HMS Dolphin reached the island of Tahiti in June 1767, marking the first recorded arrival of a European vessel at the location. Commanded by Samuel Wallis, the expedition performed this feat while under orders to circumnavigate the globe and identify a potential Southern Continent, securing a place in maritime history for the naval officer.
Naval Advancement
Born in 1728 at Fenteroon Farm, near Camelford, Cornwall, Wallis entered a career in the Royal Navy. He served under John Byron before receiving his lieutenant commission on 19 October 1746. Promotions followed steadily, with his appointment to commander occurring on 30 June 1756. By 8 April 1757, he reached the rank of captain, eventually receiving command of HMS Dolphin for his most significant voyage.
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The expedition included Philip Carteret in command of HMS Swallow. Following a departure from England, the two vessels passed through the Strait of Magellan before a storm forced their separation. Wallis reached Tahiti in 1767, naming the land King George the Third's Island. Wallis later observed that the climate offered one of the healthiest environments encountered during the voyage.
Technical Navigation
The precision of the voyage relied on the work of the ship’s purser, John Harrison, who utilized the Lunar Distance method to calculate longitude. Although the process required four hours of computation for each reading, the method provided reliable positioning. These calculations, bolstered by observations of a solar eclipse, allowed for an improved level of cartographic accuracy. This data proved essential for James Cook, who received the findings to assist in his subsequent navigation of the region.
Pacific Charting
Beyond Tahiti, the expedition charted portions of the Society Islands and the Tuamotu Islands. Wallis confirmed the positions of Rongerik and Rongelap within the Marshall Islands and renamed the island of Uvea as Wallis. The journey continued to Tinian and Batavia, where dysentery caused significant loss of life among the crew. The ship returned to England in May 1768. Wallis later served as an Extra Commissioner of the Navy starting in 1780, concluding his career in London upon his death in 1795.
Fast facts
- Born: 1728, Fenteroon Farm, Cornwall
- Died: 21 January 1795, London
- Rank: Captain, Royal Navy
- Flagship: HMS Dolphin
- Tahiti arrival: June 1767
- Return to England: May 1768
- Extra Commissioner of the Navy: 1780
Questions readers ask
How did the expedition achieve high precision in its navigation?
The purser, John Harrison, used the Lunar Distance method combined with observations of a solar eclipse to determine longitude.
What was the purpose of the 1757 expedition?
Wallis was tasked with circumnavigating the globe and searching for the Southern Continent.
Achievements
- Recorded as explorer
