[CAP HORN]. Ministries of the Navy and Public Instruction Scientific mission to Cape Horn. 1882-1883. Volume I : History of the voyage, by L.-F. Martial, captain of the frigate. Paris, Gauthier-Villars, 1888. In-4 (267 x 204 mm) of IX, 496 pp, 3 maps, 9 plates in heliogravure. Modern beige percale, smooth spine, cover preserved. First edition. Very detailed travel account by Captain Martial (1836-1885). The crew left Cherbourg in July 1882 and arrived at Hoste Island on September 6. Martial left three naval officers, two doctors, Hahn and Paul Hyades, and three naturalists and continued his journey to carry out hydrographic works on the coasts of Tierra del Fuego, the Magellan Strait and the Falklands. Martial triangulated the entire Beagle Channel and the Cape Horn archipelago and surveyed the shores of the Beagle Channel. The maps established clearly improve those of Robert Fitzroy of 1833 and will even be republished until 1986 by the Hydrographic Service of the Navy. Martial took back the scientists from Hoste Island on September 3, 1883 and returned to Cherbourg on November 11. During the voyage, he discovered the sea pit that bears the name of his ship. On September 10, 1885, he died of an endemic disease in northern China at the age of 49 while commanding the barbette cruiser Champlain1,3. The publication of the results of the expedition, delayed by this death, was carried out by Paul Hyades. A Fuegian mountain is named in his honor. (see Wikipedia). The very beautiful heliogravures show views, characters, and life on the boat. Nice copy.