3 Review(s)

The Part Borne by the Dutch in the Discovery of Australia 1606-1765 by J. E. Heeres is a comprehensive historical account of Dutch exploration along the Australian coast, emphasizing the role of the Dutch East India Company in mapping and documenting this previously unknown land. The book outlines the expeditions undertaken by Dutch navigators, such as Willem Janszoon, Dirk Hartog, and Abel Tasman, who were among the first Europeans to chart parts of Australia's northern, western, and southern coasts.Heeres presents a detailed narrative based on archival records, logs, and maps, illustrating how these voyages were not only significant for the Dutch but also for the broader European knowledge of the Pacific and Australia. The author includes translations of original Dutch documents, providing readers with a close look at the accounts and challenges faced by these early explorers. He traces the motives behind these expeditions—mainly trade and navigation—and highlights how the Dutch encounters with the Australian coast marked a critical point in European maritime history.