CHATHAM, DISCOVERY, SUTIL & MEXICANA off Point Grey.
June 24, 1792

Watercolor 29" x 40"


On the way north from his landfall at 39º 27´ N. Vancouver made a running survey of the coast right into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. In Discovery Bay [ Eliza’s Puerto de Bodega y Quadra] he began the surveying system that set the pattern for for the next three years. DISCOVERY and CHATHAM would find secure anchorage and the detailed survey was carried out by the fleet of ships boats. In some instances they would be away from the big ships for up to two weeks, and fifty miles a day under oars was not unusual. Puget Sound was charted in May and June and the east side of the Strait of Georgia, all the way to Jervis Inlet, including Vancouver Harbour, was surveyed while DISCOVERY and CHATHAM were anchored in Birch Bay.
At exactly the same time that Vancouver was in the straits, a Spanish expedition was also conducting a major survey of the inside waters. It was to be Spain’s last on the Northwest Coast. Two small brigantines, the SUTIL and MEXICANA left Acapulco on March 8th and after a stay in Nootka were at Puerto de Cordova [Esquimalt] in early June. On June 12th they caught up to the English expedition. Between ten and midnight, while sailing past Birch Bay, they saw the lights of DISCOVERY and CHATHAM anchored there. On June 22nd, when rowing back from his survey of Jervis Inlet, Vancouver found the two Spanish ships anchored off the tip of Point Grey, and it was agreed the two parties would continue together, combining the surveys and sharing their charts .

“With a fine breeze, and very pleasant weather, we sailed out of Birch Bay, on Midsummer morning: and, with the wind from eastward, we directed our course up the gulf, to the north-westward. About two in the afternoon of Sunday the 24th, we were joined by the Spanish vessels, who saluted by cheering. This was returned; after which their respective commanders favored me with their company on board Discovery; and we pursued our way up the gulf together.”

From: A Voyage of Discovery...Captain GeorgeVancouver