First Published in 1966.This volume adds to maritime history with information on trade in the Eastern Seas from 1793 to 1813. It is a description of conditions not a narrative of events.

Appendices incl. observations on Australia and on Aborigines; p.436; About 1000 Bugis from Macassar collect trapang in northern Australia annually; p.442-446; Settlements at Melville Island, 1824 and Raffles Bay, 1827 - subsequent abondonment, clashes with Aborigines; Desirability of northern settlement; reasons against making Port Essington a penal establishment; p.454-456; Views of the Aborigines of the Wellington Valley, N.S.W., about the inland sea quoted from Dr. Henderson and W.H. Breton; similar views of Swan River Aborigines, information from Mr. Moore.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1875.

Reproduction of the original: In the Eastern Seas by W.H.G Kingston

'In Stockwin's hands the sea story will continue to entrance readers across the world' - Guardian With Bonaparte held to a stalemate in Europe, the race to empire is now resumed. Britain's ambitions turn to the Spice Islands, the Dutch East Indies, where Admiral Pellew has been sent to confront the enemy's vastly rich holdings in these tropical islands. Captain Sir Thomas Kydd joins reinforcements to snatch these for the British Crown. The two colonial masters of India and the East Indies face each other in mortal striving for the region - there can be only one victor to hold all the spoils. The colonial genius, Stamford Raffles, believes Britain should strike at the very centre of Dutch spice production, the Moluccas, rather than the fortresses one by one but is fiercely opposed. Kydd, allying himself to this cause, conspires to lead a tiny force to a triumphant conclusion - however the Dutch, stung by this loss, claim vengeance from the French. A battle for Java and an empire in the East stretches Kydd and Tyger's company to their very limits. ************* Praise for Julian Stockwin's Kydd series 'Paints a vivid picture of life aboard the mighty ship-of-the-line' Daily Express 'This heady adventure blends fact and fiction in rich, authoritative detail' Nautical Magazine 'Fans of fast-paced adventure will get their fill with this book' Historical Naval Society

ÒWell, Thudicumb, I hope by noon we may at last get a glimpse of the sun,Ó said Captain Davenport to his first officer, as they walked the deck of the Bussorah Merchant, homeward bound from the East Indies, and at that time rolling on over the long heaving seas of the Atlantic. The sky was overcast, but ever and anon a gleam of light burst forth amid the clouds, playing on the foaming crest of a wave. It was blowing hard, but had evidently been blowing much harder, of which fact the condition of the Indiaman gave evidence. A portion of the starboard bulwarks were stove in, one of her quarter boats was shattered, and other slight damages were visible. ÒWe must be ready for him, sir, at all events,Ó said the first officer, looking at his watch. ÒIt is not far off noon now.Ó ÒTell Oliver to bring me my sextant,Ó said the captain, as the mate descended from the poop into his cabin. Mr Thudicumb soon returned, bringing his own instrument, and followed by a boy with the captainÕs. Continuing their walk, they looked anxiously every now and then at the spot in the heavens where they expected the sun to appear. They were accompanied by one who seemed to take as much interest as they did in what was going forward. When they turned, he turned; when they looked up at the sky, he looked up also; balancing himself when the ship rolled as they did, by leaning over to the opposite direction to which she was heeling. He, however, could not have afforded them any assistance in their observation, for though his eye and the expression of his countenance exhibited much sagacity, he was of the canine speciesÑa large dogÑa magnificent-looking fellow, who could, the crew declared, for he was a great favourite with them, do everything but talkÑand, they might have added, take a meridional observation, or a lunar.