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Narrative of the Surveying Voyage of H.M.S. Fly commanded by Captain F.P. Blackwell in Torres Strait, New Guinea, and other islands of the Eastern Archipelago during the years 1842-1846: together with an excursion into the interior of the eastern part of by JUKES, J. Beete
Book Description
London: T. & W. Boone, 1847. First edition, first issue. Two octavo volumes (221 x 142 mm.). With two engraved folding maps including one of the Great Barrier Reef, and nineteen aquatint plates by Harden Sidney Melville. Original cloth, boards stamped in blind, smooth spines stamped in blind and lettered in gilt. Twentieth century bookplate affixed to front pastedowns. Spines slightly faded with a few tiny worm holes. Some marginal worming to text blocks, and a few gatherings becoming loose, though still tight. Overall a very good set. A "very important voyage" (Hill) undertaken for the purpose of surveying the Torres Strait, the Great Barrier Reef, as well as the various regions in New Guinea. "The Admirality decided in 1841 to have the Great Barrier Reefs explored and to have the gaps surveyed in order that some means might be devised for marking the most eligible of these openings, in order that they could be recognised in due time and passed through in comparative safety. The expedition was noteworthy for being the first to be despatched to Australia on a purely surveying mission" (Ingelton, Charting a Continent, pp. 61-6). The voyage was part of a series of hydrographical expeditions undertaken by the Admirality and involving the Jukes' second survey on the Bramble, John Lort Stokes' surveying trip on the Beagle, as well as MacGillivray's on the Rattlesnake. Hill 901.
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