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LYON, George Francis.
A Brief Narrative Of An Unsuccessful Attempt To Reach Repulse Bay,
Through Sir Thomas Rowe's "Welcome," In His Majesty's Ship Griper, In The Year MDCCCXXIV.
First edition. "[A]ttempt on the Northwest Passage, this one through Hudson Bay. Captain Lyon gives interesting accounts of the Eskimos of the Southampton Islands… also contained herein are an appendix concerning magnetic anomalies in the polar regions, an 'Abstract' of each day's work, and a botanical appendix by Professor J.D. Hooker" (Hill). Lyon had made something of a name for himself accompanying Joseph Ritchie's ill-starred attempt to reach central Africa from north. Lyon replaced Captain Marryat who was supposed to serve on the expedition, and did so self-confessedly "purely from a wish to rise in his profession" (ODNB). Ritchie having died on the trip, Lyon organized publication of their findings on his return to London in 1820. He then accompanied Parry's attempt on the northwest passage on the Hecla in 1823, publishing his Private Journal… the following year. Promoted captain: "In January 1824 he was appointed to the Griper, which had been on Parry's first voyage of 1819. Lyon's instructions were to reach Repulse Bay by whatever route he judged best, and from it to examine the coast of the mainland westward to the point where John Franklin's voyage had ended its survey. He sailed on 6 June, but the season proved unfavourable, and he returned to England in November." The route that he chose, "for reasons that never became clear" (Howgego), took them south of Southampton Island, approaching Repulse Bay through Roes Welcome Sound, and required "navigating a labyrinth of treacherous shoals." Foul weather and high winds forced Lyon to return, incurring the wrath of Sir John Barrow at the Admiralty, as a result of which he was never offered another commission.
Octavo ( 216 × 132 mm) Contemporary half calf on marbled boards, title gilt direct to spine, flat bands tolled with rules and drawer-handles, single rules at the edges of spine and corners, edges mottled red. Folding chart frontispiece and 7 engraved plates, 2 illustrations to the text. Contemporary ownership inscription of J. Blackman to the title page, small inked pressmark label to the front pastedown. A little rubbed at the extremities, light toning, some spotting to the plates as often, a little offsetting from the frontispiece, but overall very good.
