Tasman Revisited

In December and January of 1642-43 Abel Tasman visited the shores of New Zealand arriving off the West Coast of the South Island and departing for Tonga from Three Kings Island. Along the way records were kept of latitude and longitude and Isaac Gilsemans created sketches of the coastal areas some of which were copied and printed to create the Ottens engraving currently on display as part of the Abel Tasman 370 display at Nelson Provincial Museum.

In 1985 Grahame Anderson and John Hollings sailed much of the same route as Tasman had travelled having made some corrections and allowances from the original position records. Using careful observation of the coastline they were able to pinpoint anchorages for the ships and viewpoints for the sketches and observations.

This is a modern day adventure. Now almost thirty years later the exercise would have benefited from the use of a GPS. Google Maps allows the original plot of Tasman's voyage to be recreated on the Museum website day by day as the logbook is revealed. This electronic log and map will go live on 13 December 2012 keep watching our website www.nelsonmuseum.co.nz for details.

Grahame has offered to present something of an account of his voyage which will provide a unique view of what took place 370 years previously.

If you would like to attend please RSVP by phone on 03 5489588 or email Sarah.Barnes@museumnp.org.nz