On the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th we skirted the land with
the wind and course aforesaid, and came to anchor at about a mile's
distance from the land. I went ashore in person with the pinnaces duly
manned and armed...[*]
[* What follows in the original is an almost verbatim transcript of the
corresponding passages in the authentic journal.]
(Keerweer formerly mistaken for islands)
To this place or part of the land where the aforesaid happened, we have
in the new chart given the name of Keer-Weer [Turn-again], seeing that
the land here bends to S.W. and West, in 7° Latitude; the place, which
has formerly been mistaken for a group of islands by the men of the yacht
Duijfken in the year 1606 [*], lies about 50 miles S.E. by East of
Aro...
[* The passage in the text furnishes interesting evidence respecting the
voyage of the yacht Duifken in 1606; a fact that has so often been called
in question, or even flatly denied.]
On the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st [of March]
[*] with a W.N.W. wind in 2, 2Ω, 3 and 4 fathom, we got clear of the
shallows which we had previously run into as into a trap; we managed to
do so by tacking and taking advantage of the current, so that in the
evening of the 21st aforesaid we came to anchor in 7 fathom near an islet
situated one mile or upwards S. and N. of the mainland...
[* A comparison with the authentic journal at the dates given, will
enable the reader to ascertain the points which the yachts had then
reached.]
On the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th [of April] we tried
on divers courses, such as S.E. and S.E. by E., to make the land of Nova
Guinea, until on the 8th aforesaid in the night-time we ran in between
certain reefs, where by God's providence the yachts were preserved from
taking harm; after which on the 12th aforesaid we sighted the land of
Nova Guinea in 11° 45', our yachts being in 13Ω fathom, clayey bottom.
On the 18th [of April], after running southward between 5 and 6 miles, we
saw a large number of blacks on the beach; we therefore dropped anchor
and sent the skipper ashore with the two pinnaces; who, by offering them
pieces of iron and strings of beads, caused some of the blacks to draw
near, so that he could lay hold of one of them, whom with the help of his
men (who met with little resistance) he carried on board...
On the 5th, 6th and 7th [of May] we skirted the coast as before on a
northward course, and repeatedly endeavoured to effect a landing, but
were in every case treated by the savages in hostile fashion, and forced
to return to the yachts...
On the 11th [of May] we sailed close inshore past a large river (which in
1606 the men of the yacht Duijfken went up with the boat, on which
occasion one of them was killed by the arrows of the natives), situated
in 11° 48' Lat., to which river we have in the new map given the name
of...[*]
Always continuing
Their High Mightinesses' etc. obedient and affectionate servant
J. CARSTENSZOON.
[* Carpentier, erased in the original MS. Cf. my Life of Tasman, p. 100,
note 4.]
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