The survey vessel H.M.S. Sulphur, under Captain F.W. Beechey (1796-1856), accompanied by her consort the Starling, under Lieutenant-Commander Henry Kellett (1806-1875), left England in December 1835, assigned to the Pacific Ocean. The time for great discoveries was past, but there remained the important task of delineating the thousands of miles of coastline and countless islands, reefs and shoals throughout the seven seas, for the safety of navigation and the advancement of science. Reproduced in this volume, with a scholarly introduction, are Belcher's account of Prince William Sound, Sitka, Nootka Sound, California, and Fort Vancouver. Simpkinson contributes accounts of the Northwest Coast and California.