The early history of Maria Island, East Coast, Tasmania

Historically speaking, the discovery of Tasmania is of recent date, but even so, we lack many details of the early expeditions, and there were probably many early navigators of Australian seas of whom we know nothing. Even in modern days, navigation is not exempt from danger, although all the main routes have been carefully charted, and the advent of steam power has revolutionised the art of seamanship. The early explorers, however, sailed their small vessels along unknown coasts, and amidst uncharted reefs.
It must also be remembered that the discoveries of many of the early explorers were not made known to the world for many years. Each expedition was working for its own country or company, and in some cases the results of the voyages were carefully guarded for the sake of self interest from a national standpoint. It was not for many years after his death that Tasmans work as an explorer became known, and the details of his stay at Tasmania, and incidentally the discovery of Maria Island, were given to the world.
The exploring ships coming from the west - the more settled portions of the old world - nearly all followed on Tasmans tracks. Making their landfall on the rugged coasts of the south-western portion of Tasmania, or, as it was known of old, as the southern portion of Terra Australis, and then sailing east Until they reached the quieter waters of our east coast. Maria Island will always be connected with the early era of discovery, and the more one visits this locality, the greater the desire becomes to gain some knowledge of its early history. This was so in my own case, and what information I have gathered has been incorporated in the present paper in order that other's who are interested may have the information available should they desire to take advantage of it.