Of Sixty Tons Burthen, with Sliding Keels, in the Years 1800, 1801, and 1802, to New South Wales. Including Remarks on the Cape Verde Islands, Cape of Good Hope

By Grant, James, Lieutenant

London: C. Roworth for T. Egerton, 1803. First Edition. 4to.— 27.8 cm. [xxvi], 195pp. Dedication leaf, 2-page list of “Encouragers of this Work”, Erratum and Directions to Binder; large fold-out engraved chart titled “A Sketch of Two Boats and a Cutter with Sliding Keels” bound in before front piece View of the “Lady Nelson”, fold-out chart titled “The N. and W. Parts of Bass’s Straits.” partially hand-colored in outline, 6 engraved plates including hand-colored Fringe Crested Cockatoo; Appendix, all page edges gilt. Complete and in Near Fine. Contemporary tooled calf, black morocco title pieces on spine with five raised bands and gilt ruling with gilt decorative fillets of palm trees, water and island scene; marbled end leaves — all in excellent condition. A Complete and lovely copy of a Very Rare and important publication.

In 1800 as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy, Grant brought the “Lady Nelson” to Australia in company with HMS “Porpoise”. Over the next two years Grant made several voyages of discovery along the New South Wales coastline, but he is best remembered for his work in the Hunter River area resulting in the establishment of Newcastle. The “Lady Nelson” was the first ship to be built with sliding keels to facilitate the exploration of shallow waters. With the revolutionary sliding keels designed by Captain John Schanck, the expedition was able to cruise the shallow waters of the Australian coastline, and make the first passage through the Bass Strait from west to east. One of the most important of the early Australian coastal voyages. This copy is complete with the uncommon leaf headed ‘List of Encouragers’

Provenance: Bearing the private library label of Wm. Mackenzie Williams and the graphite signature of William Williams dated January 1856 on the first blank front free end leaf. This may be an association copy related to a Mr. Williams who served as surveyor on the “Lady Nelson”.

$11500.00 -