Tobias Furneaux explores the coast of Van Diemen's Land

Background. Tobias Furneaux was a British navigator and Royal Navy officer who accompanied James Cook on his second voyage. He received command of HMS Adventure in November 1771. The ship was separated from Cook's Resolution twice during the expedition, allowing Furneaux to conduct independent exploration of the coast of Van Diemen's Land.

Cartographic Legacy. Furneaux's exploration resulted in the earliest British chart of Van Diemen's Land. His delineation of the shore-line was later confirmed by Cook during the third voyage, with minor criticisms. Cook named the Furneaux Group at the eastern entrance to Bass Strait after him, acknowledging Furneaux's contribution to the mapping of the region.

Historical Context. Van Diemen's Land was the colonial name for Tasmania, first visited by Abel Tasman in 1642. Between 1772 and 1798, European visits were limited to the southeastern portion. Furneaux's work in 1773 was significant because the island's status as a separate landmass was not confirmed until Flinders and Bass circumnavigated it in 1798–1799.