Log entries for June, 1774-06-03 - 1774-06-30
Scope and Contents
The log entries cover the journey from Tahiti to Tonga via Howe’s Island [Lord Howe Island], Palmerston Island, and Savage Island [Niue]. They consist of a single summarised log for 23 May-3 June, followed by daily entries. In the entry for 4 June, Wales records hearing from an islander who arrived by canoe from Huaheine that the Adventure was anchored there along with Mr Banks’ ship, and that he had boarded and they had made him drunk (RGO 14/58: 105v). On 14 June Wales notes that the crew were served bread, ‘all our stock of bread-fruit and plantains being done’ [RGO 14/58: 108]; the following day he records sightings of ‘many hundreds of small sharks’ [RGO 14/58: 108v]. The entry for 16 June includes a description of Palmerston Island [RGO 14/58: 108v]. Further entries record encounters with the local inhabitants. The log for 21 June, for example, describes a skirmish which took place on ‘Savage Island’ [RGO 14/58: 108v], while the entry for 28 June includes physical and behavioural observations about the inhabitants of the Friendly Isles [Tonga], described as ‘by far the most friendly and civilised People of any we have met with in those seas, but ... as great Thieves as any and perhaps the most dexterous ’. Wales also notes their skill in canoe-making, ‘neater workmanship being not to be met with in any carpenter’s shop about London’ [RGO 14/58: 111]. Four maps are included.
Dates
- Creation: 1774-06-03 - 1774-06-30
Creator
- From the File: Wales, William, 1734 - 1798 (astronomer and mathematician) (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Extent
11 folio(s) (11 ff.) : Paper
Language of Materials
English
Original geographic information
French Polynesia [subject]
Original geographic information
Lord Howe Island [subject]
Original geographic information
Niue [subject]
Original geographic information
Palmerston [subject]
Original geographic information
Tahiti [subject]
Original geographic information
Tonga [subject]
Finding aid date
2012-05-09 10:26:57+00:00
Geographic
Repository Details
Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository
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