Tuckey Capt J K (2 results)

Leather-bound. Condition: Good Plus. 3/4 leather with marbled paper sides. Recent rebacking with fresh butterscotch calf spine. Five raised bands (plus top and bottom of spine) each hub with gilt to above and below. Moderate foxing and browning throughout, heavier toward the beginning and end, but text still easily readable. Vocabulary appendix. James Hingston Tuckey (1776-1816) was an Irish-born explorer and a captain in the Royal Navy.At the age oif 17 he joined the navy and went to sea, was engaged in expeditions to the Red Sea, and in 1802 helped expand the British colony of New South Wales in Australia. As first lieutenant of the ship The CALCUTTA, Tuckey was captured by the French and was imprisoned for 9 years. While a prisoner, he married Miss Margaret Stuart, a fellow prisoner. After his release, Tuckey was promoted to the rank of commander and in February 1816 sailed to explore the River Congo in the schooner CONGO, accompany by the stores ship DOROTHY. "Most of the officers and crew died of fever and Tuckey himself died on 14 October, 1816 at age 40, in Moanda.He was described as tall and had been handsome, but long and arduous service broke down his constitution and by thirty he was grey-haired and nearly bald.He was gentle and kind in his manners, cheerful in conversation, and indulgent to those under his command." (Wikipedia).

To which is added the Journal of Professor Smith; and some observations of the Country and its Inhabitants. Published by Permission of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. New York: Published by William B. Gilley 1818. 8vo. Orig. papered boards with the remains of the original printed titling-label on spine. (VIII 410pp.). With a large engrv. map and text-figs. Uncut. Some foxing but an excellent complete copy of the uncommon American edition published at the same time as the London issue. The American edition here offered is particularly scarce as no copy of it is recorded in Sabin. NOTE: In 1802 the author was appointed first lieutenant of H.M.S. Calcutta which was fitted out to take Collin's Expedition to Australia in order to found the settlement at Port Phillip. After returning to England in 1805 his ship was captured by the French and remained a prisoner of war until 1814. In 1816 he was appointed by the Admiralty to lead an official expedition to the Congo.