Coastline profile of New Ireland, Papua New Guinea

In late March 1643 the expedition of Abel Tasman approached the island of New Ireland, part today of Papua New Guinea. Due to a misunderstanding Tasman believed that he had already reached the mainland of New Guinea, while he was in fact sailing along the eastern coast of this separate island. Before reaching the coast of New Ireland, the expedition passed south of an island they called St. Jan’s Island (Ambitle) and continued northwards along the eastern coast. On 1 April they approached New Ireland at a cape which they identified as the Cape of Saint Mary based on their interpretation of Spanish descriptions.

Isaac Gilsemans, supercargo on board the Zeehaen, is commonly identified as the artist who drew these coastline profiles of The Cape of Saint Mary in Abel Tasman’s journal as seen when sailing along the shore.