Uncharted Island

French Captain Claims New Land in Arafura Sea

WRITING to the editor of the “P.I.M.,”

Dr. G. H. Vernon, of Daru, Papua, says it is reported in Thursday Island that a hitherto unknown island has been dis covered in the Arafura Sea, almost due north of Arnhem’s Land, in Northern Australia; and that the island is about to be taken possession of on behalf of the Government of France.

It appears that several months ago a Captain Eric de Bisshop, with a compan ion, M. Tattibouet (both French citizens) sailed from Formosa in a locally built Chinese junk named Fou Po (“Pacifier of Seas”) and that they sailed southwards through the Caroline Islands and event ually reached Darwin.

From Darwin the voyagers made east wards for Thursday Island; but as they met constant east winds, and the junk was not built for beating to windward, they were six weeks on the journey and they were blown far northwards of the usual track.

When Captain de Bisshop arrived in Thursday Island recently he reported the discovery of an uncharted island in the Arafura Sea, approximately 50 miles north-west of Booby Island (Torres Straits) and about 50 miles south by west of Merauke (the chief port in Dutch New Guinea). He said that the island was low and sandy, about six miles in length and that it had one or two trees on it. He took precise bearings, and it is acknowledged that he was competent to do so.

This part of the Arafura Sea is rarely visited, and Captain de Bisshop’s report is accepted as trustworthy. He appears to be a man of good personal character and a competent navigator. Captain de Bisshop gave an interesting lecture before the Thursday Island branch of the Royal Geographical Society. It was made clear that the island he had discovered could not be confounded with Deliverance Island or Kew Inlet, both of which lie eastwards of Merauke.

Captain de Bisshop left Thursday Island on May 26 for the purpose of sur veying the island which he had discov ered and he stated that he would claim the island for the Government of France.

In view of the steps which the Austra lian Government has taken to combat poaching activities in these northern waters, the discovery of this island and the claim for it by another nation become matters of some importance. The Arafura Sea represents part of the waters which have to be patrolled; and if this strange island is owned by another country Aus tralian patrols will not be able to work from it.

In view of the public importance of the subject, details of Dr. Vernon’s letter were sent to the Australian newspapers and

caused an official stir. It was reported from Canberra on June 14 that the Depart ment of External Affairs had ordered that inquiries into the whole matter should be made at once.

The authorities in Brisbane also took a hand. They ascertained that Captain de Bisshop returned to Thursday Island on the 12th instant in tow of a Common wealth launch, having become disabled “while investigating the position of an un charted reef which Captain de Bisshop dis covered in the Arafura Sea.” It was stated that the results of Captain de Bisshop’s investigations were to be forwarded to the Australian navigation authorities.