Captain James Cook Expert Navigator and Explorer By

Captain James Cook Expert Navigator and Explorer By Lindsay Falck CIS 1020 Professor Frisbey

Why was Cook recruited to explore the Pacific? • He was hired to observe and record a transit of Venus across the Sun. – The data recorded by Charles Green, and James Cook were very inaccurate, so once the observations were completed, Captain Cook decided to search the South Pacific for Terra Australis. January 4, 2022 2

Captain Cooks Background • His first assignment as a Merchant Navy Apprentice was served aboard the Freelove. – During his 3 year apprenticeship he studied algebra, geometry, trigonometry, navigation and astronomy. • He served as master of the Pembroke during the Seven Years War, where he honed his skills as a surveyor. – During this time he mapped the coast of Newfoundland. • As an explorer, he intended to go not only “farther than any man has been before me, but as far as I think it is possible for a man to go. ” January 4, 2022 3

1768: His First Voyage on the Endeavor • The expedition sailed from England arrived in Tahiti in April of 1769. – They arrived on the Australian continent in April of 1770. • First contact with the Gweagal tribe was made. – The Endeavor was damaged in June of 1770, when it hit the Great Barrier Reef. Repairs took 7 weeks. • The expedition returned home in July of 1771. January 4, 2022 4

1772 -75: His second voyage • Cook commanded the HMS Resolution and Tobias Furneaux commanded the companion ship, HMS Adventure. • The expedition was one of the first to cross the Antarctic Circle in January of 1773. – During the expedition the Resolution and Adventure became separated in an Antarctic fog. • Cook explored the Friendly Islands, Easter Island, and New Caldonia in 1774. – He employed the Larcum Kendall K 1 chronometor during this voyage. January 4, 2022 5

1776 -79: His final Voyage • He was the first European to visit the Hawaiian islands in 1778. – He named the islands the “Sandwich Islands. ” • In 1778 the ship spent a month in Nookta Sound on Vancouver Island. – They traded items with the Yuquot people. • They visited the Bering Strait. • In 1779, they returned to Hawaii. – After a months stay, some Hawaiians stole on of Cook’s small boats. • He attempted to take the king of Hawaii hostage. • Cook was beaten to death by some villagers and his body dragged away. January 4, 2022 6

Fast facts • On Cook’s first voyage, the ship was supplied with: – 6, 000 pieces of pork – Nine tons of bread – Five tons of flour – 250 barrels of beer – 44 barrels of brandy and 17 barrels of rum • To avoid scurvy, Cook encouraged crew to eat citrus fruits and sauerkraut. January 4, 2022 7

Why I chose to speak about Captain Cook • He was one of the first explorers to sail the Pacific. He wasn’t afraid to experience new cultures. • I also have a passion to learn about different cultures. It would be a great opportunity to sail from island to island learn more about the history between the native Hawaiian’s and Captain Cook. • I will provide a report on the current culture in Hawaii, and the traditions that still exist today. • I would like my trip to be funded in return. January 4, 2022 8