A Chronological History of the Discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean

Standard reference collection of summaries of European voyages of discovery between 1492 and 1764, first published between 1803 and 1817.

James Burney (Author)

9781108024129, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 17 February 2011

266 pages, 3 b/w illus. 1 map
29.7 x 21 x 1.4 cm, 0.65 kg

Captain James Burney (1750–1821), the son of the musicologist Dr Charles Burney and brother of the novelist Fanny Burney, was a well-travelled sailor, best known for this monumental compilation of voyages of discovery in the Pacific Ocean. After joining the navy in 1764, he sailed on Cook's second voyage between 1772 and 1774, and was also present on the ill-fated third voyage. He retired from the navy in 1784 and turned to writing works on exploration. These volumes, published between 1803 and 1817, and regarded as the standard work on the subject for much of the nineteenth century, contain collected accounts of European voyages of discovery in the Pacific Ocean between 1492 and 1764. Burney provides summaries of Spanish, Dutch and English accounts, which include descriptions of voyages to China, Micronesia and Australia. Volume 5 covers voyages between 1724 and 1764, including Commodore George Aston's circumnavigation.

1. The Carolinas, or New Philippine Islands
2. Voyage of Lozier Bouvet, in 1738–9, to search for lands in the southern Atlantic Ocean
3. Voyage round the world, by Commodore George Anson
4. Wreck of the British frigate The Wager
and the subsequent proceedings and adventures of Captain David Cheap, and his ship's company
5. Missionary voyage to Patagonia. Voyage of the French ship Le Condé of St. Malo
6. Voyage of the Spanish ship Leon, to Chili and Peru
and her return to Europe
7. Monsieur de Bougainville to the Malouines, or Falkland Islands
8. Of islands marked in the charts of the Pacific Ocean, and in the tables of situations, concerning which no other notices are found
9. Concluding chapter: being a revision or supplement
Index to the complete work.

Subject Areas: History [HB]