Dampier referred to Australia as "New Holland". "New Holland" appears to have been the name given by Abel Tasman. Willem Janszoon was the first European visitor and he called the place "Nieu Zeland". So it seems that all the early exploration was done by the Dutch, long before Dampier, but it was the English who recognised the potential for the country (as a dumping ground for their rejects). Even then, the original name was only changed to "Australia" in 1824 in response to a recommendation by Matthew Flinders.
-- Edited by dorian on Saturday 4th of January 2014 09:14:03 AM
GaryKelly said
09:26 AM Jan 4, 2014
Speaking of the Dutch, New York in the US was originally called New Amsterdam. Can you imagine ol' Blue Eyes singing that?
Gday...
1688 -
English sea explorer William Dampier first lands on Australian soil.
1810 -
Governor Lachlan Macquarie takes strong action to restore order following the deposition of Governor Bligh in the Rum Rebellion.
1967 -
Donald Campbell, the man who broke the land and water speed records in the same year, is killed as he attempts another record.
Cheers - John
Gday...
I did too ... but I checked - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Dampier
Cheers - John
Dampier referred to Australia as "New Holland". "New Holland" appears to have been the name given by Abel Tasman. Willem Janszoon was the first European visitor and he called the place "Nieu Zeland". So it seems that all the early exploration was done by the Dutch, long before Dampier, but it was the English who recognised the potential for the country (as a dumping ground for their rejects). Even then, the original name was only changed to "Australia" in 1824 in response to a recommendation by Matthew Flinders.
-- Edited by dorian on Saturday 4th of January 2014 09:14:03 AM