Christmas Island latitude 1° 58′ N. longitude 202° 28′ E. discovered in the ships Resolution and Discovery 1777, variation 6° 0′ E

Rare, c.18th engraved map of present day Kirritimati discovered by Captain James Cook on 24th December 1777, naming it Christmas Island. He stayed catching turtles and until 2 January 1778.

‘On the 24th, about hanld an hour after day break, land was discovered bearing North East by East, half East. Upon a nearer approach, it was found to be one of those low islands so common in this ocean; that is a narrow bank of land inclosing the sea within. A few cocoa-nut trees were seen in two or three places, but in the general the land had a very barren appearance.’

From: Cook & King, A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean, for making Discoveries in the Northern Hemisphere. Performed under the Direction of Captains Cook, Clerke, and Gore, in His Majesty’s Ships the Resolution and Discovery; in the Years 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, and 1780.

References:
Beddie, M. Bibliography of Captain James Cook, RN,FRS, Circumnavigator. Sydney 1970 1543 & 1743-6, p.339.
Joppien,R. & Smith, B. The Art of Captain Cook’s Voyages; Vol. I, II & III. Melbourne 1985-1987 3.10A, ill.p.272.
Forbes, D. Hawaiian National Bibliography 1780- 1830. Honolulu /Sydney, 1999/2003 62; cf.
Carter, J. & Muir, P. Printing and the Mind of Man London 1983 223.
Sabin, J. A Dictionary of Books Relating to America, from its Discovery to the Present Time. New York. (1936) 1967. 16250.
Hill, J. The Hill Collection of Pacific Voyages. San Diego 1974 321.

Collections:
State Library New South Wales: CALL NUMBERS RB/F990A/9
State Library Victoria: RARELT 910.41 C773VS
State Library South Australia: Special Collection: 919 C771