Jean-François de Surville

Who Was Jean-François Marie de Surville?

Jean-François Marie de Surville, born in 1717 in Brittany, France, was a merchant captain with the French East India Company who embarked on an exploration voyage that would change the course of history. At just ten years old, he joined the company and began his maritime journey, sailing through Indian and Chinese waters before joining the French Navy in 1740.

From War to Wreck

In the tumultuous times of the War of Austrian Succession and Seven Years’ War, Surville fought valiantly. His career took a dramatic turn when he was wrecked off the coast of Peru while transporting soldiers back to France. Despite the shipwreck, he managed to rescue all crew members and passengers safely, returning to France in 1764.

Resuming Service

In 1765, Surville resumed his service with the French East India Company, commanding the Duc de Praslin on its voyage to India. He set up a trading venture with Lauriston and Chevalier and sailed to India in June 1767. By 1768, financial troubles plagued the company, leading Surville to plan an expedition to the Philippines.

The Quest for Davis Land

Surville’s ambitious plan was to sail to Malacca, then the South China Sea, and the Philippines in search of Davis Land, a recently discovered island believed to be fabulously wealthy. The Duc de Praslin departed from Chandernagore on March 3, 1769, carrying trading goods and charts of Pacific voyages.

Encounters and Discoveries

After visiting French settlements along the Indian coast, Surville set sail for Malacca. He encountered a warm welcome initially but was then confronted by a British ship that claimed he was heading to the East Indies. Surprisingly, his expedition led him to discover New Zealand instead of Davis Land. The crew reached the Solomon Islands in October 1769, where their reception was hostile and many died from scurvy.

Hostilities and Scurvy

Surville consulted Tasman’s charts and headed for New Zealand, avoiding the Solomon Islands again. On December 12, he sighted the coast of New Zealand and sailed to Hokianga, where the crew met a Māori chief who provided them with fresh food. The crew recovered from scurvy with the help of the Māori, and it is likely that Father Villefeix conducted the first Christian service in New Zealand on Christmas Day 1769.

Tragedy at Sea

A storm stranded a party of men, who were treated hospitably by the Māori. The ship suffered damage during the storm, and Surville went ashore with a party to fish but later had the Māori chief Ranginui arrested for allegedly stealing the yawl. A series of unfortunate events led to the death of Ranginui from scurvy on March 24 as the ship approached the Juan Fernández Islands.

Final Journey and Tragic End

Rather than stopping for supplies, Surville continued to Peru after reaching the Juan Fernández Islands. The Saint Jean-Baptiste arrived in Peruvian settlement of Chilca on April 7 but was unable to land due to hazardous sea conditions. Surville and two crew members sailed to seek help from Spanish authorities in a small boat, which capsized, killing them.

Survivors and Legacy

The ship continued to Callao, where the surviving crew was detained by Spanish authorities for over two years before being allowed to return to France. Only 66 of the original 173 men had completed the expedition due to sickness and desertions.

Surville’s Voyage: A Legacy of Discovery

Surville’s voyage confirmed the size of the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, disproved Terra Australis, and provided more knowledge of New Zealand. His legacy lives on through a street in Port-Louis named after him and various geographical features and monuments in New Zealand.

Through his daring and relentless pursuit of discovery, Jean-François Marie de Surville left an indelible mark on the annals of maritime history. His voyage not only expanded our understanding of the Pacific region but also paved the way for future explorers to chart new territories.