Beschreibung:

JOHN BULKELEY (fl.1743) AND JOHN CUMMINS (fl.1743) A Voyage to the South-Seas, in the Years 1740-1. Containing a faithful Narrative of the Loss of His Majesty's Ship the Wager on a desolate Island in the Latitude 47 South, Longitude 81:40 West: With the Proceedings and Conduct of the Officers and Crew, and the Hardships they endured in the said Island for the space of five Months; their bold Attempt for Liberty, in Coasting the Southern Part of the vast Region of Patagonia; setting out with upwards of Eighty Souls in their Boats; the Loss of the Cutter; their Passage through the Streights of Magellan; the several Places where they touch'd and their safe Arrival in Brazil, after sailing one thousand Leagues in a Long-Boat; and their return to England. London: Jacob Robinson, 1743. 8° (195 x 123mm). (Somewhat browned, title stained at edges.) Contemporary sprinkled calf gilt, boards with boarders of double gilt rules, spine gilt in compartments, gilt morocco lettering-piece (board-edges and corners rubbed with small losses, skilfully rebacked retaining original lettering-piece). FIRST EDITION of a rival account of Anson's celebrated circumnavigation, by the gunner and the carpenter of the Wager . Only Anson's flagship Centurion returned to England, while the rest of his squadron 'met with every degree of suffering and death, by violence, exposure, disease, and starvation -- a disaster unequaled in man's penetration towards the far south' (Headland). The authors of this apologia were the leaders in the plot to take to the ship's boat, deserting Captain Cheap, John Byron and several others. Their account was the first to appear on the loss of the Wager , long before Cheap, Byron or even Lord Anson returned to England and published their own accounts. Bulkeley and Cummins certainly sought to profit from their experiences and, more importantly in the face of court-martial, to justify their desertion of Captain Cheap and to clear their characters, which had been 'exceedingly blemish'd' by Lieutenant Bean who reached England before them. Hill 210; Headland 109. JOHN BYRON (1723-1786) The Narrative of the Honourable John Byron. Containing An Account of the Great Distresses Suffered by Himself and His Companions on the Coast of Patagonia, From the Year 1740, till their Arrival in England, 1746. With a Description of St. Jago de Chili, and the Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants. Also with a Description of the Loss of the Wager Man of War, One of Admiral Anson's Squadron. London: S. Baker and G. Leigh, and T. Davies, 1768. 8° (206 x 128mm). Engraved frontispiece, half-title and final blank. Contemporary sprinkled calf, spine gilt in compartments, gilt morocco lettering-piece (spine ends lightly rubbed and chipped). FINE COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION AND A SOURCE FOR LORD BYRON'S DON JUAN . Lord Byron's grandfather John sailed as a midshipman aboard Anson's ship Wager which was wrecked on a rocky island off Patagonia while attempting to round Cape Horn, just one of seven of Anson's ships wrecked or lost before the expedition reached the Pacific. Byron describes the privations endured on board and ashore by the survivors, and of his living off the sea without shelter or clothing and without a full meal in 13 months. Disease, mutiny, madness, starvation, murder and execution ensued. Survivors were tended by the Indians until they were discovered and taken prisoner by the Spanish. After making their way to Chile they eventually reached England five years after their shipwreck. Sabin described it as 'one of the most thrilling accounts in our language' and Lord Byron used particulars of the shipwreck in his epic poem Don Juan . Other rival, survival accounts were published by John Bulkeley and John Cummins, Alexander Campbell and Isaac Morris, all seeking to clear themselves of possible charges of mutiny, murder or desertion. Byron's account was also edited for re-printing in chapbook form as a children's moral instructor. Hill 232; Sab