Rehbock: At Sea W/ The Scientifics

Historians and buffs of nautical yarns will welcome this collection of 69 recently discovered letters penned by a literate, observant crew member of the British oceanography survey vessel Challenger, which traveled the waters of the globe from 1872 to 1876. While the expedition's scientific accomplishments have been well recorded, this is the first chronicle by a ``below decks'' witness. Matkin's letters are enlivened by perceptive comments laced with humor about various shipboard characters and relations between ``scientifics,'' officers and crew. His lively curiosity and appreciation of natural and manmade beauty is reflected in informed descriptions of the flora and fauna at exotic lands and their sophisticated or primitive peoples. Excellent editing and smooth transitional annotations by Rehbock, who teaches history and science at the University of Hawaii, greatly add to the letters' narrative impact. Illustrations not seen by PW. (Jan.)