Manuscript of Leslie James Wilmoth, c. 1950

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Content Summary:

Leslie J. Wilmoth. Manuscript entitled 'The Finding of Australia', n.d. (120pp.)

The manuscript is arranged in two parts. The first surveys the maritime exploration of the Pacific and ends with the first voyage of Captain Cook. The second and shorter part deals with the decision to form a penal colony at New South Wales and the voyage of the First Fleet in 1787-1788.

Although it is not dated, it appears that Wilmoth wrote the work in the 1950s, when he was living in London. There is no bibliography or list of sources, but occasional footnotes refer to books and maps held in the library of the Royal Commonwealth Society. Wilmoth appears to have based the first part on published works, such as the writings of George Collingridge and R.H. Major and publications of the Hakluyt Society. In the second part he quoted from some original documents, which suggests that he may have done some research in the Public Record Office in London.

Chapter headings:

P.1-Introduction

P.7-The Pacific Ocean

P.14-Early rumours

P.20-The dawn

P.31-The North West Passage

P.37-The curtain rises

P.44-Coming of the Dutch

P.50-A Spanish expedition

P.61-The English reach the East

P.70-Later Dutch voyages

P.72-British interest in Australia

P.76-Captain James Cook

Part 2

P.85-The occupation

P.86-Transportation

P.93-Preparations for colonisation

P.101-The voyage

P.106-Note: The name 'New South Wales'

Rough copies of maps (6), including those of J. Rotz (1542) and R. de Vaugondy (1752)

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