ABSTRACT
THE PACIFIC’S PENETRATION by sixteenth century European mariners uncomfortable beyond their own familiar seas, the belated arrival of mainly square-rigged ships around the great capes where prevailing winds meant Good Hope was first doubled only by two months’ running south beyond it before turning northeast – all this seafaring by literate men meant passages, landfalls and experiences could be more permanently noted. In the end it involved Europe’s appropriation as well as creation of tropical coastlines’ trade and eventually sovereignty too, after delay caused by other preoccupations and cultural prescriptions in Europe and elsewhere.
