A log of the proceedings of His Majesties Sloop Resolution on discoveries towards the North Pole (James Cook Esqr. Commander) by Henry Roberts, Mate, 1 Dec. 1776 - 30 Nov. 1779

fonds

1776-1779

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Manuscript Cartographic Materials, Watercolours

457569

Microfilm : MAV/FM4/2222, frames 1-496 (DLMSQ 151-DLMSQ 152 ; DLMSF 2)

3 v. - 0.66 Meters
Textual Records - (manuscript)
Drawings - (watercolours)
Drawings - (maps)

Henry Roberts was born in 1757 and entered the Royal Navy at the age of 15 as an able-bodied seaman. He joined HMS Resolution on Captain Cook's second Pacific voyage (1772-75). On the voyage he revealed his capacities for drawing and became a skilled cartographer. He served as master's mate on Cook's third voyage (1776-1780) and was later employed in drawing charts of the voyage for engraving. He died in 1796 of yellow fever whilst captain of the frigate 'Undaunted'.

The manuscript component is in the form of a log-journal (2 v.) illustrated with watercoloured charts and sketches, with the 'remarks' column expanded to describe the activities of the expedition at various places visited. Entries commence near the Cape of Good Hope and go on to include: Kerguelen Island, Tasmania, New Zealand, Tonga, Society Island, Christmas Island, Hawaiian Island, the west coast of North America, Alaska, the Bering Sea, the east coast of Kamchatka and the maritime provinces of Siberia and Japan. Roberts describes the geography and natural history of these places remarking on the appearance, manners and customs of their inhabitants and their relations with the expedition. He records the performance of various shipboard duties, including cleaning & smoking between decks, food provision and punishments.

VOLUME 1
Log, 1 Dec. 1776 - 3 Oct. 1778 (SAFE/DLMSQ 151)

VOLUME 2
Log, 4 Oct. 1778 - 30 Nov. 1779 (SAFE/DLMSQ 152)
The circumstances of Cook's death are detailed (DLMSQ 152, p.40). A table of latitudes and longitudes for the Hawaiian Islands is also given (DLMSQ 152, p.53).
The journal closes with: 'At 4 hours. Afternoon we made the coast of China when the journals, charts and papers were demanded by the Captain through order of the Lords of the Admiralty from the officers and people.'
Volume 2 also includes a contemporary copy of 'Average account of the Seven Stars brigantine M. Kruger Master, stranded 4th March 1787, from Ostend laden with deals bound to Nance.[certified by] H.M. Brooker.' and 'An account of sale of cargo, hull and material of the brigantine Seven Stars Mich. Kruger Master stranded in this port on the 4th March 1787 and sold in part duty free to defray the charges of salvage.'

VOLUME 3
Charts, 1776 - 1779 (SAFE/DLMSF 2)
Comprises four charts found loose in DLMSQ 151 and DLMSQ 152 and mounted:
Chart 1. Kerguelen Island, chart of the NE coast of the Island of Desolation Dec. 1776 ; Chart 2. Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet, Alaska chart showing ship's track, May-June 1778 ;
Chart 3. Iwo Jima Island, Kazan Group, 'Sulphur Island' Nov. 1779 ;
Chart 4. Banca Strait, Sumatra, 'Plain chart of Banca by Capt. Charles Gustavus Ekeberg'.

Vol. 2 (DLMSQ 152) is bound in rough calf. Both volumes were paginated in the Library. Loose charts found in both volumes were removed and mounted as DLMSF 2.

The preservation microfilm copy at MAV/FM4/2222 (frames 1-69) includes Peter Briscoe's journal, 27 May 1768 - 14 May 1770, on H.M. Bark Endeavour (DLMS 96).

DLMSQ 151 has an authenticating note in another hand signed 'Dan Roberts, son to Henry Roberts and retired Captain in the Royal Navy'.