The map includes a long note about the history of European discovery of New Guinea, beginning with that of Schouten, and ending with Dampier's circumnavigation of the Island of New Britain, which "is of the greatest importance..."

Engraved by Emanuel Bowen for John Harris's 'Navigantium atque itinerantium bibliotheca, or, A complete collection of voyages and travels' (1744-1748).

Dampier and Captain Charles Swan, a reluctant pirate, joined forces in 1686 and set off on a voyage to the East Indies. The voyage was difficult, and Swan remained in the Indies, but Dampier continued on to New Holland (Australia, only recently known to Europeans). He noted the size of the landmass, and made a survey, becoming the first recorded Englishman to set foot on the Australian mainland. After being voluntarily marooned in the Nicobar Islands, Dampier eventually made his way back to England in 1691. His first travel account was published in 1697, and caught the attention of The Admiralty, who commissioned Dampier to return to New Holland the following year.

The voyage was not a success. The crew were suspicious of their former pirate captain, and the ship, HMS 'Roebuck', was unsound. The first lieutenant, George Fisher, clashed with Dampier from the moment the ship left England, and Dampier eventually had him put ashore and imprisoned in Brazil. They reached New Holland successfully, and explored the area a little further, but the crew was hit by scurvy. The 'Roebuck' eventually sank off the Ascension Islands, and the crew had to make their own passage back to England. When he returned in 1701, Dampier was court-martialled for his treatment of Fisher.