No CrossRef data available.
Article contents
William Dampier: Navigator Extraordinary
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 April 2014
Abstract
This paper looks at the navigational challenges faced by William Dampier when, as Captain of the Royal Navy ship Roebuck, in 1699, he approached, and then found his way along the coast of Western Australia (at that time known as New Holland). A discussion of the methods and instruments available to Dampier is followed by consideration of how, and with what success, he went about his task. Dampier's own account of the voyage was included in his book A Voyage to New Holland (Dampier, 1703) although this is likely to have been heavily edited, and perhaps even rewritten by a “man of letters” to make it more attractive to the general public. For this reason and, bearing in mind that autobiographical work may contain omissions or otherwise be slanted to show the writer in his best light, the navigational information in his book has been cross-checked with the Roebuck's original Master's Log, held by the UK National Archives at Kew (Documents ADM 52/94). Jacob Hughes was the ship's Master, but the Log entries were written in at least two hands.
- Type
- Research Article
- Information
- Copyright
- Copyright © The Royal Institute of Navigation 2014
References
REFERENCES
Dampier, W. (1697). A New Voyage Round the World. James Knapton, London. Available online at: www.gutenberg.net.au/ebooks05/0500461h.html.Google Scholar
Dampier, W. (1703). A Voyage to New Holland. James Knapton, London. Available online at: www.gutenberg.net.au/ebooks/e00046.html.Google Scholar
Davis, J. and Daniel, C. (2009). John Seller: Instrument Maker and Plagiarist. Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society. 102.Google Scholar
Fanning, A.E. (1988). An Evil so Pregnant with Mischief: Some Influential Ups and Downs in the Development of Navigational Equipment and Practice. Journal of Navigation, 41, 319–335.Google Scholar
Forty, G. (1986). The Back-staff and the Determination of Latitude at Sea in the Seventeenth Century. Journal of Navigation, 39, 259–268.Google Scholar
Heeres, J.E. (1899). Part Borne by the Dutch in the Discovery of Australia 1605–1765. Luzac & Co., London. Available online as a Project Gutenberg Australia, e-Book.Google Scholar
Hilder, B. (1977) The First Navigation of Torres Strait. Journal of Navigation, 30, 459–466.Google Scholar
SirMainwaring, H. (1644). The Seaman's Dictionary, included in The Life and Works of Sir Henry Mainwaring, Vol. II, printed for the Navy Records Society, London, 1922.Google Scholar
May, W.E. (1953a). Navigational Accuracy in the Eighteenth Century. Journal of Navigation, 6, 71–73.Google Scholar
Pepys, S. (1662). Diary of Samuel Pepys Complete, 1662. (see 4/5 July 1662). Project Gutenberg, e-Book.Google Scholar
Richey, M.W. and Taylor, E.G.R. (1962). The Geometrical Seaman. p.33. Hollis & Carter.Google Scholar
Rogers, W. (1712). Life Aboard a British Privateer. A. Bell & B. Lintot, London. Also online at www.gutenberg.org.Google Scholar
Taylor, E.G.R. (1956). The English and the Dutchman's Log. Journal of Navigation, 9, 357–358.Google Scholar
Wallis, H. (1994). Navigators and Practitioners in Samuel Pepys’ Day. Journal of Navigation, 47, 1–19.Google Scholar
Waters, D. (1956). The Development of the English and Dutchman's Log. Journal of Navigation, 9, 70–88.Google Scholar