Jan Carstensz

(fn: 17th-century Dutch navigator Jan Carstensz extended the exploration of the Gulf of Carpentaria in the yacht Pera accompanied by the Arnhem. He left Amboiina in late January 1623, towards New Guinea. After sighting and attempting to track along New Guinea's southern coast through Torres Strait, he turned southward, passed Cape Keerweer and reached the Staaten River before retracing his track. Carstensz returned to Ambon in the Pera while the Arnhem crossed the Gulf of Carpentaria, sighting the east coast of Arnhem Land.

See here for a more detailed biographical sketch.

© Ian L Hughes 2022