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winds prevailing in the latitude of Cape Horn would make it 

 impossible for any ship to make the voyage to the west in a 

 high latitude; but if the Dutch had a settlement in Chili, the 

 expedition might start from there and run up into the Tropics 

 with the south-east trades to latitude 12° or 15° S., crossing the 

 Pacific in that latitude until it made the Solomons. If they 

 could only be sure of getting refreshment at the Solomons 

 this would be an excellent plan, for they could then sail south 

 from the Solomons, and getting into westerly winds run back 

 east to the Strait of Le Maire and Cape Horn. 



By the accomplishment of these two voyages, says Visscher, 

 " You will be able to explore the southern portion of the 

 world round about the whole globe, and find out what is there; 

 whether it be land, or sea, or icebergs — whatever God has 

 ordained to be there." The old pilot's views as to the South 

 Land, and the best means to search for it, show that he was in 

 advance of his time, and free from many of the traditional pre- 

 possessions then common amongst navigators and geographers. 

 If the Council of Seventeen could only have been induced 

 to enter into Visscher's plans, the riddle of the South Land 

 might have been solved in the 17th century, and the discoveries 

 of Captain Cook anticipated by more than one hundred and 

 twenty years. 



These large schemes were beyond the province of the East 

 India Government, but the plan Visscher had sketched for the 

 expedition from Batavia was adopted in its entirety. Van 

 Diemen in his despatches describes the voyage as having been 

 projected on the advice of Visscher. The resolution of the 

 Governor-General and Council decreeing the expedition is 

 dated 1st August, 1642. It begins by stating the great desire 

 of both the Colonial and Home Governments for the explora- 

 tion of southern and eastern lands, with the hope of opening 

 up important countries for trade, or at least of finding a more 

 convenient way to the rich countries already known in South 

 America. The Governor then states that he has consulted 

 divers persons of approved judgment in such matters, and 

 especially the renowned and most experienced pilot Erans 

 Jacobsz Visscher, as to the explorations and the best way to 

 accomplish them, and in accordance with their written opinions 

 has decided to despatch for the discovery of these apparently 

 rich countries two ships*, the Heemskerck, with a crew of 60 

 men, and the lly-ship Zeehaen (Cormorant), with 50. The 

 expedition to be under the command of the Hon. Abel Tasman, 

 who is very eager to make the exploration ; with him are to 



* The Heemskerck was a jagt or small ship, perhaps 200 tons. The 

 Zeehaen was a fluit or fly-boat, a vessel of light draught, built for quick 

 sailing! she was smaller than the Heemskerck. 



