A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean, and Round the World. Vol. I

1801

de Beer Eb 1801 V

London: Printed for John Stockdale

To ward off an outbreak of scurvy on board, Cook looked to a local resource while at Dusky Sound. His use of rimu leaves to create spruce beer was certainly innovative. And it was not a one-time occasion. George Vancouver (1757-1798), who accompanied Cook on the second and third voyages, also utilised the same when he called at Dusky Sound during November 1791. The ‘good effects’ on the crew of spruce beer are mentioned as well as Vancouver’s use of a species of cypress and ‘tea plant’ for brewing at sea. The Scottish surgeon Archibald Menzies (1754–1842) was with Vancouver. During his botanising he discovered two well-known plants: Dracophyllum menziesii (dragon leaf) and Nothofagus (Lophozonia) menziesii (silver beech).