Riviere Tamise et Baye Mercure a la Nle.…

Rare c.18th engraved map of New Zealand from the French edition of the accounts of Cook’s first voyage, published 1774 the year after the English edition 1773.

Titles in English versions was: River Thames and Mercury Bay, New Zealand. Bay of Islands in New Zealand. Tolaga Bay in New Zealand.

Three maps on the one sheet of the north-east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, River Thames, Mercury Bay, Tolaga Bay and the Bay of Islands, visited by Cook 22 October to 6 December 1769. Cook visited Tolaga Bay 22-30 October 1769 and replenished the ships water and fire wood. Sailing north, Cook found a large bay whose shores were lined with lush cultivated areas, and which he named Bay of Plenty. Anchoring on the west side of the Bay, Cook and an astronomer, Charles Green, who had accompanied the expedition, went ashore to observe the transit of Mercury across the Sun, and so Cook named the bay, Mercury Bay,  3 – 15 November 1769. Cook then entered Firth of Thames on 20 November, 1769 and explored the area until 25th. From Firth of Thames, Cook sailed to the Bay of Islands 30th November, 1769 and explored until 6 December. From there, the Endeavour continued its north-westerly course along the coast until a river was sighted and Cook went ashore in what is now Firth of Thames. River Thames and Mercury Bay.

From Hawkesworth, Relation des Voyages Entrepris par ordre de Sa Majeste Britannique Actuallement Regnante. Paris