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Tahiti Discovered
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Tahiti Discovered
Captain Samuel Wallis, of the Royal Navy, discovers Tahiti, in the Society Islands, but is attacked by the natives in their boats as he anchors off the shore
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Media ID 597889
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10147804
1767 Anchors Attacked Discovered Discovers Natives Pacific Samuel Shore Tahiti Wallis
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image captures the moment of discovery and conflict between European explorers and the indigenous people of Tahiti in 1767. In the foreground, Captain Samuel Wallis of the Royal Navy stands resolute on the deck of his ship, the HMS Dolphin, as native Tahitians in their canoes approach menacingly. Wallis, dressed in his naval uniform, raises his hand in a gesture of peace, but the natives, wielding spears and paddles, appear ready for battle. The background of the photograph shows the lush, tropical landscape of Tahiti, with its verdant mountains and crystal-clear waters. The Society Islands, as they came to be known, were a prized destination for European explorers due to their strategic location in the Pacific Ocean and their rich natural resources. Wallis was the first European to discover Tahiti, making landfall on June 14, 1767. Initially, the encounter was peaceful, with the Tahitians welcoming the explorers with food and gifts. However, tensions soon escalated, leading to violent clashes between the two groups. The incident marked the beginning of a complex and often tumultuous relationship between Europeans and the people of the Pacific Islands. This historical photograph, from the extensive collection of Mary Evans Picture Library, offers a fascinating glimpse into a pivotal moment in Pacific history. It reminds us of the far-reaching impact of European exploration and the complexities of cultural encounters between different peoples and civilizations.
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