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Story: Southland places

Charting the coast

The British navy vessel Acheron charted the coasts of New Zealand, including Fiordland in 1850–51. The insets on this chart show different stretches of water along the coast, including Dusky Sound, so named for the first time.

Using this item

Auckland Council Libraries − Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero o Tāmaki Makaurau, Sir George Grey Special Collections

Reference: NZ Map 883

Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

David Grant, Southland places – Fiordland’s coast, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/20216/charting-the-coast (accessed 24 June 2026).

Story by David Grant, published 2 March 2009, updated 25 May 2015.