William Robert Broughton's Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific 1795-1798

Edited and richly annotated by Lt Cdr Andrew David, this volume offers for the first time a complete transcript of the handwritten log kept by William Broughton on his voyage to the North Pacific (1795-98), together with supplementary letters and the journal of Broughton's journey across Mexico. An extensive introduction by Professor Barry Gough places the voyage in its historical context. Broughton had first visited the North Pacific in 1792 in command of the brig Chatham during Vancouver's voyage. When negotiations between Vancouver and Juan Francisco Bodega y Quadra reached an impasse, Broughton was sent back to London to seek fresh instructions, travelling across Mexico and returning to Europe in Spanish ships. Back in London in July 1793 he was appointed in command of the sloop Providence with orders to rejoin Vancouver in the Pacific, taking with him the astronomer John Crosley. The outbreak of war with France delayed Broughton's departure until February 1795, with the result that, on reaching Hawaii, he learned that Vancouver had already sailed for England. After consulting with his officers, Broughton decided to cross the North Pacific and complete the surveys left unfinished by Cook's third voyage and to enable Crosley to make astronomical observations. Accordingly, Broughton made for the north coast of Honshu and proceeded to examine the southernmost of the Kurile Islands before making for Macau, examining the coasts of the Japanese Islands on the way. In Macau Broughton purchased a schooner before continuing his survey. Sadly the Providence was wrecked on an uncharted reef off the Ryukyu Islands, the crew being rescued by the schooner. Broughton returned to Macau, resumed his survey in the schooner, and in her reached the head of the Gulf of Tartary and examined part of the south coast of Korea. He ended his voyage in Macau in November 1797.