[Gutenberg 16611] • Anson's Voyage Round the World / The Text Reduced

The Account of Lord Anson's Voyage round the world, written by his chaplain, Richard Walter, is one of Egland's classics of the sea. It is based on Anson's own private papers, and may be considered as to all intents and purposes the Commodore's own work.

Anson is still well-remembered as the Father of the Navy, owing to his successful efforts to remove many of the hardships of the sailor's life, ad the many improvements that were introduced during his administration, for in later years he became First Lord of the Admiralty.

In this edition of the 'Voyage' the 150,000 wors of the original account have been reduced by about half, but, it is hoped, without seriously injuring te context, and without changing the original text or its spelling. Some repetitions have been excised, and some hypothetical discourses based on surmises that were in fact incorrect; and some detailed navigational descriptions have been omitted as of little interest to the modern general reader. But it is believed that the more interesting passages of the original have been retained, and that the story of the famous expedition of two hundred years ago will interest and enthral all who enjoy a story of real-life adventure, and who care for Britain's naval tradition and honour the men who made it.