1791: Chatham Islands Discovered

Captain George Vancouver died today in history (12 May 1798) aged just 40. He first visited New Zealand as a teenage officer on Cook’s second expedition in 1773. The following year they discovered Norfolk Island, the naming of which may have been influenced by Vancouver’s home county, Norfolk, England. Vancouver’s statue stands by the sea there today (see image).
Vancouver followed in Cook’s footsteps as a naval explorer and navigator. The Captain met Maoris at Dusky Sound and tried to trade with them with little success. One, who had traded a spear, was exchanged a mirror for a “sea-bear skin coat.” The New Zealander was “so delighted with the reflection of his face in the looking glass provided in exchange, that he ran away with them [both!]¹
Leaving New Zealand, on 29 November, 1791, massive storms blew one of his ships off course (HMS Chatham) leading to the discovery of The Chatham Islands which were named for the wayward brig and claimed for the Empire.
http://ahnz.anarkiwi.co.nz/1791-chatham-islands-discovered/

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