[DOWER, John (1825-1901). A New General Atlas, London, c.1840], 4to, 52 engraved maps (lacks title), contemporary roan (worn). Inscribed, "... from Dr Alexander Watson, R. N. One of the few things saved from H. M. S. 'Cormorant' when she sank ... 1859."

[DOWER, John (1825-1901).  A New General Atlas of the World. London: Orr & Company, c.1840]. 4to (295 x 240mm). 51 engraved maps, hand-coloured in outline, with an additional chart [not called for on the list], numbered "51", of "A View of the Comparative Lengths of the Principal Rivers, and Heights of the Principal Mountains in the World" (lacking the engraved title, the contents leaf detached, some mainly marginal spotting, staining and browning). Contemporary black half roan gilt (worn, covers detached, heavily rubbed and scuffed). Provenance: "M. P. S. Ward, from Dr Alexander Watson, R. N. One of the few things saved from H. M. S. 'Cormorant' when she sank under the Batteries at the Mouth of the 'Pliho' [sic, i.e. Pieho] - June 26th, 1859" (inscription on the front free endpaper [detached]). "Alexander Watson was one of two sons and four daughters of John Watson of Freehall, Castlerock, County Londonderry, and his wife Mary. He graduated MD (University of Edinburgh) in 1847, his thesis being 'On Acute Pleurisy', and with Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (MRCSEd). On 16 January 1848 he entered the Naval Medical Service as assistant surgeon and was soon warranted as surgeon on HMS Highflyer, saw service in the Crimean War and was mentioned in dispatches for his commendable skills during an outbreak of cholera in the fleet at Varna. Subsequently he saw active service in the principal naval engagements and operations in the Black Sea which included the bombardment of Sebastopol and the capture of Kertch for which he received the Crimean and Turkish medals and the Sebastopol clasp. He was promoted staff surgeon on 2 December 1855 and posted as an additional medical officer to the flagship of the Commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean station, and in this rank was appointed to HM screw sloop Cormorant under the command of Thomas Saumarez which in May 1858 took part in the capture of the Peiho forts which allowed passage for Lord Elgin to proceed up-river to sign the Tien-tain Treaty. The following year (1859) this treaty required ratification, but the Chinese refused passage to the envoy (Sir Frederick Bruce KCB), and when a flotilla, including Cormorant tried to force a passage, it was repulsed. Cormorant and two other vessels were sunk, and Watson was among those wounded. For his skill and courage during the action, Watson was awarded the China medal and Taku clasp, and after recovering from his own wounds he was put in charge of the seriously wounded on their return to England" (The Dictionary of Ulster Biography).