Contents
Abel Tasman
Leading the first recorded European voyages to Tasmania and New Zealand.
Tasmania · New Zealand
- Born
- 1603
- Birthplace
- Lutjegast, Netherlands
- Died
- 10 October 1659
More people
Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman was a Dutch navigator working for the Dutch East India Company. His voyages expanded European maps of the South Pacific.
Early life
Dutch origins
Born in Lutjegast; little is recorded about his childhood.
Maritime work
Entered the records as an adult seafarer before joining the VOC.
Career
- 1633
Company service
Sailed for the Dutch East India Company.
- 1642
Pacific expedition
Led the Heemskerck and Zeehaen south and east from Batavia.
- 1644
Australian survey
Charted stretches of Australia’s northern coast.
Selected work
Tasmania
Reached the island already inhabited by Aboriginal peoples.
New Zealand
Made the first recorded European contact; a clash with Māori killed four crew.
Tonga and Fiji
Recorded further Pacific islands during the return voyage.
Beyond work
Batavia life
Settled in the Dutch colonial port, now Jakarta.
Names on maps
Tasmania and the Tasman Sea preserve his name.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and career ↗Further source ↗Identity and date cross-check ↗Photo: Unknown author Unknown author. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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