Summary of a letter received by Sir Philip Stephens from William Bligh, written on 25 December 1792 (Series 50.35) - No. 0001

[Page 1]

Feb 25 1793

Abridged from the Admiralty Letter [by Wm Bligh]

[This possibly written by Joseph Banks]

1792
Dec 25 Letter Dated
April 8 arrived at Otaheite
--- 17 arrived at St Helena

July 19  Left Otaheite with 12081 Vessels containing plants

25 Passd [ Whyteotacke?]

Aug 3 Determined the [Maijorga?] Isles seen by Mouselle to be a new discovery & that the Isles he lays down to the South by names of St Christobel and Grand Montagne are Tofoa [Tofua] and Caow[Kao].

5 Revisited the easternmost of his own discoveries & went through a number of fine islands extending 90 leagues from east to west and 55 from north to south.

11 Quitted them without having anchored

19, 20 Went through his discoveries north of the New Hebrides & quitted them without having anchored

30 Made Louisiade & entering the reefs of New Guinea in Lat 9:30, Long: 145.02 & running through imminent dangers amongst shoals and treacherous people anchors broke cables rubed to pieces one man killed & 2 wounded

Septr 20 Entered into a clear sea by the northernmost of the high islands he had seen in the [indecipherable]
Found the true situation of which is 10:12 S 142:14 E

Oct 2 Arrived at Coupang and procurd 92 Pots of the fruits of that countrey
​​​​​​​
10 saild

Dec 17 arrived at St Helena with 840 fine breadfruit