Family copy of crew member with letters. Lt. Henry Gibbons served on H.M.S. Leven and died on December 26th 1822 from fever. The same fate was to befall Charles William Browne who wrote the letter to Gibbons' mother. The narrative records that Gibbons' remains were deposited in 'a beautifully secluded spot with full military honours' and continues with Browne's eulogy to his friend.
Owen's orders were to commence his first survey at the mouth of the Keiskamma to Delagoa Bay and in a second survey travel between Delagoa Bay along the coasts of Sofala and Mozambique. His brief was to gather information regarding the numbers and character of the natives, their occupations, modes of subsistence etc., the nature of the soil and production. In the second instance he should investigate the navigability of the rivers, the Imhamban, the Sofala and Quilimaney to receive particular attention. Owen accurately charted the Arabian Peninsula. He also delineated both the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines of South Africa with great accuracy and also began the scientific exploration of the Zambezi.


First edition. 2 volumes, 8vo., xxiii, 434; viii, 420 pp., errata slip, 5 lithograph plates (lightly spotted), 4 folding charts and 6 vignettes, contemporary ink inscription at head of titles, with long loosely inserted autograph letter to the mother of Lt. Henry Gibbons relating the news of his death (the envelope taped to the page in the narrative containing details of his burial), note by Gibbons' sister Mrs J. H. Pindar) tipped-in, contemporary half green calf, spines tanned, one label defective, modern green calf drop-backed box.