in which the coast of north-west America has been carefully examined and accurately surveyed... principally with a view to ascertain the existence of any navigable communication between the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans; and performed in the years 1790, 1791, 1792, 1794, and 1795, in the Discovery Sloop of War, and Armed Tender Chatham, under the command of Captain George Vancouver.
London, Robinson and Edwards, 1798
Vancouver's voyage ranks among the most important in exploration literature. Lada-Mocarski refers to it as 'one of the most important voyages for the history and the cartography of the northwest coast in general and of Alaska in particular' (Lada-Mocarski).
George Vancouver (1757-1798) had gained valuable experience on Cook's second and third voyages. He sailed by way of the Cape of Good Hope to Australia, where he discovered King George's sound and Cape Hood, then to New Zealand, Hawaii, and the north-west coast of America. In three seasons' work Vancouver surveyed the coast of California, visited San Francisco and San Diego and other Spanish settlements in Alta California … investigated the Strait of Juan de Fuca, discovered the Strait of Georgia, circumnavigated Vancouver Island, and disproved the existence of any passage between the Pacific and Hudson Bay.
'Of all the men who served under Cook, Vancouver was the only one whose work as a hydrographic surveyor placed him in the same class as his mentor. The care Vancouver took with the health of his crew during this voyage also mirrored Cook's achievements … Almost all the names given by Vancouver on the north-west coast of America have survived' (ODNB). Vancouver retired to Surrey in 1795 to revise his journal for publication; the work was uncompleted on his death in 1798, and was completed by his brother John.
First edition. 4 vols comprising 3 vols 4to text, 1 volume atlas folio, 34 engraved plates and maps (17 engraved views and one map in text vols, atlas with 10 maps and 6 coastal profiles, all folding); text volumes modern tree calf gilt preserving old labels, atlas modern half calf to match, some browning to text.
George Vancouver (1757-1798) had gained valuable experience on Cook's second and third voyages. He sailed by way of the Cape of Good Hope to Australia, where he discovered King George's sound and Cape Hood, then to New Zealand, Hawaii, and the north-west coast of America. In three seasons' work Vancouver surveyed the coast of California, visited San Francisco and San Diego and other Spanish settlements in Alta California … investigated the Strait of Juan de Fuca, discovered the Strait of Georgia, circumnavigated Vancouver Island, and disproved the existence of any passage between the Pacific and Hudson Bay.
'Of all the men who served under Cook, Vancouver was the only one whose work as a hydrographic surveyor placed him in the same class as his mentor. The care Vancouver took with the health of his crew during this voyage also mirrored Cook's achievements … Almost all the names given by Vancouver on the north-west coast of America have survived' (ODNB). Vancouver retired to Surrey in 1795 to revise his journal for publication; the work was uncompleted on his death in 1798, and was completed by his brother John.
First edition. 4 vols comprising 3 vols 4to text, 1 volume atlas folio, 34 engraved plates and maps (17 engraved views and one map in text vols, atlas with 10 maps and 6 coastal profiles, all folding); text volumes modern tree calf gilt preserving old labels, atlas modern half calf to match, some browning to text.
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