Captain James Cook Background Born in 1728 in

Captain James Cook

Background Born in 1728, in Yorkshire England. Studied algebra, geometry, navigation and astronomy. He began working on trade ships before progressing into the navy ranks as a merchant. Cook eventually volunteered for the Royal Navy.

Exploration First Voyage Cooks first voyage was between 1768 and 1771 to the Pacific region, as a lieutenant. Cook made his first landfall on the Kurnell Peninsula naming the area ‘Botany Bay’. It is during this landfall that Cook made first contact with the Gweagal tribe.

The First Voyage of Captain Cook.

Exploration Second Voyage o During 1772 and 1775 Cook sailed as a commander of the HMS Resolution. o The voyage focused on circumnavigating the southern latitude to find the continent ‘Terra Australia’. o He landed in Tahiti, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Easer Island Norfolk Island. Cook also came in close contact with the Antarctica continent.

Exploration Third Voyage During 1776 and 1779, Cook sailed as a commander of the HMS Resolution again. Cook sailed to Tahiti and then on towards the Americas to navigate the Bering Strait. Cook became the first European to visit the Hawaiian Islands.

Assisting the First Fleet The First Fleet travelled to what Cook had surveyed as the east coast of New Holland, having named it New South Whales in 1770. Cook suggested that Port Botany was ideal for a settlement location for the colonies to establish themselves.

Final Years Captain James Cook died in 1779 in the Hawaiian Islands after a confrontation with the people of Kealakekus Bay. The Hawaiian people held Cook in high regard and gave him a proper funeral of their people. Later on, as was tradition, Cook’s crew also gave him a burial at sea.

References Information http: //www. historyservices. com. au/nsw_colonial_c hronology_1770_1803. htm http: //www. ducksters. com/biography/explorers/ca ptain_james_cook. php http: //www. historyaustralia. org. au/ifhaa/ships/1 stfl eet. htm Images http: //lamingtonsandlasagna. com/tag/captaincook/ http: //ca. wikipedia. org/wiki/James_Cook