endeavour for repairs. This chart was obviously made by or from information obtained directly from Dalrymple, as it clearly propagates his theories and the results of his historical researches. Dalrymple was a brilliant hydrographer who published thousands of nautical charts but throughout his life was embroiled in controversy. In not being chosen to command the Endeavour in search of the Southland, Dalrymple was to wage a long vendetta against Cook. This chart clearly sets out to negate the historical significance of Cooks discoveries in New Holland and New Zealand and given his position, it’s understandable in the circumstances that his name does not appear on the map. The first edition of this chart, dated June 4th, 1803 (a later edition was made on August 12th 1817).