The Tuamotu Islands and Tahiti
Volume 4 of Russia and the South Pacific, 1696-1840
The final volume in the quartet of books on the naval, scientific,and social activities of the Imperial Russian Navy in the SouthPacific, this book focuses on the expeditions to Tahiti and thedangerous atoll chains to its east, known as the Tuamotus. Under thecommand of Captains Otto von Kotzebue and F.Fellingshausen, expeditionmembers were the first to chart several of the Tuamotu islands. Theyalso theorized correctly about coral reef and atoll formation,botanized, and collected ethnographica in a systematic way.
Glynn Barratt has made full use of Russian primary materials indescribing the sites and individuals the visitors encountered.Contemporary aquarelles and drawings by the expeditionary artistsLudovik Choris and Pavel N. Mikhailov provide pictorial evidence. Theseare complemented by descriptions and photographs of many of theartifacts gathered by the Russian officers and now available toscholars in archives in St. Petersburg and Estonia.
In this book, as in the previous volumes in the series, Barrattdispels the myth that the Russians were landlubbers. He points out thathighly educated and perceptive Russian scientists and naval officersmade contact with aboriginal people in many parts of Oceania. Unliketheir counterparts from other European nations, the Russians never madeterritorial claims and they took pains not to provoke hostility in theislanders.
Barratt's approach is to provide a detailed historical summary of the voyages, astonishing for their scholarly detail and evident mastery of the overall picture of Pacific history, and then the transformation of the key journals of the voyages.
The Tuamotu Islands and Tahiti is thoroughly researched and well written. The Russians who sailed in the South Seas emerge as skilful sailors, accomplished scientists and very decent men. Their records convey an attitude towards indigenous peoples far more sympathetic than many of the Europeans. Professor Barratt's work makes their story accessible and entertaining for a wide audience.
The text, while full of detail for the specialist is eminently readable ... Barratt’s commentary and summary provide an essential framework and background for understanding the place of this expedition in the wider story of Pacific exploration ... This is an impressive contribution to the history of the South Pacific. Thanks to Barratt’s work of translation and his perspicuous style, that record is now available to the wider audience it deserves. The book is an essential addition to libraries in New Zealand.
Illustrations, Maps, and Tables
Preliminary Notes
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part One: The Tuamotu Archipelago
1. A Survey
2. The Russian Texts
3. Russian Science
Part Two: Tahiti
4. An Overview
5. The Russian Texts
6. Russian and Russo-German Science
Appendix
Notes
Bibliography
Indexes
