Europe first learn of Fiji's existence in 1943, when the Dutch East India yacht "Heemskercq", commanded by Abel Tasman, and the flute "Zeehaen" blundered across the north eastern reefs and islands. Plagued by storm and escaping wreck on the Nanuku Reef before winning clear scared off other marineers and more than 130 years passed before European vessels again braved the perilous waters of what the Dutch called the Prins Wyllems islands.
The second European navigator to venture into Fiji water was Captain James Cook. He seemed to be reluctant to risk the "Resolution" or "Adventure" here. Voyaging from Tonga to the New Hebrides, Vanuatu, he sighted Vatoa (Turtle Island). Fijians on shore fled when a boat from a ship landed. Cook sailed off to the south-west and saw no further Fijian islands.
A lasting legacy of Cook has been the name Feegee or Fiji, based on the Tonga pronunciation of Fiji "Viti"
In April 1789 Bligh was the first European to appreciate the extent and complexity of the Fiji islands, sailing through the heart of the group from south-west and charting the position of the islands with remarkable accuracy.
In 1797 the London Missionary Society ship "Duff", sailing from Tongo to China, entered Fiji waters and was nearly wrecked on a reef. Captain Wilson noted the position of various islands in Northern Lau and sighted Taveuni and parts of Vanua Levu.
The development of Australia as a colony, led to an increase in shipping in the southwest Pacific and some merchant ships inevitably strayed to Fiji. In 1794 the ship "Arthur" approached from the west and escaped after beating off a canoe attack with gunfire.
Fiji's last visitor in the eighteenth century was the American merchant ship "Ann and Hope" from which Beqa, Vatulele, south west Viti Levu and the Mamanuea's were sighted in 1799.
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