Coastline profiles 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 number of offshore islands along the way. After passing the Tabar group, which they named the Visscher’s Islands. (Fisher Islands), they continued along the New Ireland coast, occasionally making contact with the local people who came alongside the Dutch ships in their own boats.