Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia, Vol. 2 (eBook)

Phillip Parker King (1791-1856) was an eminent early nineteenth-century explorer, navigator, and chart-maker, particularly renowned for his significant maritime surveys of Australia's coastline. Of British descent, King was born on Norfolk Island but spent much of his life at sea and contributing to the expansion of geographical knowledge during the age of discovery. King's work 'Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia, Vol. 2' is a seminal part of his larger four-volume series documenting his extensive coastal surveys during the years 1818 to 1822. In this work, King meticulously describes the topographical features, hydrography, and indigenous encounters on Australia's largely uncharted western and northern coastlines. His literary style combines the empirical rigor expected of a naval surveyor with engaging first-person accounts of the challenges faced during his voyages. King's contributions provided crucial charting information, greatly enhancing the safety of maritime operations and assisting in the realization of Australia's economic potential during colonial times. Today, King's legacy endures in the charts he created and in the rich descriptions of Australia's coastal environments found within his narratives.