16th August 1771
“Lieutenant Cook of the Royal Navy, who sailed around the globe, had the honour of presenting to His Majesty a complete journal of the said voyage, which was graciously received… at the same time, he was presented with a Captain’s Commision”.
- London Evening Post
James Cook was a British explorer, navigator, cartographer (map maker), and captain in the Royal Navy. He made detailed maps of Newfoundland before making three voyages to the Pacific Ocean. He was the first European to record contact with the people of the East Coast of Australia and the Hawaiian islands and made the first recorded circumnavigation (travelling around something, in this case, the world) of New Zealand in 1766 aboard the Endeavor. He was killed in Hawaii.
Captain James Cook spent a total of 328 days exploring the New Zealand coastline during his three voyages. The purpose of his voyages was to observe the Transit of Venus in Tahiti and then search for a great Southern continent which was believed to exist- Terra Australis. He was supposed to return to Ship Cove in Queen Charlotte Sound, on five separate occasions. He spent over 100 days there, as it provided a safe place to anchor, food, fresh water and timber for repairs to his ship. His first voyage involved a six-month-long circumnavigation of New Zealand. His ship sailed into Ship Cove on 16 January 1770. His second voyage involved two ships, the Resolution that was commanded by James Cook, and the Adventure commanded by Lieutenant Tobias Furneaux. They left from Plymouth in England on July 13, 1772, and met at Ship Cove in May in 1773, but lost contact with each other after they left Queen Charlotte Sound and later both visited Marlborough Sounds area separately. James later learned that 10 men from the Adventure had been attacked and killed at Wharehunga Bay, Arapawa Island. Many thought that he would seek revenge for the killings when he returned, but he did not.
Attempts were made by the Europeans to introduce various animals. Furneaux liberated a boar, and a sow and a pair of goats were released on Arapawa Island. Rats, chickens and more pigs were also introduced to New Zealand by Cook’s ships. James put a female and male sheep ashore at Ship Cove and was disappointed with his failure to introduce sheep. The Europeans left potatoes, and turnips as well as other vegetables. They also brought serious diseases to Māori, including tuberculosis, and venereal diseases.
During the second voyage, Cook recorded that some Māori families were living near their ships and supplying them with fish. He acknowledged that their fishing methods and expertise were better. Cook then left the Marlborough Sounds on June 7 1773, but he returned to Ship Cove again in November, leaving on 25th November, to return in October 1774 still on his second voyage. Cook’s third voyage commanding the Resolution and accompanied by the Discovery, included a stay at Ship Cove in the same spot during February 1777 to refresh and refit the ships. Captain Cook was 47 years old and clearly weary with the demanding and dangerous voyages and dealing with the various people of the Pacific. He began to act less tolerant and on 14th February 1779, overreacted to a theft in Hawaii, which resulted in a fight in which James was killed.
James Cook was born in 1728 at Marton-in-Cleveland, Yorkshire, England. In 1746 he moved to the port of Whitby, where he was apprenticed to a shipowner and coal shipper. As a sailor in the North Sea coal trade the young Cook familiarised himself with the type of vessel which, years later, he would employ on his epic voyages of discovery. In 1755 Cook took the unusual step of volunteering for the navy as an able seaman. He served 10 years on the North American station, where he developed skills in marine surveying and navigation. In 1768 he was appointed to command a scientific expedition to this Pacific Ocean. His primary objective on this voyage was to observe the transit of Venus across the disc of the sun in Tahiti, while his secondary objective was to search for the fabled great southern continent. Instead of finding a great land mass to balance those of the northern hemisphere. Cook initiated the first Māori-European interaction since Abel Tasman’s brief encounter in 1642. In his remarkably accurate charting of New Zealand and his dealings with Māori, Cook displayed his excellence as a navigator. Learning from his tragic experience of confused bloodshed after the first landfall in 1769 at present-day Gisborne, Cook evolved a policy of race relations aimed at facilitating surveying work and the resupply of his ships, while avoiding friction with Māori. This cooperation was necessary to sustain his crew on the three visits Cook made to New Zealand, in 1769-70, 1773 and 1777.
At this time, Geography was the most advanced Science. Already most of the broad outlines of the world had already been mapped, most continents have been found and people with great power had already claimed them. In 1768, with America rested, England had the prestige of a new continental claim, and the area chosen to explore was the South Pacific. The vast mote that wishful thinkers had placed around a mysterious Southern Continent. Rumour had it that this new land was as rich as the Indies, and they knew it was there. The old mapmakers had told them so. But in truth, it was only opinions. Soon enough a man would make history while exploring the globe.
While scoping the globe, James kept a journal, here a few excerpts from his journal…
First excerpt I found - [May to July 1768.]
RIVER THAMES, Friday, May 27th, to Friday, July 29th. Moderate and fair weather; at 11 a.m. hoisted the Pendant and took charge of the Ship, agreeable to my Commission of the 25th instant, she lying in the Bason in Deptford Yard. From this day to the 21st of July we were constantly employed in fitting the Ship, taking on board Stores and Provisions, etc. The same day we sailed from Deptford and anchored in Gallions reach, where we remained until the 30th. The transactions of Each Day, both while we lay here and at Deptford, are inserted in the Log Book, and as they contain nothing but common Occurrences, it was thought not necessary to insert them here.
[July to August 1768.]
July 30th to August 7th. Saturday,
July 30th, Weighed from Gallions, and made sail down the River, the same day Anchored at Gravesend, and the next Morning weighed from thence, and at Noon Anchored at the Buoy of the Fairway.
On Wednesday, 3rd of August, Anchored in the Downs in 9 fathoms of water, Deal Castle North-West by West.
On Sunday, 7th, I joined the Ship, discharged the Pilot, and the next day sailed for Plymouth.
Monday, 8th. Fresh Breezes and Cloudy weather the most part of these 24 hours. At 10 a.m. weighed and came to sail; at Noon the South Foreland bore North-East 1/2 North, distant 6 or 7 Miles. Wind West by North, North-West.
Tuesday, 9th. Gentle breezes and Cloudy weather. At 7 p.m. the Tide being against us, Anchored in 13 fathoms of Water; Dungeness South-West by West. At 11 a.m. Weighed and made Sail down Channel; at Noon, Beachy Head, North by East 1/2 East, distant 6 Leagues, Latitude observed 50 degrees 30 minutes North. Wind North-West to North.
Wednesday, 10th. Variable: light Airs and Clear weather. At 8 p.m. Beachy Head North-East by East, distant 4 Leagues, and at 8 a.m. it bore North-East by North, 9 Leagues. Found the Variation of the Compass to be 23 degrees West; at Noon the Isle of Wight North-West by North. Wind West by North, North-East by East.
Thursday, 11th. Light Airs and Clear weather. At 8 p.m. Dunnose North by West 5 Leagues, and at 4 a.m. it bore North-North-East 1/2 East, distant 5 Leagues. Wind Variable.
Friday, 12th. Light Airs and Calms all these 24 Hours. At Noon the Bill of Portland bore North-West 1/2 West, distant 3 Leagues. Latitude Observed 50 degrees 24 minutes North. Wind Easterly.
Saturday, 13th. Ditto weather. At Noon the Start Point West 7 or 8 miles. Latitude Observed 50 degrees 12 minutes North, which must be the Latitude of the Start, as it bore West.* (* This is correct.) Wind Variable.
Sunday, 14th. Fine breezes and Clear weather. At 1/2 past 8 p.m. Anchored in the Entrance of Plymouth Sound in 9 fathoms water. At 4 a.m. weighed and worked into proper Anchoring ground, and Anchored in 6 fathoms, the Mewstone South-East, Mount Batten North-North-East 1/2 East, and Drake's Island North by West. Dispatched an Express to London for Mr Banks and Dr Solander to join the Ship, their Servants and Baggage being already on board. Wind North-Easterly.
Monday, 15th. First and latter parts Moderate breezes and fair; Middle squally, with heavy showers of rain. I this day received an order to Augment the Ship's Company to 85 Men, which before was but 70. Received on board fresh Beef for the Ship's Company. Wind South-West to South-East.
Tuesday, 16th. First part moderate and Hazey; Middle hard Squalls with rain; the Latter moderate and fair. Received on board a supply of Bread, Beer, and Water. A Sergeant, Corporal, Drummer, and 9 Private Marines as part of the Complement. Wind South-South-East to North-East.
Wednesday, 17th. Little wind and Hazey weather. Sent some Cordage to the Yard in order to be Exchanged for Smaller. Several Shipwrights and Joiners from the Yard Employed onboard refitting the Gentlemen's Cabins and making a Platform over the Tiller, etc. Wind South-East to East by South.
Thursday, 18th. Little wind and Cloudy. Struck down 4 guns into the Hold. Received on board 4 More, with 12 Barrels of Powder and several other Stores. Shipwrights and Joiners Employed on board. Wind Easterly.
Friday, 19th. Former part little wind with rain; remainder fair weather; a.m. Read to the Ship's Company the Articles of War and the Act of Parliament, they likewise were paid two Months' Wages in advance. I also told them that they were to Expect no additional pay for the performance of our intended Voyage; they were well satisfied and Expressed great Cheerfulness and readiness to prosecute the Voyage. Received on board another Supply of Provisions, Rum, etc. Wind North-West to South-West.
Saturday, 20th. First part little wind with rain; remainder fresh Gales and thick rainy weather. Employed making ready for Sea. Wind West-South-West.
Sunday, 21st. Fresh Gales and Ditto Weather. The Shipwrights having finished their Work, intended to have sailed, instead of which was obliged to let go another Anchor. Wind South-West, West-South-West.
Monday, 22nd. Fresh Gales, with heavy squalls of Wind and Rain all these 24 hours. Wind South-West.
Tuesday, 23rd. Ditto weather. Struck Yards and Topmasts; Anchored between the Island and the Main His Majesty's Ship Gibraltar. Wind West by South.
Wednesday, 24th. Fresh Gales and Hazey weather; a.m. hove up the Small Bower Anchor and got Topmasts and Yards. Wind West by South.
Thursday, 25th. Moderate and Cloudy weather; a.m. received on Board a supply of Beer and Water and returned all our Empty Casks. Loosed the Topsails as a Signal for Sailing. Wind West, North by West, North-West by West.
[Sailed from Plymouth.]
Friday, 26th. First part fresh Breezes and Cloudy, remainder little wind and Clear. At 2 p.m. got under Sail and put to Sea, having on board 94 Persons, including Officers, Seamen, Gentlemen, and their Servants; near 18 Months' Provisions, 10 Carriage Guns, 12 Swivels, with good Store of Ammunition and Stores of all kinds. At 8 the Dodman Point West-North-West, distant 4 or 5 Leagues; at 6 a.m. the Lizard bore West-North-West 1/2 West, 5 or 6 Leagues distant. At Noon Sounded and had 50 fathoms, Grey sand with small Stones and broken Shells. Wind North by West, North-West, West by South; course South 21 degrees East; distance 23 miles; latitude 49 degrees 30 minutes North, longitude 5 degrees 52 minutes West; at noon, Lizard North 21 degrees West distant 23 miles.
Saturday, 27th. First part Light Airs and Clear weather, remainder fresh breezes and Cloudy. Berthed the Ship's Company, Mustered the Chests and Stove all that was unnecessary. Wind North-West, North-East, South-East; course South-West; distance 77 miles; latitude 48 degrees 42 minutes North, longitude 6 degrees 49 minutes West; at noon, Lizard North 29 degrees East, 80 miles.
Sunday, 28th. Former part fresh Gales and Hazey with rain; remainder a Moderate breeze and Cloudy. Wind Easterly; course South 48 degrees West; distance 130 miles; latitude 47 degrees 16 minutes North, longitude 9 degrees 7 minutes West; at noon Lizard North 40 degrees 5 minutes East; 69 leagues.
Monday, 29th. Light Airs and Hazey the Most part of these 24 hours with some Rain. Wind North-Westerly; course South 21 degrees West; distance 41 miles; latitude 46 degrees 38 minutes North, longitude 9 degrees 29 minutes West; at noon, Lizard North 37 degrees 45 minutes East, 86 leagues.
Tuesday, 30th. Fresh Gales all these 24 Hours. At 1/2 past 1 p.m. Spoke with His Majesty's Ship Guardaloupe; at 6 Close Reeft the Topsails, and got down the Top Gallant Yards. Wind Westerly; course South 27 degrees West; distance 33 miles; latitude 46 degrees 9 minutes North, longitude 9 degrees 52 minutes West; at noon, Lizard North 36 degrees East, 96 leagues.
Wednesday, 31st. First and Middle parts, Moderate breezes and Clear; Latter, fresh Gales and Cloudy. At 6 p.m. loosed the 2nd Reef out of the Topsails, and at 8 a.m. took them in again; at Noon Tacked and stood to the North-West, having stood before to the Southward. Wind West to South-West; course South 36 degrees East; distance 82 miles; latitude 45 degrees 3 minutes North, longitude 8 degrees 43 minutes West; at noon, Lizard North-North-East.
Captain James Cook will forever be an important figure in New Zealand history. His discoveries shaped the future for generations to come. 
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