Voyages to Hudson Bay in search of a Northwest Passage

The Hakluyt Society, second series n° 177 + n° 181, illustrated, with bibliography and index, hardcover with jacket, jacket has some wear, excellent condition

vol I: The Voyage of Christopher Middleton, 1741-1742

vol II: The Voyage of William Moor and Francis Smith, 1746-1747

The 18th century saw a resurgence of hope that a Northwest Passage - that elusive target of European seamen over the centuries - might yet be found. Prompted by the Irish MP Arthur Dobbs, the Admiralty sent the Furnace and Discovery to Hudson Bay in 1741 in search of a navigable passage to the Pacific.