James Raymond Wellsted facts for kids

Map of Oman by Wellsted (1838)

James Raymond Wellsted (born 1805, died 1842) was a brave lieutenant in the Indian navy. He traveled a lot around the Arabian Peninsula in the 1830s, exploring new places and mapping them.

James Raymond Wellsted's Journeys

As a second lieutenant, Wellsted worked on a ship called the Palinurus. This ship was part of the East India Company and was used for surveying. In 1830, he helped map the Gulf of 'Aqabah and the northern part of the Red Sea.

Exploring the Red Sea and Socotra

After his first trip, Wellsted returned to Bombay in 1833. He was then sent to map the southern coast of Arabia. In January 1834, the Palinurus sailed to Socotra, an island. Wellsted spent two months there, studying the island. He later wrote a book about his findings called Memoir on the island of Socotra.

Adventures in Oman

In November 1835, Wellsted received special permission to travel in Oman. He went with another lieutenant, F Whitelock. They explored areas that very few Europeans had ever seen before. Wellsted wrote about his journey in a scientific paper.

The next winter, he went back to Oman. However, he became very ill with a fever. During this time, he had a serious accident that caused him severe injuries. He was then taken back to Bombay for treatment. From there, he returned to London to recover. He left the navy in 1839. Wellsted passed away in 1842 at his family's home in Marylebone, London.

Wellsted's Legacy

Wellsted's travel notes and discoveries were shared with the Royal Geographical Society. Scientists quickly recognized his important work. He became a member of the Royal Society in 1837. He was also a member of the Astronomical Society. His fair and detailed descriptions of Oman's geography and culture are still very important today. They give us a special look at the area from a long time ago.

His Family's Contributions

Wellsted's niece was Kate Marsden. She was a nurse who became a famous explorer. Kate traveled thousands of miles across Russia to Siberia, showing her own adventurous spirit.

Books About Wellsted

• Fiction: Secret of the Sands by Sara Sheridan, published by HarperCollins 2011