The Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration

Tasmania had only seen the Dutch and the French till the arrival of Capt. T. Furneaux, in H.M.S. Adventure. He had the distinction of being the first English navigator to anchor in Tasmanian waters.

The Adventure, of 336 tons, was one of two vessels under the command of Capt. James Cook who left Plymouth on July 13, 1772, with instructions to search for the great southern continent and to circumnavigate the globe.

 

After leaving Capetown on November 22, the Adventure and Cook's ship, the Resolution, became separated.

Furneaux arrived off the bay shown on Tasman's chart but not named, on March 11, 1773. He arrived in the bay and named it after his ship. He considered the bay to be an excellent harbour. He remained there for five days taking in wood and water before sailing for New Zealand where he rejoined Cook.

Furneaux gave Penguin Island its name because he caught a yellow-crested penguin there. He was unable to make contact with the natives but saw signs of their existence. One of the gifts he left for them was a medal which is now in the Tasmanian museum.

The account by Furneaux of his visit to Adventure Bay was published in the second Cook voyage and is on exhibit in the museum. Of particular interest are his favourable comments on the perfect weather at Adventure Bay.