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Jan Fransua de SurvilFrench navigator
Country:
 France |
Content:
- Biography of Jean-François de Surville
- early life and career
- expedition to India and the Pacific
- discovery of the Premier-Vu Island
- encounter with cannibalistic tribes
- exploration of the Solomon Islands
- journey to New Zealand and tragic death
Biography of Jean-François de Surville
Jean-François Marie de Surville, a French naval officer, was known for his achievements in battles against the English as well as his important discoveries in Oceania. He is credited with rediscovering the land that was previously discovered by Abel Tasman and later named by him as the Land of the States.
early life and career
Jean-François de Surville was born in France and became a captain in the French East India Company. He gained recognition for his bravery and success in various battles against the English. The rulers of French India, Lou and Chevalier, entrusted Surville with the task of leading an expedition to explore the southern seas.
expedition to India and the Pacific
In March 1769, Surville set sail from France on the ship "Saint-Jean-Baptiste," which was equipped with a three-year supply of provisions. He was accompanied by twenty-four native soldiers from India, provided by Lou. After making a stop in the Philippines, Surville encountered three deserting sailors on the Babuyan Islands. To prevent further desertions, Surville decided to capture twenty-six natives as hostages. However, they managed to escape, except for six individuals who were taken as replacements for the deserters.
discovery of the Premier-Vu Island
On October 7, 1769, after a long journey, Surville and his crew sighted land, which they named Premier-Vu Island. They explored the coastline until October 13, when they discovered a beautiful, well-protected harbor formed by a cluster of islands. Surville named it Prall Bay, in honor of the French Minister of the Navy. Surville and his crew encountered local natives armed with spears and shields, but they managed to establish a peaceful interaction.
encounter with cannibalistic tribes
During their stay in Prall Bay, Surville's crew encountered evidence of cannibalism among the local tribes. Surville captured a young native boy named Lova-Salega, who became their guide and interpreter. With his help, Surville gathered information about the region and its inhabitants. The crew also observed that the natives adorned themselves with necklaces made of human teeth, further confirming their cannibalistic practices.
exploration of the Solomon Islands
Surville continued his exploration and discovered an archipelago, which he named the Arche-Kido Islands (now known as the Solomon Islands). However, due to the hostile nature of the local inhabitants, Surville and his crew were unable to venture far inland and only explored the coastal areas. They mapped the islands and documented fourteen distinctive coastal landscapes.
journey to New Zealand and tragic death
In order to provide medical assistance to the sick and acquire fresh provisions, Surville decided to make his way to New Zealand, which had not been visited since Abel Tasman's exploration. On December 12, 1769, Surville sighted the coast of New Zealand and anchored in a bay he named Loriston Bay. The crew faced a severe storm that almost destroyed their ship, but they managed to survive with Surville's skillful navigation.
During their stay in Loriston Bay, Surville sent a boat to shore, but it capsized, resulting in his tragic death along with the rest of the crew. Only one sailor survived. This marked the end of Surville's exploration and the fate of the ship "Saint-Jean-Baptiste." The command of the ship was taken over by Labé, who eventually returned it to France in 1773.
