The King George and Queen Charlotte were the first ships to visit Hawaii following Captain James Cook’s visit in the 1778-79. It was some seven years since Cook that the King George and Queen Charlotte arrived at Kealakekua Bay on Kauai. After working their way through the islands, bartering for food and water, they laid a course for Cook’s River, Alaska so as to begin their trade for furs on the North West Coast. They tried Prince William Sound next, but fog and foul weather prevented them from entering the sound and with the season well advanced they set sail for the Hawaiian Islands where they planned to winter amidst the bounty of the islands. After visiting Kawahae Bay on the island of Hawaii, they sailed for Maunaloa Bay on Oahu so as to further replenish their supplies and water. On December 20, 1786 the ships weighed anchor and set a course for Waimea Bay on the south shore of Kauai. Here they remained for the next month trading for supplies and establishing good relations with the Hawaiians.
On the February 17th after a brief visit to Niihau for yams, they were driven to sea once more by threatening weather. When the weather cleared the next morning, they found themselves to the NW of Kauai. With the wind now coming from the south, Captain Portlock took this opportunity to sail along the unexplored north coast of Kauai. These are some of the most spectacular sea cliffs in the world. The print shows the two ships off the Honopu Valley.
The Queen Charlotte after standing into shore, has borne away, while the King George still stands inshore. Captain Portlock was very interested in seeing this side of the island as he hoped to find a harbor where they could find sanctuary against the unrelenting swells where they could repair their vessels. At this time there was no protected harbor in the Hawaiian Islands. The ships were forced to anchor in open bays and put out to sea if the weather threatened. They sailed the length of the Napali Coast but found no promising harbor; they continued eastward, passing Hanalei Bay until eventually sailing around the island to return once more to Waimea Bay. The King George and Queen Charlotte sailed for the North West Coast for another season of trading. Both ships visited Hawaii once more before sailing for China and eventually home to England.

Signed and Numbered Edition of 110 lithographs on canvas.

Image Size: 33" X 22"; unf...$1500.00