fl. 1610s

Dutch sea captain who explored part of the west coast of Australia. While attempting to follow a new route for trade with the East Indies, he reached Australia by mistake in October 1616 in his ship, the Eendracht. He left a record of his visit inscribed on a pewter plate on the island known today as Dirk Hartog Island. The surrounding region was subsequently labeled "Eendrachtsland" by the Dutch.