history 75 AW Beasley AW by John Seton. John by doi:10.4997/JRCPE.2012.118 That character’s ordeal, ordeal, character’s That 2 [email protected]

2012; 42:75–80 2012; Edinb Physicians Coll J R secundus +64 4 384 5414 4 384 +64 Correspondence to Correspondence Bay, Oriental Hay Street, 37 Zealand New 6011, Wellington tel. e-mail © 2012 Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh of Physicians of College Royal © 2012 Alexander Monro Monro Alexander , after attending his classes at Edinburgh University. University. Edinburgh at his classes attending after , William Anderson became friendly with his master, Monro Monro with his master, friendly became Anderson William secundus (RCSEd Collection) Figure 1 Figure Anderson’s handwriting. The collection is known to have to have The collection is known handwriting. Anderson’s what has secundus; Alexander Monro by been presented to confirm is the identity of the bird impossible proved as as well done these, have possibly Anderson may painter. inor series, the in nothing is there but map, the annotating to confirm this attribution. journals, own Anderson’s but qualified Edinburgh, from not graduate did Anderson the he passed where at Surgeons’ Hall in London if his wonder to has One 1770. and 1768 in examinations Scots ancestry examiners’ gibes as the same prompted Random. Roderick by endured as chronicled by another Scot, Tobias Smollett, saw him saw Smollett, Tobias another Scot, by chronicled as heart’quaking ‘with a Hall. Surgeons’ at himself present No conflict of interests declared. interests conflict of No

1 UNG MAN YO This paper traces the career of William Anderson, naval surgeon and surgeon naval Anderson, William of traces the career This paper track from Cook’s second voyage is annotated in second voyage Cook’s track from s Mr Anderson my Surgeon who had been lingering my Anderson Mr Months, than twelve more under a consumption for He was a 3 and 4 this after noon. between expired well companion, agreeable an Man, Young Sensible much acquired had and skilld in his profession, God it pleas’d that had in other Sciences, knowlidge useful in the been might have his life spar’d have to Voyage. the of Course AW Beasley AW New Zealand Surgeon, Wellington, Retired Orthopaedic Paper When William Anderson, surgeon of HM sloop Resolution, surgeon of HM Anderson, William When Britain lost in the Bering Sea, high 1778, August died on 3 greater even and distinction some of scientist natural a subordinate his of wrote Cook James Captain promise. friend: and Promise cut short: the career of the career short: cut Promise Anderson William A SENSIBLE of Robert son the second was a Scot, Anderson North Berwick schoolmaster, a respected Anderson, 1766 and Between was born on 28 December 1750. and where at Edinburgh University, classes 1769 he attended (Figure secundus Alexander Monro of he sat at the feet of member distinguished most arguably and middle the 1), who held the chair of generations of namesakes the three of the eighteenth and nineteenth much through anatomy dominated primus Alexander father His centuries. but secundus is teaching in his generation, anatomy could (Tertius excelled him. to have many by considered after and his son David, standard not maintain the family migrated to New Edinburgh, graduating in medicine from something he and his successors regained Zealand where that tertiusof the reputation had lost.) in the National Museum of is tantalising evidence There Anderson between Scotland of the friendship that developed houses a collection of bird the museum and his mentor: theof map a series the of end the at and 2) (Figure paintings Resolution’ Cook’s estimate, though stilted for a eulogy, is worth a eulogy, stilted for though estimate, Cook’s this of appreciation own our of basis the as studying man. young ABSTRACT and voyages, on the second and final ship Resolution who served in Cook’s naturalist, Arctic. high in the died of tuberculosis Pacific exploration, James Cook, medicine, naval Anderson, William rds Keywo natural history ion of Interests Declarat AW Beasley

Anderson for his part served briefly on the HMS Barfleur, but was posted to Resolution as surgeon’s mate on 3 December 1771, joining the ship on 12 December. COOK’S SECOND VOYAGE

The Resolution had begun her career as a Whitby collier, and had been bought into the Navy in the light of Cook’s experience on the Endeavour voyage, which had taught him two things: that these craft, flat-bottomed and capacious, were ideal for exploration into unknown places and that a two-ship expedition could expect to cope better with sudden misfortune, such as Endeavour had experienced on the Great Barrier Reef in 1770, with near- fatal results.

Accordingly, the Navy bought in two fairly new colliers which, after several rapid changes of name became Resolution and Adventure. Cook’s findings on the original voyage had gone far towards demolishing the fiction of ‘the Great Southern continent’, but there was still enough of the South Pacific unexplored to have suggested to him how a repeat voyage might be structured so as Figure 2 The collection of bird paintings given by Monro to put the issue beyond all doubt. Joseph Banks, who had to the Royal Scottish Museum is believed to have originated travelled as ‘scientific adviser’ in Endeavour, and achieved with Anderson. This is the New Zealand tui or parson bird; celebrity on his return, took it upon himself to function the identity of the artist is unknown. (Author’s collection) as ‘chief executive’ for the next voyage. He began by demanding the building of an extra deck on Resolution to I was conducted into a large hall, where I saw about accommodate his suite of fourteen persons, including a dozen of grim faces, sitting at a long table, one of two horn players to entertain him in the evenings (and, whom bade me come forward… The first question as later emerged, a young woman who was to join the he put to me was, “where was you born?” To which ship at Madeira as Banks’s secretary, doubtless to I answered, “in Scotland.”… and when I informed him provide more intimate entertainment). Banks was that I had served three years only, he fell into a influential enough to have his structural wishes gratified violent passion, swore it was a shame and a scandal but this extra tophamper made Resolution so unstable to send such raw boys into the world as surgeons; that it had to be removed before she could be deemed that it was a great presumption in me, and an affront seaworthy. Banks thereupon withdrew from all involve- upon the English, to pretend to sufficient skill in my ment with the expedition. business, having served so short a time, when every apprentice in England was bound seven years at In his place the Forsters were engaged: Johann Reinhold least… This exordium… reduced me to such a and his son George. The father was an erudite sociopath situation that I was scarce able to stand; which being and young George able, but under his father’s thumb. They perceived by a plump gentleman who sat opposite to would be part of the burden that Anderson had to bear me, with a skull before him, he said, Mr Snarler was as he matured into the expedition’s most valuable, though too severe upon the young man; and… examined me informal, ethnographer and natural scientist. He was touching the operation of the trepan, and was very helped by the fact that James Patten, Resolution’s surgeon well satisfied with my answers.2 and the son of an Irish parson, was diplomatic enough to establish a measure of friendship with the Forsters, thus Random was rescued by a debate between two of his shielding Anderson from most of their spite. examiners on the possibility of survival after a wound of the intestines, and… ‘MUCH KNOWLIDGE IN OTHER SCIENCES’ In less than a quarter of an hour I was called in again, Most of their spite, but not all. At Balabio, off the received my qualification sealed up, and was ordered northern tip of New Caledonia, Anderson made a to pay five shillings.2 collection of shells during a shore excursion. It was of a history standard to excite the Forsters’ envy. When they Thus qualified, he was posted to HMS Thunder. published an unauthorised account of the voyage, issued in George’s name to get round the problem of authorisation

76 J R Coll Physicians Edinb 2012; 42:75–80 © 2012 RCPE history 77 Had he Had 6 . On his return Solander was On his return . AGE OY when she anchored in the Thames on Thames in the anchored when she Promise cut short: the career of William Anderson William of career the short: cut Promise Resolution seen Anderson, he might well have sought to recruit him, him, to recruit sought have he might well Anderson, seen as Anderson chose Cook As it was, life. his saved so and voyage. the third for surgeon The second voyage was flawless in conception, and in conception, flawless was voyage second The the third By contrast, successful in its execution. highly existence of (the presumed a hypothesis test out to set Atlantic and Pacific the channel between navigable a American cont- the top of the North around Oceans, of mixture a on founded was hypothesis the and inent), two do this: was riddle The fallacy. and myth riddle, between signify continuity water of bodies converging since been asked them? It was a question that had then and Europeans by first discovered America was a barrier the Iberian nations to create by monopolised the of riches the fabled and Europe of rest the between Anian’ which was ‘strait of the was The myth East. America: the width of North to extend across supposed a Spanish use of it; was told to make Sir Francis Drake to reported was Bartholomewnamed admiral de Fonte had person such no that proof even it – and used have fallacy The servenot did existed myth. the dispel to ever ice must sea so and freeze, not does that seawater was and be seasonal, therefore must of rivers, be the product implicationpassable. by thus the celebrity after a as of being treated In the course of Fellowship with the King, – audiences voyage second – medal its Copley of the award Society and the Royal test to person the just was he that persuaded was Cook The adulation left him little time to the hypothesis. of Resolution and, refit a shoddy what became oversee Cook, expedition was put together, when this third of 3) after almost a decade man (Figure a tired already was waters, in unexplored voyaging sea continuous the to little resemblance with a ship that bore provided earlier. years trim craft of four COOK’S THIRD V from the voyage came to the notice of Daniel Solander to the notice of came the voyage from who went the first voyage) from fellow-scientist (Banks’s aboard but he did not see 1775; August on 13 her return, had because, This is to be regretted himself. Anderson enticed have might well Solander men met then, the two where on to the staff of the British Museum Anderson influence. some of position a he himself occupied huff. in a voyage the second from withdrawn had Banks Solander, and Iceland, to himself he went console To experience he Out of this accompanied him. loyal, always Islandica compiled a Flora Historythe Natural of Department of Keeper appointed the to elected was in 1774 he and Museum British the had he as Cook to As loyal Society. the Royal council of meet Resolution and to hastened he Banks, been to to Banks. wellbeing health and report on Cook’s 3 The Tahitian The Tahitian vocabulary 5 2012; 42:75–80 2012; James Cook by William Hodges. When Hodges, Hodges, When William Hodges. by Cook James the benefits could have been so much greater greater been so much the benefits could have 4 One of the surgeon’s mates, who went on this on went who mates, One of the surgeon’s and of new variety collected a prodigious excursion, and curious shells upon the island of Ballabeea, of plants, species of new met with many likewise single specimen in the not see a did which we most and meanest the but visited; had we districts him to conceal these taught envy unreasonable incapable utterly he was though us, from discoveries science.the benefit of of them for use making of Figure 3 Figure the explorer painted voyage, second the artistCook’s on man. tired depicting a he was that it is evident afterwards, (CourtesyGreenwich) Maritime Museum the National of © 2012 RCPE J R Coll Physicians Edinb Coll Physicians J R (28 pages) was later published as an appendix to Canon(28 pages) was later published as an appendix account of the voyage. of Cook’s edition Douglas’s not survived, has this voyage journal for own Anderson’s because he later one, kept to have although he is known His natural history collection to items in it. referred Thus, although Lysaght has written that Anderson Anderson has written that although Lysaght Thus, with the working from benefited considerably ‘probably Forsters’ but essentially the father’s opinions, they referred they bitterly opinions, the father’s but essentially to the collector and his collection: had these official naturalists been less paranoid. been less these official naturalists had the islands the indigenous languages of for ear Anderson’s able to was such that he was visited on this voyage the the Marquesas, Easter Island, for compile vocabularies New Tanna, Mallicolo (Malekula), Islands (Tonga), Friendly Tahiti. Zealand and New Caledonia, AW Beasley

William Anderson had meanwhile managed a brief without reserve or jealousy of strangers’.9 The New posting to the frigate Milford at the end of 1775, and had Zealand Maori, by contrast, he considered ‘to be of a become infected with tuberculosis. The well-regarded suspicious or mistrustful temper’10 and ‘in trading exult surgeon who joined Resolution on 15 February 1776 was if they think they have trick’d you in the bargain’.11 Yet he already a doomed man. was full of admiration for their skills:

So was Charles Clerke, who took command of Their master piece seems to be carving, which is found Resolution’s consort. Adventure being unavailable for this in the most triffling things, and in particular the heads of voyage, the Navy had bought in yet another Whitby their canoes are sometimes done in such a manner that collier, naming her Discovery; at just under 300 tons, she not only shows much design but is also an example of was the smallest of all the ships associated with Cook’s their great labour and patience in execution.8 voyages. Clerke had been rash enough to stand guarantor for the debts of his brother Sir John Clerke and had spent Approaching ‘Savage island discovered by Captn Cook in a period in the King’s Bench prison as a result. This time 1774’ (Niue) he reflected on the effect of the weather had sown the seeds of his own demise for he too brought on the health of his charges: tuberculosis with him to the expedition. The heat which has been great for this month past ‘WELL SKILLD IN HIS PROFESSION’ becomes more disagreeable in the close rainy weather… It is however remarkable enough that Resolution was first away and waited for Discovery at though the only refreshment we have had since leaving Cape Town. That part of the voyage had been enough to the Cape of good hope was that at new Zeeland there demonstrate the poor condition of Resolution, for within is not yet a single person sick from the constant use three days of sailing she had developed leaks forward into of salt food or vicissitude of climate.12 the sail room and store rooms and aft into the officers’ cabins. Anderson’s cabin was one of the worst affected, At Tonga, while Cook speculated on the interrelationships although he made no mention of it at that time, being of the royal families and the culture and customs of the preoccupied with a number of scientific observations: he people, Anderson provided a counterpoint by describing recorded latitude by dead reckoning and observation, the geography of the country and the health of its longitude by lunars and the watch, magnetic variation, people. He identified club foot, which is a condition temperature readings throughout the day, the barometer prevalent throughout Polynesia: reading and the effect of the ship’s movement upon it, and a comparison of sea and air temperature. His There are… very few natural defects or deformitys curiosity was wide-ranging, so that he speculated on to be found amongst them [but] they are… not wind patterns and their effect on the ship’s performance; absolutely free from such defects, as we saw two or but on 16 September, two months after departure, he three with their feet bent inwards.13 too had to take note of Resolution’s poor state. (As a more recent comparison, when I conducted a survey The ship made a great deal of water at the side of crippling conditions in neighbouring Samoa in 1967, seams which wet her entirely between decks so that talipes [20 cases] was second only to poliomyelitis [30] few could sleep dry in their beds. This was not from as a cause of disability in the 150 cases seen.) Anderson the rain so much as the sea breaking upon her side. also commented on the prevalence of elephantiasis: In short it appears that the negligence of those who caulk’d her has been the cause of this: a circumstance There are two other diseases which make themselves so uncomfortable in a long voyage & so unfavourable to be noticed from their frequency, one of which is to the health of the people that it well deserves the an indolent firm swelling or tumour which affects the enquiry of those under whose inspection ships are legs & arms & increases them to an extraordinary fitted out.7 size in their whole length: and the other a tumour of the same sort in the testicles which sometimes Here in one extract is the shrewd observer, the careful exceed the size of the two fists.14 recorder and the caring surgeon, concerned for the wellbeing of the people for whom he bore responsibility. Exactly 100 years later the filarial parasite would be When Discovery caught up at Cape Town, it was discovered by Sir Patrick Manson. Anderson who recorded that ‘they had the misfortune to lose one of their men on the passage who fell And – at the border between surgery and society – overboard but were in other respects well and healthy’.8 Anderson remarked on the ‘odd custom’ by which ‘when history they suspect themselves in danger from sickness they The ships’ next call was at Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) cut off their little finger as a propitiation to the deity’. where Anderson found the Aborigines ‘mild and chearfull Describing this, he mentioned that many were ‘cut so

78 J R Coll Physicians Edinb 2012; 42:75–80 © 2012 RCPE history 79 [1748]. London: London: [1748]. 16 The voyage of the Resolution and Discovery, Resolution and Discovery, of the voyage The The voyage of the Resolution and Adventure, Adventure, and Resolution the of voyage The Anderson died high in the Arctic; John Webber, Webber, John Arctic; high in the died Anderson Promise cut short: the career of William Anderson William of career the short: cut Promise beating through the ice, with the Discovery in the ice, through Resolution beating Beaglehole JC, editor. editor. JC, Beaglehole volume III of the Journals of Captain James Cook on 1776–1780 (2 vols), University Cambridge of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: his voyages 406. p. 1967. Society); the Haylukt (for Press of Roderickadventures The Random Smollett T. 83ff. p. 1964. Dent; editor. JC, Beaglehole II of the Journals of Captain James Cook on his volume 1772–1775, Press University Cambridge of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: voyages xlvi n. p. 1961. Society); the Haylukt (for The Death of this Gentleman, is a most unfortunatemost a is Gentleman, this of Death The his distinguished to our Expedition alltogether; stroke & unbounded humanity, Abilities a Surgeon, as esteemed much and respectable him a most render’d his of loss and the our little Member of Society; the to attention wonted and of, Knowledge superior in the Void a will leave History, Science of Natural to be regretted. much Voyage

Figure 4 Figure faced: they the conditions painted artistthe final voyage, on ‘The John by [detail] Drawing eminent [sic] danger’. the most Library, Turnbull Alexander from (Sourced Webber. NZ) Wellington 1 2 3 Anderson was buried at sea, off an island which Cook which Cook island off an sea, buried at was Anderson Island, Lawrence St Bering’s time, the him at for named its to reverted since has It 1728. in him by discovered a received Anderson poor in death, Even original name. it is a fair Had he survived the voyage, deal. raw the than more become have he would that assumption Clerke’s little Society’ of our of member ‘esteemed a been made have almost certainly for he would tribute: basis the on promptly, quite Society, Royal the of Fellow its the Pacific, of the understanding to his contribution of history. its natural and languages who He was one of a series of able surgeon-naturalists so casts Cook because but who, Cook with travelled their by to be obscured tended have shadow, a long abilitiesdeserve His better recognition. chief. REFERENCES 16 18 It was one of Anderson’s Anderson’s It was one of 17 2012; 42:75–80 2012; That is to say, the Tongans would appear would Tongans the say, That is to 15 Anderson represented to Captain Clerke their inability Clerke to Captain Anderson represented theyand climate, frozen a of severities the encounter to to resign Cook Captain of to ask leave agreed mutually they where might remain that they their situations, as natives, the of care the to themselves trust and were, to health. hope left them of being restored the only To Day Captn Cook accompanied by the Surgeon went Surgeon the by accompanied Cook Captn Day To on an Island off which Bering came to anchor,… ashore the Beach. up the Hill above Cook went Captn J R Coll Physicians Edinb Coll Physicians J R © 2012 RCPE to have anticipated twentieth century anticipated twentieth hand surgery into have the fifth metacarpal when amputatingexcising the head of Performed workers. manual in heavy except the little finger, near- a preserves procedure the section, oblique an with of the hand. the ulnar border normal contour along Burney is an interesting man in his own right. The son of son The right. own in his man interesting an is Burney brother and historian of music, the Dr Charles Burney, he was diarist, the (Mme d’Arblay) Burney of Fanny voyage on the second lieutenant of Adventure second He of Discoveryfirst lieutenant and sailed as on the third. the last parther for commanded of the homeward he right of survival, an admiral by In retirement, voyage. Burney voyaging. Pacific of historian respected a became lines of the describe to account later his in on went Cook approaching delayed two which the by argument had their sense of loyalty until it was too late to do so: self-preservation. their instinct for exceeded the islands reached By 21 December 1777 the ships had while watering parties were chain and, of the Hawaiian walk up a took ‘and Kauai at ashore went Cook work, at Webber Mr and Anderson Dr by accompanied Vally, the and Natives the of one by conducted artist]; [the a tolerable train.’ by attended ’ NION ‘AN AGREEABLE C OMPA its neighbouring and Tahiti on to The expedition sailed were Anderson and Clerke both time this By islands. ashore. get to able hardly Clerke and frail, becoming that: recorded Burney later James years Many short that they have incroach’d on the bone of the hand of the bone on incroach’d short have they that to it’. which joins Plainly Anderson could no longer climb a hill. Until that time Anderson could no longer climb a hill. Plainly but better than Clerke’s, had held up somewhat his strength (and indeed to outlive a year him by was to outlive Clerke 1778 August, 3 on died Anderson months). six by Cook Anderson is a touching one: tribute to Clerke’s 4). (Figure last recorded shore visits. It was also the startthe also was It the of visits. shore recorded last the where experience in Hawaii, would Cook adulation until Lono, god the of reincarnation the him as saw locals in Februaryturned 1779 when adulation the fateful day came visit shore next recorded Anderson’s murder. to the friend, good and mate surgeon’s His 1778. May 4 on noted in his journal: Samwell, David Welshman AW Beasley

4 Lysaght A. Some eighteenth century bird paintings in the library of 10 Beaglehole JC, editor. The voyage of the Resolution and Discovery, Sir Joseph Banks (1743–1820). Bull Brit Mus Nat Hist (Historical 1776–1780 (2 vols), volume III of the Journals of Captain James Cook Series) 1:251–371. on his voyages of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: Cambridge University 5 Beaglehole JC, editor. The voyage of the Resolution and Adventure, Press (for the Haylukt Society); 1967. p. 926. [Anderson’s journal] 1772–1775, volume II of the Journals of Captain James Cook on his 11 Beaglehole JC, editor. The voyage of the Resolution and Discovery, voyages of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1776–1780 (2 vols), volume III of the Journals of Captain James Cook (for the Haylukt Society); 1961. p. cxxvi. on his voyages of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: Cambridge University 6 Solander to Banks, 14 August 1775. Mitchell Library, Sydney. Banks Press (for the Haylukt Society); 1967. p. 927–8. [Anderson’s journal] papers M 1–4. 12 Beaglehole JC, editor. The voyage of the Resolution and Discovery, 7 Beaglehole JC, editor. The voyage of the Resolution and Discovery, 1776–1780 (2 vols), volume III of the Journals of Captain James Cook 1776–1780 (2 vols), volume III of the Journals of Captain James Cook on his voyages of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: Cambridge University on his voyages of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (for the Haylukt Society); 1967. p. 947. [Anderson’s journal] Press (for the Haylukt Society); 1967. p. 749. [Anderson’s journal] 13 Burney J. Chronological history of North-eastern voyages of 8 Beaglehole JC, editor. The voyage of the Resolution and Discovery, Discovery. In: Beaglehole JC. The life of Captain James Cook. 1776–1780 (2 vols), volume III of the Journals of Captain James Cook London: A & C Black; 1974. p. 568–9. on his voyages of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: Cambridge University 14 Beaglehole JC, editor. The voyage of the Resolution and Discovery, Press (for the Haylukt Society); 1967. p. 756. 1776-1780 (2 vols), volume III of the Journals of Captain James Cook on 9 Beaglehole JC, editor. The voyage of the Resolution and Discovery, his voyages of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: Cambridge University 1776–1780 (2 vols), volume III of the Journals of Captain James Cook Press (for the Haylukt Society); 1967. p. 269. [Cook’s journal] on his voyages of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: Cambridge University 15 Beaglehole JC, editor. The voyage of the Resolution and Discovery, Press (for the Haylukt Society); 1967. p. 786. 1776–1780 (2 vols), volume III of the Journals of Captain James Cook 10 Beaglehole JC, editor. The voyage of the Resolution and Discovery, on his voyages of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: Cambridge University 1776–1780 (2 vols), volume III of the Journals of Captain James Cook Press (for the Haylukt Society); 1967. p. 1105–6. [Samwell’s journal] on his voyages of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: Cambridge University 16 Beaglehole JC, editor. The voyage of the Resolution and Discovery, Press (for the Haylukt Society); 1967.p. 813. 1776–1780 (2 vols), volume III of the Journals of Captain James Cook 8 Beaglehole JC, editor. The voyage of the Resolution and Discovery, on his voyages of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: Cambridge University 1776–1780 (2 vols), volume III of the Journals of Captain James Cook Press (for the Haylukt Society); 1967. p. 406, n.1. [Clerke’s journal] on his voyages of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (for the Haylukt Society); 1967. p. 813. [Anderson’s journal] 9 Beaglehole JC, editor. The voyage of the Resolution and Discovery, 1776–1780 (2 vols), volume III of the Journals of Captain James Cook on his voyages of discovery (4 vols). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (for the Haylukt Society); 1967. p. 858–9. [Anderson’s journal] history

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