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William DampierEnglish navigator
Date of Birth: 05.09.1651
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- William Dampier, English Navigator
- Circumnavigations and Discoveries
- Return and Publications
- Further Expeditions and Scientific Contributions
- Later Life and Legacy
William Dampier, English Navigator
Early Life and CareerBorn in East Coker, Somerset in August 1651, William Dampier became a sailor and embarked on three circumnavigations of the globe. In 1679, he participated in an expedition to Spanish America and spent time in Central America.
Circumnavigations and Discoveries
In 1683, Dampier joined Captain D. Cook's crew and sailed to the shores of Guinea, crossing the Atlantic Ocean, rounding Cape Horn, and reaching the western coast of South America. After the pirate band dissolved, Dampier crossed the Pacific Ocean and headed to the Philippine Islands, reaching the northwest coast of Australia on January 4, 1688.
Return and Publications
After numerous adventures, Dampier returned to England in 1691 and published his account of his experiences in the book "A New Voyage Round the World" in 1697. In 1699, he published its sequel, "Voyages and Descriptions."
Further Expeditions and Scientific Contributions
In 1699, Dampier set out on an expedition to the shores of Australia and New Guinea. His geographical discoveries include the Dampier Strait, separating Waigeo Island from the western coast of New Guinea, and the Dampier Archipelago, a group of rocky islands off the northwest coast of Australia.
His work "Discourse of the Winds" (1699) is a valuable guide to meteorology. He also authored "A Vindication of the Voyage to the South Seas" (1707) and "Voyage to the Bay of Campeachy" (1729).
Later Life and Legacy
Dampier embarked on two more circumnavigations (1703-1707 and 1708-1711), which were primarily commercial ventures. He passed away in London in March 1715. Dampier's explorations and writings made him a significant figure in the history of navigation and scientific discovery.
