BAYLY, George, capitaine - Lot 11

BAYLY, George, capitaine Sea-Life Sixty Years Ago. A Record of Adventures which led up to the Discovery of the Relics of the long-missing Expedition commanded by the Comte de La Perouse. London, Kegan Paul, Trench & Co, 1885. Small in-89 (179 x 121 mm) of VIII (including the first blank), 224 pp. Half blue calf with corners, smooth spine decorated, spotted edges (period binding). Ferguson, 6818; O'Reilly, 866. First edition. George Bayle, member of a family of sailors, gives here the account of his turbulent life on the seas. Published on the occasion of the centenary of La Pérouse's expedition, the author recounts his involvement in the voyages that went in search of La Pérouse after his shipwreck. Indeed, Bayle was on board the St. Patrick under the command of Captain Dillon when the ship anchored at the island of Tucopia. "This was my hap to purchase the silver guard of La Perouse's own sword. This furnished a clue which was followed up until the search undertaken was crowned with success" (Ferguson). Divided into 15 chapters, the description of the discovery of the remains from La Perouse's voyage is found in chapter XI. A good copy from the Library of the Parliament of Canada (gilt iron on the back of the binding).