Portrait of Captain James Cook, by John Webber © In 1769 Venus was due to pass in front of the Sun, a rare event that can be used to measure the distance of the Sun from
the Earth. The Royal Society decided to send astronomers to the Pacific to record the transit of the planet, and enlisted
the Navy's help. The Navy agreed, as long as one of their officers was in charge of the boat.
Cook was chosen as commander, and the Whitby-built HM Endeavour was acquired and fitted out. After calling in
on Tahiti to witness the transit of Venus, Cook sailed down to 40º latitude but found there was no land.
In accordance with his instruction he turned and headed towards New Zealand, which had previously been 'discovered' by
the Dutchman Abel Tasman. During the rest of the voyage Cook and his crew charted New Zealand, sailed the east coast of Australia
and rediscovered the Torres Strait.
In 1772-5, not satisfied by his previous exploits, he made a second voyage of discovery, this time to chart the Atlantic.
Cook was a practical seaman, who understood the importance of vitamin C to maintain the health of his crew, but on his
third and final journey, in command of the Resolution, he did not deal so well with the Hawaiians he encountered
when he landed on their island .
Misjudging the situation, he took their king hostage, after some hostility. Then during a brawl in another part of the
island, one of the Hawaiian chiefs, Chief Kalimu, was killed by one of Cook's party. News of this reached the king just as
Captain Cook was leading his hostage down to the Resolution.
The Hawaiians had by now started to distrust Cook's intentions, and attacked the English group. Cook remained aloof from
the fighting, until one warrior crept up behind him and hit him on the head with a large club. Other warriors then joined
in attacking him with daggers, causing him to fall in the water. Cook managed to get his head up again, but another warrior
gave him a shattering blow - and Cook went down for the last time. |
