John Moresby

Background

Moresby was born in Allerford, Somerset, England, the son of Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby.

Career

He joined the Navy at an early age as a Volunteer 1st Class in HMS Victor, and rose to be in charge of the 1,031 ton paddle steamer cruiser HMS Basilisk in which he made hydrological surveys around eastern New Guinea. During the survey of the southern coast he discovered the harbour which he named Fairfax after his father. The town established there, based on already existing native villages (principally Hanuabada) was named Portuguese Moresby and is now the nation"s capital.

John Moresby was also searching for a shorter route between Australia and China and on the eastern tip of the island he discovered the China Straits.

He continued exploring along the north west coast as far as the Huon Gulf. On 29 September 1876, Moresby took command of HMS Endymion, remaining in this position until 6 March 1878.

He was later promoted to Rear Admiral and died on 12 July 1922 in Fareham, Hampshire, England. Walter Halliday Moresby Commander of the Order of the British Empire (9 November 1861 – 24 April 1951), lawyer and spy

Elizabeth Louisa Moresby (1862–1931) became a well-known writer under a variety of pseudonyms

Ethel Fortescue Moresby (1865 - ?), married Frederick Haines

Georgina Moresby (23 July 1867 - ?), married Peyton Temple Mackeson

Donald Fairfax Mackeson

Hilda Fairfax Moresby (16 December 1868 – 16 August 1893), accidentally drowned

Gladys Moresby (5 April 1870 - ?).

Works

• book

  • New Guinea Polynesia: Discoveries Surveys in New Guinea and the D'entrecasteaux Islands; A Cruise in Polynesia and Visits to the Pearl-Shelling ... of H. M. S. Basilisk (Classic Reprint)

    (Excerpt from New Guinea Polynesia: Discoveries Surveys in...)

  • DISCOVERIES & SURVEYS IN NEW GUINEA AND THE D'ENTRECASTEAUX ISLANDS

    (PP xx + 327 + 32 (catalog) with 5 maps, including folding...)

  • New Guinea & Polynesia: Discoveries & Surveys in New Guinea and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands - Scholar's Choice Edition

    ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

  • New Guinea and Polynesia. Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands: a Cruise in Polynesia and Visits to the Pearl-shelling Stations in Torres Straits of H.M.S. Basilisk

    (This Elibron Classics title is a reprint of the original ...)

  • New Guinea and Polynesia: Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands: a Cruise in Polynesia and Visits to the Pearl-shelling Stations in Torres Straits of H.M.S. Basilisk

    (This Elibron Classics edition is a facsimile reprint of a...)

  • New Guinea & Polynesia: Discoveries & Surveys in New Guinea and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands

    (This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)

  • New Guinea & Polynesia: Discoveries & Surveys in New Guinea and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands (Paperback) - Common

    (This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)

  • New Guinea & Polynesia: Discoveries & Surveys in New Guinea and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands; A Cruise in Polynesia and Visits to the Pearl-Shelling Stations in Torres Straits of H. M. S. Basilisk (Paperback) - Common

    (This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before ...)

  • New Guinea & Polynesia; Discoveries & Surveys in New Guinea and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands; A Cruise in Polynesia and Visits to the Pearl-Shelling St

    (This historic book may have numerous typos and missing te...)

  • New Guinea & Polynesia: Discoveries & Surveys in New Guinea and the D'entrecasteaux Islands; a Cruise in Polynesia and Visits to the Pearl-Shelling Stations in Torres Straits of H. M. S. Basilisk

    (This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)

  • New Guinea & Polynesia. Discoveries & surveys in New Guinea and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands; a cruise in Polynesia and visits to the pearl-shelling stations in Torres Straits of H. M. S. Basilisk

    (This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)

  • New Guinea & Polynesia: Discoveries & Surveys in New Guinea and the d'Entrecasteaux Islands; A Cruise in Polynesia and Visits to the Pearl-Shelling ... of H. M. S. Basilisk (Classic Reprint)

    (New Guinea coast, first placed on the chart by H.M.S. Bas...)

  • New Guinea and Polynesia. Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands: a Cruise in Polynesia and Visits to the Pearl-shelling Stations in Torres Straits of H.M.S. Basilisk.

    (Elibron Classics. Replica of 1876 edition by John Murray,...)

  • New Guinea and Polynesia: A Cruise in Polynesia and Visits to the Pearl-Shelling Stations in Torres Straits of H. M. S. Basilisk
  • New Guinea & Polynesia: Discoveries & Surveys in New Guinea and the D'Entrecasteaux Islands By Moresby, John ( Author ) 2011 ) Hardcover

Connections

Father:

Fairfax Moresby