Beschreibung:

Forrest, Thomas A VOYAGE TO NEW GUINEA, AND THE MOLUCCAS FROM BALAMBANGAN: INCLUDING AN ACCOUNT OF MAGINDANO, SOOLOO AND OTHER ISLANDS. LONDON: G. SCOTT, 1779 FIRST EDITION, 4to (282 x 225mm.), xxiv, 388, 14, [2] pp., engraved portrait, 32 plates, maps and plans, some folding, directions to the binder at end, contemporary speckled half calf over marbled boards, red label, marbled boards “In 1770 Forrest was engaged in forming the new settlement at Balambangan, which had been recommended by Alexander Dalrymple [see lot 357], and in 1774, when the council, in accordance with their instructions and with a view to developing new sources of trade, wanted to send an exploring party in the direction of New Guinea, Forrest offered his services, which were readily accepted. He sailed on 9 December in the Tartar, a native boat of about 10 tons burden, with two English officers and a crew of eighteen Malays. In this, accompanied part of the time by two small boats, he pushed his explorations as far as Geelvink Bay in New Guinea, examining the Sulu archipelago, the south coast of Mindanao, Mandiolo, Batchian, and especially Waygiou, which he was the first to chart with any degree of accuracy, and returned to Achin in March 1776… The tact which Forrest had shown towards the local inhabitants and the amount of work done in a small boat in a poor state of repair deservedly won him credit” (ODNB).