This chart of the southern portion of South America is from the official account of George Anson’s triumphant voyage of circumnavigation 1740-44. Anson had been sent by the Admiralty to the South Pacific to aggravate the Spanish with who Britain was at war. It details the route he took around Cape Horn and highlights the deviations that occurred due to the weather and currents. It covers the region south of the Island of St. Catherine’s in Brazil, Valparaiso and Juan Fernandez Island on the west coast.

George Anson (1697-1762) was born in Staffordshire to a London barrister. He entered the navy in 1712 rising in the ranks to Captain by 1723. At the outbreak of the war with Spain, Anson was given command of a squadron ordered to attack possessions in South America. Seven vessels left Portsmouth under the flagship ‘Centurion’ in September 1740. They arrived at Santa Catarina in southern Brazil in December where they refitted. They were separated after leaving but managed to find each other again before entering Le Maire Strait in March 1741. Passing by Chiloe, Chile, only four of the vessels made it to Juan Fernandez Island. With only 335 of the original 961 crew left, the ‘Anna’ had to be destroyed. Many of the crew were dying of scurvy at this point and notes taken on who recovered and what they had been eating were noted for future voyages.

Perseverance was rewarded with the capture of a very rich prize in the Philippines and the voyage was deemed a success on his return in 1744. Anson was duly knighted. The official account of the voyage was published in 1748 and enjoyed popular success. It is remembered as ‘a classic tale of endurance and leadership in the face of fearful disasters, but to the British public of 1744 it was the treasure of the galleon, triumphantly paraded through the streets of London, which did something to restore national self-esteem battered by an unsuccessful war.’ (ODNB). Sabin (1868-1936) 1625; Shirley (2004) G.Ans 2a no. 2; Wallis (1992).