"[Eastern Sheet] A Chart of the Pacific Ocean from the Equinoctial to the Latitude of 39 1/2d. No.", Anson, George

This is the eastern sheet of an unusual chart detailing the route of Spanish galleons between the Philippines and Acapulco, extending west just shy of the Mariana Islands. The tracks of British Navy Commodore George Anson and Spanish Nostra Seigniora de Cabadonga are shown. Engraved by R. W. Seale. This chart appeared in Anson's account of his circumnavigation, compiled by Richard Walter and Benjamin Robbins, and first published in 1748.

In 1740 Anson set sail in command of a squadron sent to attack Spanish possessions and interests in South America. The expedition was ill-equipped and failed to carry out its original ambitious mission. By June 1741, when Anson reached Juan Fernandes, his force had been reduced to only three of the original six ships, while the strength of his crews had fallen from 961 to 335. After recuperating on the island, he collected the remaining survivors on his flagship, the Centurion, and set sail in search of one of the richly laden galleons that conducted the trade between Mexico and the Philippines. The indomitable perseverance he had shown during one of the most arduous voyages in the history of sea adventure gained the reward of the capture of an immensely rich prize, the Nuestra Senora de Cabadonga, which he encountered off Cape Espiritu Santo on June 20, 1743.

References: Mercator's World (Nov/Dec 1998) p. 47; Shirley (BL Atlases) G.ANS-1a #13.

Condition: B

A nice impression, issued folding on a lightly toned sheet with a Strasbourg bend and lily watermark. There is light foxing, a chip at bottom left, and a stain at far right with a small tear that has been closed on verso with tape.