D'Entrecasteaux was born in France in 1739 and joined the navy in 1754, where he gained a reputation for being an efficient administrator and a hydrographer. In 1786 he was given command of a force in the East Indies, and endeavoured to open up a new route to China.

He was later elected governor of Mauritius, but was recalled to head an expedition to search for the missing Comte de la Perouse who had vanished from Botany Bay in 1788. D'Entrecasteaux failed in his task to find de la Perouse, but did succeed in discovering many islands and territories such as Bruny Island, and much of the southern arm of Tasmania. D'Entrecasteaux died in 1793.

0 of a possible 0 points from 0 votes