A View of Lord Howe’s Island. A Chart of Lord Howe’s Id. Discovered by Lieut. Henry Ledgbird Ball… sic

A late C19th lithographic map taken from the engraved version first issued in 1789 and which was the first map and view of Lord Howe Island.

Lord Howe Island and Balls Pyramid were discovered and named by Lieut. Henry Lidgbird Ball (1756-1818) on 31 December 1788. Ball commanded H.M.S. Supply one of the ships in the First Fleet. He was sent by Governor Phillip to assist La Perouse to enter Botany Bay in January 1788, and the following month entrusted him with transporting the first settlers to Norfolk Island. He also assisted Lieutenant-Governor Phillip Gidley King settle there after a hazardous landing, and on the return voyage explored a small island sighted previously, which he named Lord Howe. During the next two years he took part in exploring parties around Port Jackson, was one of those who captured Arabanoo on 31 December 1788 and made a further voyage to Lord Howe Island to source turtles to supplement the dwindling food supply at Sydney.