A Voyage of Discovery, into the South Sea and Beering's Straits, for the Purpose of Exploring a North-East Passage

A three-volume translated account, published in 1821, of the pioneering Russian expedition that mapped the coast of Siberia and Alaska.

Otto von Kotzebue (1787–1846) was a leading navigator of his age, circumnavigating the globe three times. His 1815 expedition set out to find a passage through the Arctic, investigate the coastlines of Kamchatka and Alaska, and explore the Pacific. Published in 1821, this three-volume translated account was in Darwin's library aboard the Beagle.An admirer of Captain Cook, Otto von Kotzebue (1787–1846) was a leading navigator, in Russian service, circumnavigating the globe three times. His 1815 expedition set out to find a passage through the Arctic, study the coastlines of Kamchatka and Alaska, and explore the Pacific. Among the personnel were the naturalist Chamisso and the artist Choris, who both contributed valuable information to the published account, while Eschscholtz, a physician, collected zoological specimens. Originally published in 1821 in Russian and German, this English translation, presented with many plates and charts, appeared the same year and formed part of Darwin's library aboard the Beagle. Volume 3 continues with Chamisso's detailed observations as well as contributions by other members of the expedition. Flora and fauna are identified, mineral samples taken, and aerometric readings recorded along with the temperature of the sea.