Although first mapped in some detail in the late 1780s by British naval commanders, the Andaman Islands remained in relative obscurity well into the early 19th century. The British founded several minor colonies on the island including the penal colonies of Port Chatham and Port Cornwallis. These initial forays into settling the islands were general failures due to high instances of disease and an exceptionally fierce indigenous population. In 1824, shortly after Norie issued the 1817 first edition of this map, the Andaman Islands attained greater significance. Port Cornwallis, on the northwestern coast of Great Andaman, was chosen as a staging point for British fleets transporting troops to Pegu to fight in the First Burmese War. The Second Anglo-Burmese War – which ended with Brita.
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