Voyages of the Dutch brig of war Dourga : $b through the southern and little-known parts of the Moluccan Archipelago, and along the previously unknown southern coast of New Guinea, performed during the years 1825 & 1826

The book follows a Dutch naval officer who steers the brig Dourga through the largely unmapped southern Moluccas and along the little‑known southern coast of New Guinea in 1825‑26. He records daily hardships, weather, and the curiosity of friends back home who urged him to share these rare observations. His modest tone reflects the physical toll of the journey, yet conveys a clear intent to provide useful information for officials and interested readers.

With the help of his officers and cooperative natives, he drafts accurate charts of islands and coastlines that were sent to the government. The narrative also touches on early European contacts, the Dutch East India Company’s spice monopoly, and the secret trade that persisted among the islands. Readers glimpse sailor life, fragile negotiations with chiefs, and the natural wealth of the region, from pearl banks to trepang fisheries. The account ends before later campaigns, preserving this early leg as a vivid snapshot of a forgotten corner of the world.