Encountering Tahiti: Samuel Wallis and the Voyage of the Dolphin
Overview
During the seventeenth century scientists made significant discoveries in the fields of mathematics, physics, and astronomy—fields necessary for the improvement of navigation. These advances led to the development of the chronometer (a timepiece used to determine longitude), modifications in ship design, and increased accuracy in navigation. The result was a blending of science, exploration, and economics that culminated in the Pacific explorations of the eighteenth century.
In 1766 the British Admiralty appointed Samuel Wallis (1728-1795) to command a voyage of exploration to the South Pacific, continuing thesearch for the elusive terra australis—the great southern continent and huge, theoretical landmass then thought to occupy much of the largely unexplored Southern Hemisphere. While Wallis did not find the continent of Australia, he did land in Tahiti, bringing this lush island's inhabitants perhaps their first contact with European society.
Background
By 1766 European explorers had searched for new lands for nearly 300 years, driven primarily by the desire for new trade routes or territory that might provide new wealth. These voyages revolutionized European understanding of world geography—discovering North and South America, charting the coasts of Asia and Africa, and dispelling myths about boiling temperatures near the equator and ferocious sea monsters in distant parts of the ocean.
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