Narrative of the Euphrates Expedition Carried on by Order of the British Government During the Years, 1835, 1836 and 1837.
London. Longmans, Green. 1868. Stock ID #163348 After Chesney had visited the region in the period 1829 - 30 he became convinced that a faster route to India from Britain could be achieved by steam via the navigable section of the Euphrates. This issue was very dear to the heart of the British government and the East India Company both of whom had been seeking a faster route to India. After some serious lobbying by Chesney and Thomas Love Peacock, Chesney was granted 20,000 Pounds by the House of Commons. With this grant he formed an expedition consisting of thirteen naval and army officers and a small number of seamen, artillerymen, engineers, sappers, and miners. He then sailed from London to the Bay of Antioch to prove his hypothesis that the Euphrates was navigable from the point nearest to the bay down to its mouth. His arduous and dangerous journey involved dealing with unhappy local powers and adverse conditions which led to the deaths of eight of his men. A fascinating narrative well illustrated with full page plates. When referring to this item please quote stockid 163348.
Full page hand coloured map, lacks folding map in rear pocket, 40 full page lithographs 4 folding, xviii + 564pp, recased, new endpapers, backstrip laid down, neat ownership details half title. Some occasional largely light foxing, some leaves stained at lower margin but generally very good.
Price: $3,000.00 AU