But We Have Made No Use Of Either Of These
Pieces, The Following Being A New Translation, Made With All The
Care And Diligence That Is Possible.
CHAPTER II:
CAPTAIN TASMAN SAILS FROM BATAVIA, AUGUST 14, 1642.
On August 14, 1642, I sailed from Batavia with two vessels; the one
called the Heemskirk, and the other the Zee-Haan. On September 5 I
anchored at Maurice Island, in the latitude of 20 degrees south, and
in the longitude of 83 degrees 48 minutes. I found this island
fifty German miles more to the east than I expected; that is to say,
3 degrees 33 minutes of longitude. This island was so called from
Prince Maurice, being before known by the name of Cerne. It is
about fifteen leagues in circumference, and has a very fine harbour,
at the entrance of which there is one hundred fathoms water. The
country is mountainous; but the mountains are covered with green
trees. The tops of these mountains are so high that they are lost
in the clouds, and are frequently covered by thick exhalations or
smoke that ascends from them. The air of this island is extremely
wholesome. It is well furnished with flesh and fowl; and the sea on
its coasts abounds with all sorts of fish. The finest ebony in the
world grows here. It is a tall, straight tree of a moderate
thickness, covered with a green bark, very thick, under which the
wood is as black as pitch, and as close as ivory.
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