Georg Forster, the scientific draftsman on Cook’s second circumnavigation of the world, reports on war clubs for the first time in his chronicle “Voyage around the World” from the Tongan island of `Eua on October 2, 1773:
“The clubs of the people of this isle, were of an infinite variety of shapes, and many of them so ponderous, some that we could scarce manage them with one hand; the most common form was quadrangular, so as to make a rhomboid at the broad end, and gradually tapering into a round handle at the other. But many were spatulated, flattish, and pointed; some had long handles and a blade which resembled the blade of a fleam, others were crooked, knobbed, &c. But by far the greatest part were carved all over in many chequerd patterns, which seemed to have required a long space of time, and incredible patience, especially when we consider, that a sharp stone, or a piece of coral, are the only tools, which the natives can employ in this kind of work. All the different compartments were wrought and divided with a regularity which quiet surprised us, and the whole surface of the plain clubs was highly polished, as if our best workman had made them with the best instruments.”
Johann Reinhold Forster, the head of the scientific expedition of Cook's second circumnavigation, recorded in his log that on October 8, 1773, some clubs were purchased at the “trading post” on the island of Tongatapu. The clubs in Herrnhut may therefore have been traded on Tongatapu or `Eua. However, it is also possible that Cook’s escort officer James Burney, or another voyager “collected” or received Tongan clubs on Tongatapu, Nomuka, or Lifuka in the Ha'apai group during Cook’s second or third voyage. The Polynesian Mai, who was the first Pacific Islander to visit London on Cook’s second voyage and who returned to the Society Island of Huahine on Cook’s third voyage, may also have received such status-laden clubs as gifts or exchanged them during his stays in Tonga.