Description
Rare engraving from the official British Admiralty
sanctioned edition of the accounts of Cook’s second voyage.
Cook followed the coast of Tierra del Fuego (Chile) at the end of December 1774 making for Cape Horn. The coast comprised of hundreds of small islands, some of which were charted and named but many were not. The Resolution was kept at a safe distance from the shore and soon passed the Grafton Islands, Noir Island, Tower Rocks and the Gilbert Islands (named after the Master). On the 19th they passed a large inlet, which is now called Cook Bay. Cook needed provisions and to check the state of the Resolution,so he found an inlet suitable for this purpose on the 20th. They stayed there for eight days over Christmas, which earned the inlet the name Christmas Sound.
References; Beddie 1381-32, p.267, Joppien 2.14oC, ill.p.242
From Cook’s, A Voyage Towards the South Pole, and Round the World, performed in His Majesty’s Ships the ‘Resolution’ and ‘Adventure’, In the Years 1772, 1773, 1774, and 1775.
