James Cook

James Cook (October 27, 1728 – February 14, 1779) was a British explorer, navigator, and map maker. He made three voyages to the Pacific Ocean, in which its main shorelines were mapped. His most notable accomplishments were the discoveries of the east coast of Australia and the Hawaiian Islands, and the mapping of New Zealand.

Third voyage (1776-1779)

On his last voyage, Cook once again commanded HMS Resolution, while Captain Charles Clerke commanded HMS Discovery. Ostensibly the voyage was planned to return Omai to Tahiti; this is what the general public believed, as he had become a favourite curiosity in London. After returning Omai, Cook travelled north and in 1778 became the first European to visit the Hawaiian Islands, which he named the "Sandwich Islands" after the 4th Earl of Sandwich, the acting First Lord of the Admiralty. In Hawaii, he was treated with great reverence, as the natives thought he was an incarnation of the god Lono. From there, he travelled east to explore the west coast of North America, eventually landing near the First Nations village at Yuquot in Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island, although he unknowingly sailed past the Strait of Juan de Fuca. He explored and mapped the coast from California all the way to the Bering Strait, on the way discovering what came to be known as Cook Inlet in Alaska.

Related Topics:
Charles Clerke - HMS ''Discovery'' - London - 1778 - Hawaiian Islands - Earl of Sandwich - First Lord of the Admiralty - Lono - North America - First Nation - Yuquot - Nootka Sound - Vancouver Island - Strait of Juan de Fuca - California - Bering Strait - Cook Inlet - Alaska

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Bering Strait proved to be impassable, although he made several attempts to sail through it. Cook became increasingly frustrated on this voyage, and probably began to suffer from a stomach ailment; it is speculated that this led to irrational behaviour towards his crew, such as forcing them to eat walrus meat, which they found inedible.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cook returned to Hawaii in 1779. On February 14 at Kealakekua Bay, some Hawaiians stole one of Cook's small boats. Normally, as thefts were quite common in Tahiti and the other islands, he would have taken hostages until the stolen articles were returned. Indeed, he planned to take hostage the King of Hawaii, Kalaniopuu. However, his stomach ailment and increasingly irrational behaviour led to an altercation with a large crowd of Hawaiians gathered on the beach. In the ensuing skirmish, shots were fired at the Hawaiians and Cook was clubbed and stabbed to death.

Related Topics:
1779 - February 14 - Kealakekua Bay - Hostages

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Clerke took over the expedition and made a final attempt to pass through the Bering Strait. The Resolution and Discovery finally returned home in 1780.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~