Summary

The purpose of this paper is to make available transcripts of reports by the fi rst visitors to Heard Island. The sequence of voyages in the vicinity of the island between 1773 and 1858 is described. Discovery is attributed to Captain John J. Heard in the bark Oriental in 1853. This voyage not only broke the news of a new island, but also gave a position that initiated sealing at the Island in 1855. The majority of early visitors were sealers hunting sea-elephant for oil. The industry peaked in 1858 and continued sporadically for another 24 years.

Authors:Downes M. Published in: 2002 Category 3: Article Program area: Human Impacts Research
Downes M. (2002) First visitors to Heard Island, ANARE Research Notes 104. 1-70;
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