William Dampier (Dampier William)

(1651-1715)
Born in East Coker (Somerset) in August 1651. He became a sailor, and made three round the world trip. Spent some time in Central America and in 1679 took part in the campaign against Spanish America. In 1683 a team of Captain James Cook went to the coast of Guinea, crossed the Atlantic, rounded Cape Horn and reached the western coast of South America. After the collapse of piracy squad Dampier with the team crossed the Pacific Ocean and went to the Philippine Islands, 4 January 1688 reached the northwest coast of Australia. After many tests in 1691 returned to England, and in 1697 published a description of his adventures in the book of a new journey around the world (A New Voyage Round the World). In 1699 came the publication of its sequel, entitled Travels and descriptions (Voyages and Descriptions). In 1699 an expedition to the shores of Australia and New Guinea. Among the geographical discoveries Dampier Strait Dampier should be noted that separates the island Vaygeo from the west coast of New Guinea, and the Dampier Archipelago - a group of rocky islands off the northwest coast of Australia. The last two round the world trip explorer (1703-1707 and 1708-1711) were of commercial nature. Work Dampier wind direction (Discourse of the Winds, 1699) is a valuable guide to meteorology. In addition, he wrote a book proof sailing the South Seas (A Vindisation of the Voyage to the South Seas, 1707) and Journey to the Bay of Campeche (Voyage to the Bay of Campeachy, 1729). Dampier died in London in March 1715.