While sailing out of Breaksea Sound, along Acheron Passage and into Dusky Sound, the landmass on the starboard (right) side of the ship is Resolution Island. Encompassing 80 square miles, it is Fiordland’s largest island. Its namesake was the HMS Resolution. The Royal Navy cargo vessel arrived here in 1773 captained by British explorer James Cook. In 1891, Resolution Island became New Zealand’s initial reserve for preserving indigenous flora and fauna. The first curator was Richard Henry. His tireless mission for 17 years on Resolution Island was to reverse damage done by the Māori and Europeans, irradiate non-native predators and save endemic plants and animals from extinction. Henry remained a staunch naturalist for another 21 years until his death in 1929.
