the N.W. coast of America, but detained in consequence of an expected rupture with the court of Spain. That cloud having blown over, she was ordered to Nootka Sound, for the purpose of receiving formal restitution of the territories on which the Spaniards had seized; after which she was to make an accurate survey of the coast, and obtain every possible information respecting the natural and political situation of that country.
The Discovery, attended by a brig called the Chatham, commanded by Lieutenant W. R. Broughton[1], proceeded on her voyage early in 1791; visited the Canary Islands, Cape of Good Hope, New Holland, and New Zealand; discovered the island of Oparo; touched at Otaheite, and all the Sandwich islands; made considerable discoveries on the N.W. coast of America; and arrived at Nootka Sound in the autumn of 1792. At this place some disputes arose with the Spanish authorities; in consequence of which, Captain Vancouver despatched officers to England for further instructions, and at the same time appointed Mr. Manby Master of the Chatham. For nearly two years from this period, the vessels were employed exploring a considerable portion of the interior navigation of N.W. America, and the southern shores of California, passing each winter amongst the Sandwich islands.
On one occasion, the Chatham was sent from Atooi to Cook’s river, where she arrived after a passage of three weeks, during which short period the thermometer had fallen from 90 to 5 below zero. This rapid change caused all the crew to be afflicted with violent rheumatic complaints, and laid the foundation of those pains with which the subject of this memoir has long been tortured. Whilst exploring this river, the Chatham was hurried down a fall; the velocity of the current rendered it impossible to anchor, and her destruction appeared inevitable: but fortunately the channel, though narrow, was free from rocks, and on her reaching an immense basin of water, after being twirled round several times, she was brought up by her masts and yards becoming entangled among some trees; from which dilemma it required the greatest exertions of her officers and crew, during two days, to extricate her.
