Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake Volume 1   By: John MacGillivray (1822-1867)

John MacGillivray's "Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake Volume 1" is a gripping account of a scientific expedition undertaken by the British ship Rattlesnake in the mid-19th century. The author, who was the naturalist and geologist on board the ship, provides detailed descriptions of the places visited, the people encountered, and the scientific discoveries made during the voyage.

MacGillivray's writing is engaging and informative, giving readers a firsthand look at what life was like on a naval expedition in the 1800s. His observations of the flora and fauna of the various islands and coastlines visited are rich and detailed, and his insights into the cultures and languages of the indigenous peoples encountered are fascinating.

One of the standout aspects of the book is MacGillivray's ability to convey the excitement and sense of adventure that must have accompanied the crew on their journey. His passion for exploration and discovery shines through in his writing, making the reader feel as though they are right there alongside him on the deck of the Rattlesnake.

Overall, "Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake Volume 1" is a captivating and well-written account of a remarkable voyage of scientific discovery. Whether you are interested in maritime history, natural science, or simply enjoy a good adventure story, this book is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers.

First Page:

It was originally intended that an account of the Surveying Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake should have been undertaken conjointly by the late Captain Owen Stanley and myself, in which case the narrative would have been constructed from the materials afforded by the journals of both, and the necessary remarks upon hydrographical subjects would have been furnished by that officer, whose lamented death in March, 1850, prevented this arrangement from being carried out. Not having had access to Captain Stanley's private journals, I considered myself fortunate, when the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty in addition to sanctioning the publication of my account of the Voyage in question directed that every facility should be afforded me in consulting the manuscript charts and other hydrographical results at their disposal, and to Rear Admiral Sir F... Continue reading book >>