Strait of Buton (Sulawesi-Celebes)

Strait of Buton & de Bougainville

Old antique map of the strait Buton between Paula Buton and Sulawesi (Celebes) Indonesia. It shows part of Wowoni Island as well as South East Sulawesi. In red line: the expedition of Louis-Antoine de Bougainville around the world 1777 between Paula Muna (Pangesani), Sulawesi (Celebes) and Buton. Made by cartographer: Etienne André Philippe de Pretot (1708-1787) (said Philippe Prétot), who was a member of the Académies of Rouen and Angers.

The bottom indicating a V.OC. settlement on the island Bouton: ‘Loge Hollandaise’

Title: Carte du Detroit de Bouton

Louis-Antoine, Comte de Bougainville (November 1729 – August 1811) was a French admiral and explorer. A contemporary of the British explorer James Cook, he took part in the Seven Years’ War in North America and the American Revolutionary War against Britain playing a crucial part in the French victory at the Battle of the Chesapeake (1781).

Bougainville had gained fame for his expeditions, including circumnavigation of the globe in a scientific expedition in 1763, the first recorded settlement on the Falkland Islands (1764), and voyages into the Pacific Ocean. Bougainville Island of Papua New Guinea as well as the Bougainvillea flower were named after him. He would become the 14th navigator, and the first Frenchman, to sail around the world (1766- 1769).