Explorations on the Welle-Mobangi River. [AND] The Congo, and the Ngala and Aruwimi Tributaries. by Vangele, Captain and Werner, J. R - 1889

London: Royal Geographical Society, 1889. 27 pages, two reports in one complete issue. Plus a fold-out colour map measuring approximately 8.25 x 12 inches (21 x 30cm). Original condition with blue wrappers, titles to front, and containing all the ads. This is a complete issue, seldom found in such good and original condition. A set of two extraordinary Congo expedition narratives accompanied by a spectacular large fold out colour map of the Central Congo Region with two insets illustrating the Zongo rapids. Werner was an engineer in the Congo State steamer A.I.A., which arrived at Yambuya in May 1888 to find the rear-guard of the Stanley's Emin Pasha Relief Expedition still encamped. A most interesting description of Werner's travels in the Congo state. Captain Vangele's explorations had a special value, as they proved that the Welle and the Ubangi were one and the same river. His journey was fraught with danger and over a very difficult series of navigations, undertaken with a very small force, and only one small paddle-wheel steamer and a canoe. After Grenfell's journey in 1885 geographers were met with this seemingly insurmountable problem, of whether the great riverine system which Schweinfurth discovered in the central Sudan was the same as that which Grenfell had traced to 4º North. Captain Vangele's journey had solved the problem, and proved that the Welle and Mobangi were one and the same river.. First Edition.