Carte des Isles des Amis.

Rare engraving from the French edition of Cook’s voyages. Chart of the Friendly Islands (Tongan group). Cook had previously visited the islands on his second voyage 2 – 8 October 1773 and then again 26 – 29 June 1774, after which the ships became separated and were never to meet again.

After leaving Raiatea (Society Islands) on 18 September 1773, Cook directed his course towards Amsterdam Island (Tongatapu), discovered by Tasman in 1643, intending to verify Tasman’s charting against his own charts. The ships stayed for three days, thoroughly enjoying the reception they had received and called the group the Friendly Islands. On his second visit he headed for the Nomuka, the largest island of the south central group of Tonga.

On his third voyage Cook had visited Hapaee (Lifuka), one of the islands of the Ha’apai group of Tonga. Cook had arrived on the island 17 July 1777 and stayed until the 29th. He then headed had left Lifuka on 29 May 1777 and steered to the largest island of the Tongan group, Amsterdam or Tongatapu, and anchored by 10 June.