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Willem Janszoon

Type Figure Region Dutch East Indies Time c. 1570–1630 Also known as Willem Janszoon、Willem Jansz、Willem Janszoon Blaeu

Dutch East India Company navigator who in 1606 reached Australia's Cape York Peninsula aboard the Duyfken, among the earliest known European landings…

Timeline

  1. c. 1570–1603Amsterdam · Dutch RepublicJanszoon joined the Dutch East India Company in his early years and took part in voyages on the Spice Islands route; by the early 1600s he was already captain of the Duyfken, preparing for subsequent southward exploration.
  2. 1606Cape York Peninsula · QueenslandIn 1606 Janszoon sailed the Duyfken southward from the south coast of New Guinea; after striking a reef he turned west, reaching and landing on the northern tip of the Australian continent, naming it part of New Holland, and becoming one of the first documented European landfallers.
  3. 1607–1630Batavia · JavaAfter 1607 Janszoon transferred to the Dutch East Indies headquarters in Batavia, taking part in shipping coordination and colonial administration; he was still serving in the company system in the 1620s, until his death in Batavia in 1630.

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