The English geographer and hydrographer Alexander George Findlay (1812-75) had observed that navigators of his time had to consult a considerable number of documents to gather the information they needed to sail the Pacific Ocean safely. Not only was this highly impractical, it also exposed seafarers to conflicting information that could lead to their demise. First published in 1851, this two-volume nautical directory, compiled by Findlay from reputable sources, provided seamen with a single comprehensive and authoritative reference work. This second volume focuses on navigating the islands and archipelagos of the Pacific and also contains detailed information on the winds, currents, tides and other physical phenomena of the Pacific, as well as general sailing directions. An invaluable resource for navigators of the nineteenth century, this work remains of great interest to geographers and scholars of nautical history.
