George Tobin journal and sketches on HMS Providence, 1791-1793, with additional material to 1831

fonds

1791-1831

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Watercolours

447122

Photocopy : a xerox copy of the original Tobin journal at A 562. See also online digitised version scanned from microfilm (click on 'Go to attached record series').
Microfilm : A 562).
Microfilm : PXA 563). See also online digital version (106 images).

George Tobin (1768-1838) was third lieutenant on HMS Providence on Captain William Bligh's second voyage to obtain breadfruit plants from Tahiti and take them to Jamaica. Accompanied by the tender 'Assistant', the ship left England in August 1791, proceeding to Tahiti via Port Praya, Teneriffe, the Cape of Good Hope and Tasmania. The return trip was by way of Aitutaki, Tonga, Fiji, Torres Strait, Timor, St Helena, St Vincent and Jamaica. Tobin became an artist on the voyage when the official artist was too ill to join the ship. Throughout the voyage he sketched views and natural history specimens, notably birds and fish, in most of the places visited. When the ship called at Adventure Bay, Tasmania, Tobin made the first drawing by a European of an echidna.

Series 01: George Tobin - Journal on HMS Providence 1791-1793, written in 1797, with additions to 1831
A 562 (Safe 1/406)

Series 02: Sketches on H.M.S. Providence; including some sketches from later voyages on Thetis and Princess Charlotte, 1791-1811 / by George Tobin
SAFE/PXA 563

This collection comprises two volumes of manuscript and pictorial material. You may navigate to a more detailed description from this collection record.