John Strong was an English mariner.

During an expedition from London to South America in 1689–91, commanding HMS Welfare, he discovered the sound between the two main islands in the Falkland Islands.[1] He named it Falkland Sound for Anthony Cary, 5th Viscount of Falkland, a part-owner in the Welfare. Anthony partly sponsored his journey. Later, the name Falkland was adopted to the entire archipelago.

On 27 January 1690, he made the first recorded landing in the Falkland Islands. The expedition continued through the Strait of Magellan.[1] His expedition also recorded the first sighting of the Falkland Islands wolf[2]

John Strong left a legacy that continued into the 1700s. In 1765, the English founded their first permanent colony, Port Egmont.

References edit

  1. ^ a b Headland, Robert K. (2009). A Chronology of Antarctic exploration. London: Quaritch. ISBN 978-0-9550852-8-4.
  2. ^ http://www.falklands-museum.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=192%3Athe-first-sighting&catid=63%3Astories-of-the-warrah&Itemid=267