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A Visit to the Indian Archipelago, in HM Ship MAEANDER Volume 1
A Visit to the Indian Archipelago, in HM Ship MAEANDER Volume 1

A Visit to the Indian Archipelago, in HM Ship MAEANDER Volume 1

Author (1809 - 1904)
Publisher
Illustrator (English - Australian, 1817 - 1894)
Date1853
Object number00002668
NameBook
MediumPaper, cloth covered boards, gilt, ink
DimensionsOverall: 263 x 171 x 32 mm
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis book, titled 'A Visit to the Indian Archipelago, in HM Ship MAEANDER: with portions of the private journal of Sir James Brooke KCB' Volume I, was written by Sir Henry Keppel and published in London in 1853. The 301-page book contains chapters on HMS MAEANDER's visit to the Indonesian Archipelago, the Philippines, Malaysia and piracy in the South China Sea. Opposite the title page there is a tinted lithograph of HMS MAEANDER by G Hawkins from a drawing by Oswald W Brierly. The backboard endpaper has a pocket which holds a large folding chart engraved by J & C Walker titled 'Chart of the Indian Archipelago shewing the track of HM Ship MAEANDER'.HistorySir Henry Keppel was born on 14 June 1809 and attended the Royal Navy Academy, rising from Lieutenant to Commander and finally to the rank of Captain by 1837. Keppel developed a fine reputation for his role as Captain of a ship of the Royal Navy during the Carlist War in Spain. He went on to serve in China to suppress the Malay pirates in 1841 and in 1847 repeated this role when he commanded HMS MAEANDER, a Seringapatam class sailing frigate. During the Crimean War, Keppel was in command of HMS ST JEAN D'ACRE and later HMS RODNEY. After the war, Keppel was sent to China again and he commanded HMS RALEIGH, which hit an uncharted rock near Hong Kong. Despite this, he and his crew sailed in three small vessels in pursuit of Chinese pirates, which culminated in the Battle of Fatshan Creek on 1 June 1857. Keppel and his crew destroyed the Chinese fleet before capturing the city of Canton. Keppel was pardoned for his loss of HMS RALEIGH and took command of HMS ALLIGATOR until his promotion to Rear Admiral. He retired in 1879 having achieved the rank of Admiral of the Fleet. Keppel died on 17 January 1904.SignificanceThe MAEANDER under Keppel’s command visited Port Essington, Cape York, New Guinea and neighbouring island groups, Sydney, Hobart, Norfolk Island etc.

Whilst in Sydney the MAEANDER was dry docked at Cockatoo Island, during which time Keppel visited the interior with Sir Charles Fitzroy.