The northern extremity of New Guinea is all but severed from the mainland by the deep MacCluer Inlet, running eastwards towards Geelvink Bay which deeply indents the northern coast.
Southwards from Geelvink Bay the north-east coast is more regular than the south-western.
New Guinea was actually annexed in 1793 by two commanders in the East India Company's service, and the island of Manasvari in Geelvink Bay was held for some months by their troops.
von Rosenberg in the Geelvink Bay districts in1869-1870(report published at The Hague in 1875).