Luis Vaes de Torres 1606
Artist
Geoffrey Chapman Ingleton
(Australian, 1908 - 1998)
Date1930s
Object number00004840
NameEtching
MediumEtching on paper
DimensionsOverall: 355 x 374 mm, 1 kg
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis etching by Geoffrey Ingleton depicts the Spanish ships ALMIRANTA and ZABRA under attack from Torres Strait Islanders.HistoryThe first recorded European navigation of the reef-strewn passage separating Australia and New Guinea, now Torres Strait, was by Spanish navigator Luis Vaes de Torres in 1606.
After the European discovery of America and the division of the uncharted world between Spain and Portugal by Pope Alexander VI in 1493, the Spanish Crown undertook the task of exploring the Southern oceans. Three Spanish voyages to the south-west Pacific set out between 1565 - 1605. Two of these were led by Alvaro de Mendana, who employed the Portuguese Pedro Fernandez de Quiros as captain of the flagship in his second expedition in 1595. A complete failure, Quiros and his ship returned alone after several months - separated from the other vessels en route.
Quiros continued to lobby for another voyage to the Pacific, and in 1603 he was finally given approval. In 1605 he assembled the expedition ships CAPITANA, ALMIRANTA and ZABRA. Luis Vaes de Torres was appointed captain of the ALMIRANTA.
In late 1605 the expedition left Peru and the following May, made landfall at Espiritu Santo (Vanuatu). There the vessels became separated (Quiros returning to Mexico) and Torres took effective command of the remaining ships.
The expedition continued exploring westward and while sailing along the south coast of New Guinea in August and October 1606, passed through the strait separating New Guinea and Australia - now known as Torres Strait. The expedition then sailed to Manila where it arrived in May 1607.
SignificanceGeoffrey Ingleton completed numerous etchings depicting famous events relating to Australian maritime history. In this work he celebrates the achievements of Luis Vaes de Torres. Torres was the first European to navigate the strait between Australia and New Guinea, known today as the Torres Strait. Although Torres failed to find the elusive Terra Australis Incognita, he established New Guinea as a separate landmass.