A Voyage round the World, Performed in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788, by the Boussole and Astrolabe

An account of the lost Pacific expedition of La Pérouse (1741–88) first published in English in 1799.

Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse (Author), L. A. Millet-Mureau (Edited by)

9781108031837, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 June 2011

608 pages, 1 b/w illus.
29.7 x 21 x 3.1 cm, 1.44 kg

Jean François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse (1741–88) was a French explorer appointed by Louis XVI to lead an expedition to explore the Pacific Ocean, which ended in disaster when in 1788 the ships left Botany Bay in Australia on course for the islands of Oceania, and were never heard from again. However, La Pérouse had sent back via a British ship letters, journals and charts which form the basis of these detailed volumes (first published in English translation in 1799), providing a fascinating account of the journey and the discoveries of the expedition. They provide valuable insights into the social and political context of contemporary scientific naval expeditions. Volume 1 contains a short biography of La Pérouse, copies of documents concerning the planning and provision of the expedition and a description of the voyage across the Pacific Ocean as far as Korea.

Translator's preface
Editor's preface
Introduction by the editor
Decree of the National Assembly, February 1, 1791
Decree of the National Assembly, April 22, 1791
General list of the officers, men of letters, artists, seaman and marines, embarked on board the frigates la Boussole and l'Astrolabe
Private instructions from the king to the sieur de la Pérouse
Extract from the general instructions of Mr. de la Pérouse, June 26, 1785
Notes geographical and historical, to be subjoined to the king's private instructions to Mr. de la Pérouse
Letter from the marshal de Castries to Mr. de Condorcet, perpetual secretary to the academy of sciences
Memoir drawn up by the academy of science for the astronomers and others, embarked under the command of Mr. de la Pérouse
Questions proposed by the society of medicine to the navigators accompanying Mr. de la Pérouse
Experiments to be made for preserving the water put on board from corruption, communicated to Mr. de la Pérouse, by the abbé Tessier
Memoir for the direction of the gardener in the duties he has to perform on his voyage round the world, by Mr. Thouin
Catalogue of goods and merchandise put on board the vessels under the order of Mr. de la Pérouse, for the purpose of barter, and making presents
Summary of the instruments of astronomy, navigation, natural philosophy, chemistry, &c. &c. for the use of the men of science and artists employed in the voyage of discovery
Catalogue of books of voyages, astronomy, navigation, physics, natural history, delivered to Mr. de la Pérouse, for the use of the officers and men of science embarked under his command
Narrative of an interesting voyage of the frigate la Princess, from Manilla to San Blas, in 1780, 1781
Extract from the account of a voyage made in 1779, by Don Francisco Antonio Maurelle, ensign of a frigate in the service of the king of Spain, to explore the western coast of North America: 1. Object of the expedition
2. Description of the island of St. Catherine
3. Description of Conception
4. Description of Easter Island
5. Excursion of Mr. de Langle into the interior parts of Easter Island
6. Departure from Easter Island
7. Departure from the Sandwich Islands
8. Continuation of our stay at Port des Français
9. Description of Port des Français
10. Departure from Port des Français
11. Description of Monterey Bay
12. Astronomical observations
13. Departure from Monterey
14. Arrival at Macao
15. Arrival at Cavite
16. Departure from Cavite.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]