John Shortland (Royal Navy officer)

John Shortland (1739 – 4 March 1803) was a British Royal Navy officer who is primarily remembered for his exploration and charting of the New South Wales coast of Australia in 1797.

Born in 1739, Shortland entered the Royal Navy at a young age. He rose through the ranks, eventually achieving the rank of captain. Prior to his Australian voyage, he served in various theaters, including North America during the American Revolutionary War. He served under the command of Admiral Arthur Phillip, and later, Captain William Bligh.

In 1797, while serving as an agent for transports in the First Fleet, Shortland was tasked with delivering supplies to the penal colony at the Hunter River (now Newcastle, New South Wales). On his return voyage to Sydney aboard the Reliance, Shortland sighted a bay which he named Port Stephens. Continuing north, he also discovered and named the Hunter River, initially calling it the Coal River, after noticing coal deposits in the area. He accurately charted the coastline and reported on its potential for settlement and resource extraction. His reports contributed significantly to the understanding of the region.

Shortland was also responsible for reporting the wreck of the Sydney Cove, a merchant ship that ran aground near Preservation Island in the Furneaux Group (Bass Strait) in 1797. Some of the salvaged cargo, including rum, was the reason for the attempted voyage to Sydney when the Sydney Cove's longboat was wrecked.

John Shortland died in Plymouth, England on 4 March 1803. His explorations helped to open up the Hunter region for further exploration and eventual settlement. His son, also named John Shortland, continued the family's association with Australia, playing an important role in the early development of Newcastle.