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Rounding Koko
Head
King
George & Queen Charlotte off O'ahu, June 1, 1787
The King George under command of Captain
Nathaniel Portlock and her consort Queen Charlotte were sent
out from London to the Northwest coast to engage in the fur
trade, then transport the cargo to China and exchange it for
teas and silks.
The venture was a result of entries made
in the journals of Captain James Cook who observed that the
Mandarins would pay a very high price for sea otter skins.
Nathaniel Portlock had signed on the Discovery with Cook as
an ordinary seaman and was quickly promoted to Master's mate.
After Cook's death at Kealakekua, he transferred
to the Resolution as an aide to Lt. William Bligh. He served
later under Bligh commanding the consort vessel on Bligh's
second trip to procure breadfruit in the Pacific.
20.5 x 31 in. lithograph on canvas
- 100 edition (10 AP hand enhanced)
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