Illustrated by Maps and Facsimiles.

LONDON
ELLIOT STOCK, 62 PATERNOSTER ROW
1893

43931

DEDICATED BY PERMISSION

TO

ADMIRAL H.R.H. THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH,

K.G., ETC.,

WHOSE DEEP INTEREST IN ALL MATTERS CONNECTED WITH
THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF THE BRITISH NAVY
IS WELL KNOWN TO ALL WHO HAVE HAD
THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING WITH HIM.


PREFACE.

STRANGE it must appear that the account of perhaps the most celebrated
and, certainly to the English nation, the most momentous voyage of
discovery that has ever taken place--for it practically gave birth to the
great Australasian Colonies--has never before been given to the world in
the very words of its great leader. It has fallen out in this wise.