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. 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. They sailed north along the coast, observing a large island with high lands to their north, which they identified as Anthony Caen’s island. Today is it known as Anthony Kaan Island or Malendok Island, part of the Tanga group of Papua New Guinea. Isaac Gilsemans, supercargo on board the Zeehaen, is commonly identified as the artist who drew these coastline profiles of coastline of New Ireland in Abel Tasman’s journal as seen when sailing along the shore between the Cape of Saint Mary and Anthony Caen’s Island.