Journal of a voyage for the discovery of a north-west passage from the Atlantic

Description: Captain William Edward Parry’s journey to discover the Northwest Passage Title: Journal of a voyage for the discovery of a north-west passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific; performed in the years 1819-20, in His Majesty’s Ships Hecla and Griper, under the orders of William Edward, R.N., F.R.S., and commander of the expedition. With an appendix, containing the scientific and other observations (London, 1821) The complete report on one of the most seminal voyages of Arctic exploration in the 19th century. These are the official reports of Sir William Edward Parry‘s second expedition to the Arctic and his bold attempt to find a Northwest Passage linking the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean. While this would only be accomplished in 1906 by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, Parry pushed his crew further westward than any previous attempt had done. He also demonstrated the possibility of wintering in the Arctic, setting a new standard for polar exploration. To this day, historians consider Parry’s second expedition one of the crucial step to achieving the great Arctic breakthroughs of the early 20th century. Census This is the second and corrected edition of Parry’s famous report, issued in two volumes and published by John Murray of London, the primary publisher of the British Admiralty. The report is famous for its important depictions and maps of the remote Arctic. Neatline’s example includes all 31 illustrations, making it an intact and complete copy. The illustrations include nine aquatints (Vol. I), six steel engravings (Vol. II), six engravings with coastal profiles, and ten distinct maps. The OCLC does not list any printed examples of this second edition from 1821, but several institutional examples of an edition published by Murray in London in 1824. We presume this is registration error and that OCLC no. 83623689 refers to the original second edition from 1821. Context is Everything Captain William Edward Parry's expedition in 1819-1820 to find the Northwest Passage was a pivotal moment in Arctic exploration. Leading His Majesty's Ships Hecla and Griper, Parry second voyage became one of the most significant early attempts to navigate this elusive route across the Arctic. Parry's mission followed an earlier, less successful expedition led by Captain John Ross, in which Parry had served as a lieutenant. The primary objective was to explore Lancaster Sound, a potential gateway to the Northwest Passage that Ross had mistakenly reported as blocked by mountains. Determined to correct this, Parry set sail in May 1819 with a crew of nearly 100 men. Upon reaching Lancaster Sound, Parry’s expedition achieved an early success by proving that the Sound was not blocked, but rather opened into a vast seaway. This was a critical breakthrough, as it validated the idea that a navigable route through the Arctic could indeed exist. The expedition then sailed westward into what Parry named Barrow Strait, pushing further than any previous explorers had done. The journey was not without its challenges. The ships encountered heavy pack ice as they moved westward, and by September 1819, they reached Melville Island at approximately 110°W longitude. This marked a historic milestone, earning Parry a £5,000 reward from the British government, which had been offered to any expedition that could reach such a longitude within the Arctic Circle. Wintering at Melville Island, in what Parry aptly named Winter Harbour, the expedition endured ten months of harsh Arctic conditions, including three months of complete darkness and temperatures dropping to -54°F (-48°C). Despite the extreme conditions, Parry's leadership ensured the crew's morale remained high. He introduced regular activities, including theatrical performances and the publication of a shipboard newspaper (the North Georgia Gazette and Winter Chronicle). His innovative approach not only kept the men occupied, but also demonstrated that with proper preparation, it was possible for ships and crews to survive an Arctic winter. As the ice began to break up in the summer of 1820, Parry once again attempted to push further west, but his progress was once again impeded by pack ice. Recognizing the risks of spending another winter in the Arctic, Parry decided to return to England. The expedition arrived back in October 1820, having lost only one crew member—a testament to Parry’s effective leadership and careful planning. Parry's expedition, which charted new territories and demonstrated the feasibility of wintering in the Arctic, was hailed as one of the most productive in the quest for the Northwest Passage. Although the passage itself remained undiscovered, Parry's journey expanded European knowledge of the Arctic and paved the way for future explorations. His accounts of the voyage were published in 1821 and widely celebrated, earning him a promotion and solidifying his place as a key figure in Arctic exploration history. Cartographer: Sir William Edward Parry (1790-1855) was a distinguished British naval officer and Arctic explorer, most known for his attempts to discover the Northwest Passage. Born in Bath, England, Parry joined the Royal Navy at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks. His early career included service during the Napoleonic Wars, but he is best remembered for his feats of explorations. His first major expedition to the Arctic was in 1818 under Captain John Ross, but it was his subsequent command of HMS Hecla and HMS Griper in 1819-1820 that brought him significant acclaim. This expedition ventured further west than any previous attempt and set new standards for polar exploration. Throughout his career, Parry led several expeditions, each contributing valuable geographical and scientific knowledge. His achievements earned him a promotion to the rank of commander and later, fellowships with prestigious institutions like the Royal Society. Parry’s detailed accounts of his voyages were widely read and hugely influential, cementing his legacy as one of the foremost Arctic explorers of the 19th century. Despite the ultimate failure to find a navigable Northwest Passage during his lifetime, Parry's expeditions significantly advanced European understanding of the Arctic and laid the groundwork for future explorations.

Price: 975 USD

Location: Belvedere Tiburon, California

End Time: 2024-12-18T10:24:00.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5.38 USD