53453596 (1 results)

Very good. Even overall toning. Light wear along original centerfold. Blank on verso. Size 6.5 x 14 Inches. This is a 1773 Captain James Cook set of two maps of the entrance to the Endeavour River and Botany Bay in Australia, both of which Cook discovered on his first voyage. Each map focuses on its respective region, with the Endeavour River on the left and Botany Bay on the right. Entrance of Endeavour River The map of the entrance to the Endeavor River illustrates a significant part of Cook's first voyage, as he was forced to beach his ship, the Endeavour at the mouth of the river for seven weeks to undergo repairs after the ship hit the Endeavour Reef. Since Cook and his crew were in effect marooned in this remote part of the world, they made the best of their situation by making contact with the local Guugu Yimithirr Aborigines, collecting samples of the local flora, and making sketches of the flora and fauna found in the region. Cook is also responsible for naming the river, bestowing upon it the name of the ship that was beached on its banks for nearly two months. Mangroves, where to find fresh water, and the depth of the river at 'low water' are noted, giving the viewer some idea of the area. Botany Bay Just as Cook was the first European to set eyes on the Endeavour River, he also has the distinction of being the first European to enter Botany Bay. From Cook's official journal of the voyage, it is said that the name 'Botany Bay' came about because of the large number of botanical specimens his naturalists, Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander, were able to collect in the region. It is known that Cook and others on the voyage originally named the bay Stingray Bay due to the variety of fish they found living in the bay. It is unclear why Cook changed his mind as to the bay's name. The map itself illustrates the bay including both Georges River and Cooks River. Depth soundings throughout the bay indicate water depth in fathoms at low tide. Locations of fresh water are also noted. Census and Publication History This map was engraved by John Gibson and Thomas Bowen and published in the first official account of Captain Cook's first voyage. This map is present in the collection of around twenty institutions and it is scarce on the private market. References: Rumsey 3403.047. OCLC.