The engraving illustrates a scene during Captain Phillip Carteret's voyage around the world, 1766-8, in company with the senior ship, 'Dolphin' commanded by Samuel Wallis. Carteret had already circumnavigated the world with John Byron in 1764-6 (Carteret only having a month ashore in Britain before setting sail in command of 'Swallow', which had also accompanied Byron). 'Swallow' was in an appalling condition after its first circumnavigation, and it was not improved by the voyage through the Straits of Magellan, during which the two ships lost contact. Wallis had the distinction of being the first European to 'discover' Tahiti, but the two ships never met up again. After a long voyage which 'Swallow' was not in a condition to survive, they finally reached Spithead on 20 May 1769, a full year after Wallis's 'Dolphin'.

The engraving shows Carteret and 'Swallow' at English Cove, on an island off New Britain (so named by William Dampier), where they dropped anchor on 27 August 1767 for fresh food and water. The island appeared to be uninhabited. In the background is 'Swallow', heeled over for repairs and careening. They left on 7 September after taking possession of the country and all the neighbouring islands for the king of Britain, George III. The illustration shows the board which was nailed to a tree and engraved with the name of the vessel and of the captain, the time of their entering and leaving the harbour, and the representation of the union flag.

Mounted with PAD5951.