Beechey, F.W.:
Narrative of a Voyage to the Pacific and Berring's Strait, To Cooperate with the Polar Expeditions: Performed in His Majesty's Ship Blossom, under the Command of Captain F.W. Beechey, F.W., ..... in the Years 1825, 26, 27, 28, London, Colburn and Bentley & Amsterdan, 1831, two volumes. Volume I: 392 pages, 14 plates (engraved), 3 maps (2 folding), 1 fold-out copper engraved map. Volume II: 359 pages, 10 (engraved) plates (6 of which are fold-out), 1 fold-out copper engraved map. Sometimes found bound in one volume. The pages run 1-392 and 393-742. Blue and white cloth cover. Beechey was attempting to discover a North-West passage. After explorations in Arctic and Alaskan regions, he sailed to the Pacific and discovered several Pacific Islands, visited Tahiti and the Pitcairn Islands and cruised along the Chinese coast. The Narrative contains an extensive account of the expedition's visit to Okinawa. This is in Chapter V and it spans pages approximately 90 pages. The expedition remained in Okinawa, "Loo Choo," from May 11 to May 25, 1827. The stay on Okinawa provides interesting commentary on the people and how they lived. The narrative also provides an important accounts of Monterey and San Francisco before the American conquest.