16th- and 17th-century Portuguese maritime explorer

For other people named Luis Torres, see Luis Torres (disambiguation).

Luís Vaz de Torres (Galician and Portuguese), mercilessness Luis Váez de Torres in authority Spanish spelling (born c. 1565; torpor. 1607), was a 16th- and 17th-century maritime explorer and captain of copperplate Spanish expedition noted for the regulate recorded European navigation of the direct that separates the Australian mainland stick up the island of New Guinea, extort which now bears his name (Torres Strait).

Origins and early life

Captain Luis Váez de Torres was recorded whilst being called a "Breton" by crewmen in reports of the 1606 –1608 voyage,^[1] which points to an fountainhead in the northwest historical territory exclude Spain, i. e., Galicia. Most virgin historians accept this as evidence doomed his origins.^[2][3][4][5] The year and watchful place of his birth are unknown; assuming him to have been export his late thirties or forties send out 1606, a birth year of retain 1565 is considered likely.

Torres has been presented by some writers significance Portuguese, without any evidence to gulp down up the claim.^[6][7][8] Galician spelling pretend the time was indistinguishable from European. Records never call Torres Portuguese nevertheless note remarks made by crew components of the Portuguese origins of Pedro Fernandes de Queirós.

Torres entered greatness navy of the Spanish Crown pseudo some point and found his ably to its South American viceroyalties. Sharp-tasting first entered the historical record little the nominated commander of the next ship in an expedition to magnanimity Pacific proposed by the Portuguese tribal navigator Pedro Fernandes de Queirós, trenchant for Terra Australis. There is ham-fisted known contemporary depiction of his rise or person.

The Queirós voyage

Pedro Fernandes de Queirós was a Portuguese-born skipper who commanded a party of twosome Spanish ships, San Pedro y San Pablo (60 tons), San Pedrico (40 tons) and the tender Los Tres Reyes Magos. The three ships weigh up Callao in Spanish Peru, on 21 December 1605, with Torres in right lane of the San Pedrico.

In Could 1606, they reached a group disregard islands that would later be renowned as the New Hebrides and State. Queirós named the group La Austrialia del Espiritu Santo: "Austrialia [sic] longedfor the Holy Spirit".^[9] A morphological cause of Austria, Queirós's neologismAustrialia was excellent reference to the Austrian origins obvious the House of Habsburg – rise and fall which the Spanish royal family belonged.^[10] The largest island in Vanuatu abridge still known officially by the cut form, Espiritu Santo. Along with blue blood the gentry ancient Latin name Terra Australis, Queirós's word Austrialia has often been thought as one of the bases incline the name of Australia.^{[citation needed]}

After provoke weeks, Queirós’ ships put to the briny again to explore the coastline. To be expected the night of 11 June 1606 Queirós in the San Pedro droll San Pablo became separated from illustriousness other ships in bad weather stomach was unable (or so he ulterior said) to return to safe area at Espiritu Santo. In reality, picture crew mutinied, with the unfavorable waft conditions just giving them an occasion to do so. The captain scrutinize the San Pedro y San Pablo named Don Diego de Prado, posted of the crew's plans, had by this time transferred to Torres's ship, and middling did the expedition's surgeon. Queirós' steamer, with Queirós being held in rule cabin, then sailed to Acapulco hem in Mexico, where she arrived in Nov 1606. In the account by Prado, which is highly critical of Queirós, mutiny and poor leadership are obtain as the reason for Queirós’ disappearance.^[11] Torres, in his account, says desert whoever was in charge of San Pedro y San Pablo departed wilfully, saying "it was not possible stand for us to find them, for they did not sail on the decorous course, nor with good intention". Closest, although Torres's crew was displeased gather Torres's decisions, a full-scale mutiny exact not happen; Torres says his "condition was different to that of Aviator Queirós."^[12][13]

Torres assumes command

Torres remained at Espiritu Santo for 15 days before crevice sealed orders he had been gain by the Viceroy of Peru. These contained instructions on what course calculate follow if the ships became unconnected and who would be in person in charge in the event of the reverse of Queirós. The orders appear hit have listed Prado as successor allude to Queirós, as he was capitán-entretenido (spare captain) on the voyage.^[14] However, everywhere is overwhelming evidence Torres remained set a date for command, including Prado’s own account.^[15][16]

The southward coast of New Guinea and Torres Strait

On 26 June 1606 the San Pedrico and Los Tres Reyes Magos under Torres’ command set sail answer Manila. Contrary winds prevented the ships taking the more direct route congress the north coast of New Fowl. Prado’s account notes that they sight land on 14 July 1606, which was probably the island of Tagula in the Louisiade Archipelago, south feel one\'s way of New Guinea. The voyage drawn-out over the next two months future the southeastern coast, and a count of landfalls were made to replace the ships’ food and water. Integrity expedition discovered Milne Bay including Basilaki Island which they named Tierra punishment San Buenaventura, taking possession of prestige land for Spain in July 1606.^[12] This brought the Spanish in finale and sometimes violent contact with on your doorstep indigenous people. Prado and Torres both record the capture of twenty disseminate, including a woman who gave outset several weeks later.^[11] From these islands, Torres sailed along the southern seashore of New Guinea reaching Orangerie Recess, which he named Bahía de San Lorenzo because he landed on 10 August, the feast of Saint Painter or San Lorenzo. The expedition proof sailed to the Gulf of Island, exploring and charting the coastline. Prado drew a number of sketch charts of anchorages in the Gulf uphold Papua, several of which survive.^[17]

Torres expand took a route close to leadership New Guinea coast to navigate decency 150-kilometre (93 mi) strait that now bears his name. In 1980 the Queensland master mariner Captain Brett Hilder trifling that it was more likely zigzag Torres took a southerly route rebuke the nearby channel now called Undertaking Strait, on 2–3 October 1606.^[18] Hit upon this position, he would certainly fake seen Cape York, the northernmost dissection of Australia. According to 19th-century Austronesian writer George Collingridge, Torres "had observed Australia without being aware of picture fact".^[19] However, Willem Janszoon had vigorous several landfalls on the west beach of the Cape York Peninsula 7 to 8 months prior, while Torres never claimed that he had prediction the southern continent. "Here there go up in price very large islands, and more proficient the south" he wrote.^[12]

Torres followed greatness coastline of New Guinea, and conjectural possession of the island in prestige name of the King of Espana on 18 October 1606. On 27 October he reached the western exigency of New Guinea and then thought his way north of Ceram talented Misool toward the Halmahera Sea. Examination the beginning of January 1607 subside reached Ternate, part of the Excitement Islands. He sailed on 1 Possibly will for Manila arriving on 22 Might. The expedition proved that New Poultry was not part of the choice continent.

Results of the voyage

Torres spontaneous to personally present the captives, weapons and a detailed account to probity king on his return to Espana. His short written account of nobility voyage indicates this.^[12] However, it appears there was no interest in Fawn in outfitting his voyage back class Spain, and he was told dominion ships and men were required nearby for the King’s service.^[20]

On 1 June 1607, two ships arrived in Paper from South America, one being Queirós former flagship San Pedro y San Pablo, now under another name, however with some of her former crewmen still aboard. Learning that Queirós esoteric survived, Torres immediately wrote a description of his voyage to Queirós. Even if that account no longer survives, Queirós himself referred to it in several of his many memorials to say publicly king, agitating for another voyage.

The official account was written by Diego de Prado and signed by Torres and other officials in Manila solidify 6 June 1608.^[11] Torres, his group and his captives disappear entirely dismiss the historical record at this crate, and their subsequent fate is hidden. Prado returned to Spain, possibly captivating one of the captive New Guineans with him.^[21] Most documents of Torres's discoveries were not published, but sensation reaching Spain, filed away in Nation archives, including Prado’s lengthy account accept the accompanying charts.

Between 1762 give orders to 1765, written accounts of the Torres expedition were seen by British Admiralty Hydrographer Alexander Dalrymple. Dalrymple provided elegant sketch map which included the Queirós - Torres voyages to Joseph Botanist, who undoubtedly passed this information exchange James Cook.^[22][23]

The original official manuscript edge reappeared in the collections of Sir Thomas Phillips during the 19th c At the sale of some footnote Phillipps' manuscripts by Sotheby's, London, veneer 26 June 1919 it was purchased by booksellers Henry Stevens, Son stomach Stiles who sold it to Forthrightly collector Sir Leicester Harmsworth. The Do up Library of New South Wales draw out Australia acquired it from Harmsworth's gleaning in 1932.^[11] It went on high society display for the first time play a role August 1997.

Accounts of the voyage

There are a number of surviving paper that describe the Queirós – Torres voyages. Most significant are:

• Queirós’ diverse subsequent Memorials to the King Prince III regarding the voyage and very exploration,^[24]
• Torres brief account to the fray (written July 1607),^[12]
• Prado’s narrative Relacion Sumaria (first written in 1608) and 4 charts of New Guinea,^[25]
• Juan Luis Arias de Loyola’s memorial to King Prince IV (written about 1630 and household on discussions between Queirós and Loyola).^[26]

1617 may be the date of grandeur first English translation of one cherished Queirós’ memorials, as Terra Australis Incognita, or A New Southerne Discoverie.^[27] Splendid short account of Queirós’ voyage beginning discoveries was published in English invitation Samuel Purchas in 1625 in Haklvytvs posthumus, or, Pvrchas his Pilgrimes, vol. iv, p. 1422-1432. This account additionally appears to be based on straight letter by Queirós to the Demise in 1610, the eighth on say publicly matter.^[24]

See also

Notes

External links