:^9 



THE EARLY HISTORY OF MARIA ISLAND, 



EAST COAST, TASMANIA. 



By Clive E. Lord. 



(Ouratoir of the Tasmaiiian Museum). 



Plate XIII. 



(Received 2nd June, 1919. Read 14th July, 1919.) 



Historically speaking, the discovery of Tasmania is 

 of recent date, but even so, we lack many details of 

 the early exjoeditions, and there were probably many 

 early navigators of Australian seas of whom we know 

 nothing. Even in modern days, navigation is not exempt 

 from danger, although all the main routes have b&en 

 carefully charted, and the advent of steam powei' has 

 revolutionised the art of seamanship. The early ex- 

 plorers, however, sailed their small vessels along unknown 

 coasts, and amidst uncharted reefs. Ho'W many perished 

 we know not, but even of those expeditions that returned 

 a lai-ge percentage of their company were lost by the 

 way. Scurvy was responsible for a tremendous death 

 roll, in addition to the other dangers of the voyage. It 

 must also be remembered that the discoveries of many 

 of the earl}^ explorers were not made known to the world 

 for many years. Each expedition was working for its 

 own country or company, and in >some cases the- resnlts 

 of the voyages were carefully guarded for the sake of self 

 interest from a national standpoint. It. was not for many 

 years after his death that Tasman's work as an explorer 

 became known, and the details of his stay at Tasmania., 

 and incidentally the discovery of Maria. Island, were given 

 to the world. 



The exploring ships coming from the west — the more 

 settled portions of the old world — nearly all followed on 

 Tasman's tracks. Making their landfall on the rugged 

 coiasts of the south-western portion of Tasmania., or, as it 

 was known of old, as the southern portion of Terra Aus- 

 tralia, and then sailing east until they reached the quieter 

 waters of our east coast. Maria Island will always be 

 connected with the early era of discovery, and the more 

 one visits this locality, the greater the desire becomes 

 to gain some knowledge of its early history. This was so 

 in my own case, and what information I have gathered 

 has been incorporated in the present paper in order that 

 others who are interested may have the information avails 

 able should they desire to take advantage of it. 



