James Burney

James Burney - Journal on HMS Discovery, 10 Feb. 1776 - 24 Aug. 1779

Burney's account begins on 10 February when the Resolution and Discovery were commissioned for the voyage. He describes the ship's progress, commenting  especially on the customs of the native people encountered. The journal ends on 24 August 1779 when the ships were in the harbour of St Peter and Paul, Kamchatka. 

The journal includes 2 watercolour sketches: a drawing, by John Webber, of the Kerguelen cabbage [Pringlea antiscorbutica], signed 'J.W.  1777' (vol. 1, p.12);  and a view in the Society Islands, possibly Huaheine, unsigned (vol. 2, p.91). The 20 charts of coasts and ship's tracks include charts of Kerguelen's Land, Adventure Bay (Tasmania), Hawaii, and locations along the north-west coast of America including Nootka Sound, Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet and the Bering Sea. 

Journal comprises four volumes in two. 

Full title: 'Journal of the proceedings of His Majesty's Sloop, the Discovery,  Charles Clerke, Commander, in company with the Resolution, Captain James Cook'.  

ML Safe 1/64
Vol. 1: 10 Feb. 1776 - 11 Oct. 1777 
Vol. 2: 12 Oct. 1777 - 24 July 1778 
Vol. 3:25 July 1778 - 14 Feb. 1779 
Acquired through the NSW Agent General in London in 1922

ML Safe 1/79
Vol. 4: 15 Feb. - 24 Aug. 1779 titled 'Part 2nd of death of Captain Cook by Admiral James Burney' 
Acquired from Dymocks Bookseller, Sydney, in 1921

James Burney

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