James Cook

James Cook
Captain James Cook (1728-1779) was a British explorer, navigator, and cartographer known for his detailed maps and voyages across the Pacific Ocean. He is most famous for his three expeditions, during which he charted large parts of New Zealand, Australia, and the Hawaiian Islands. His first voyage aboard the "Endeavour" (1768-1771) was commissioned by the Royal Society to observe the transit of Venus and explore the South Pacific. Cook's expeditions significantly expanded European knowledge of the Pacific, though his encounters with indigenous peoples sometimes led to conflict, and he was ultimately killed in Hawaii during his third voyage.

Author's Books:


CHAPTER I. Passage from Ulietea to the Friendly Isles, with a Description of several Islands that were discovered, and the Incidents which happened in that Track. 1774 June On the 6th, being the day after leaving Ulietea, at eleven o'clock a.m., we saw land bearing N.W., which, upon a nearer approach, we found to be a low reef island about four leagues in compass, and of a circular form. It is... more...

All Bearings and Courses hereafter-mentioned, are the true Bearings and Courses, and not by Compass. Cape Chapeaurouge. Cape Chapeaurouge, or the Mountain of the Red Hat, is situated on the West side of Placentia Bay, in the Latitude of 46° 53' North, and lies nearly West 17 or 18 Leagues from Cape St. Maries; it is the highest and most remarkable Land on that Part of the Coast, appearing above... more...

GENERAL INTRODUCTION. Whether the unexplored part of the Southern Hemisphere be only an immense mass of water, or contain another continent, as speculative geography seemed to suggest, was a question which had long engaged the attention, not only of learned men, but of most of the maritime powers of Europe. To put an end to all diversity of opinion about a matter so curious and important, was his... more...