The attack of Captain Wallis in the Dolphin by the natives Otaheite

Captain Samuel Wallis (1728-1795) took command of the frigate Dolphin (back from John Byron's circumnavigation of the globe). Wallis' description of Tahiti (as published by John Hawkesworth in 1773 on behalf of the Admirality) helped, along with the accounts of James Cook and Joseph Banks, to stamp an 'exotic' imprint on Europe's image of the south seas. Wallis' achievements helped shape Cook's first Endeavour voyage. He recommended the island for the Transit of Venus observations and Cook arrived here in April 1769. Cook, like Wallis two years before him, anchored his ship in the shelter of Matavai Bay on the western side of the island. This engraving shows an attack by local Tahitians circa 1767.

Mounted in Album PAJ2143, with PAJ2145 - PAJ2206.

Object Details

ID: PAJ2145
Type: Print
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Rooker, Edward
Date made: 1760s
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Sheet: 203 x 302 mm
Parts: Plates of Cook's Voyages - Voyage 1 (Album)