1823day.year
Sailor Benjamin Morrell erroneously reported the existence of the island of New South Greenland near Antarctica.
Explorer Benjamin Morrell mistakenly reports a phantom island near Antarctica, later named New South Greenland.
In 1823, American seafarer Benjamin Morrell published accounts of a supposed island he called New South Greenland.
He claimed to have sighted and charted this landmass near Antarctica during his southern voyages.
Later explorers found no trace of the island Morrell described, revealing it as a cartographic error.
Despite its inaccuracy, the phantom island appeared on many maps throughout the 19th century.
Morrell’s tale highlights the challenges and uncertainties of early polar exploration.
It served as a cautionary example for navigators relying on unverified reports.
1823
Benjamin Morrell
erroneously reported
New South Greenland
Antarctica