James Cook

James Cook, a British naval captain, navigator, and explorer, was born in Marton-in-Cleveland, Yorkshire, England. He conducted three expeditions to the Pacific Ocean and explored various regions from Canada to Australia and New Zealand.

James Cook, a British explorer, cartographer, and naval officer, was born on November 7, 1728, in Marton, Yorkshire. He became famous for his voyages in the Pacific Ocean and his detailed mapping of Newfoundland.

In 1736, James Cook's family moved to Airey Holme farm at Great Ayton. This move provided Cook with opportunities for education and laid the foundation for his future achievements.

In 1745, at the age of 16, James Cook moved to the fishing village of Staithes to be apprenticed as a shop boy to grocer and haberdasher William Sanderson. It is believed that Cook's interest in the sea began during this time.

James Cook joined the Royal Navy on June 17, 1755.

In 1756, Captain J. Cook documented observations on variations in compass and chronometer rates.

In 1758, James Cook was present at the capture of the French base of Louisbourg. This event influenced Cook's care for the welfare of his later crews.

In 1759, James Cook's charting of the St. Lawrence led to the storming of Quebec and the end of French domination in Canada.

On December 21, 1762, James Cook marries Elizabeth Batts, who is thirteen years younger than him, at St. Margaret's church in Barking, Essex.

In May 1763, James Cook sails to Newfoundland as a surveyor, conducting accurate surveys of the coast from both land and sea. He would return to England each winter.

After 10 years of sailing experience, James Cook finally joined the Royal Navy, feeling proud of himself.

James Cook was requested to lead an expedition due to his expertise in mapping the Canadian coast. He was recognized as a capable leader with scientific skills for observing the transit of Venus.

On 25 May 1768, the Admiralty commissioned James Cook to lead a scientific voyage to the Pacific Ocean with the main objective of observing and recording the 1769 transit of Venus across the Sun to determine the distance of the Earth from the Sun. Cook, aged 39, was promoted to lieutenant for this command.

On August 25, 1768, James Cook embarked on his First Pacific Voyage aboard the HMS Endeavour, setting sail to explore the Pacific region.

In 1768, Lieutenant James Cook embarked on his first voyage of discovery aboard the HM Bark Endeavour to observe the transit of Venus over the sun's disc in Tahiti. He also had secret orders that would eventually lead him to New Zealand.

On November 13, 1768, Captain Cook was in Rio de Janeiro.

Captain Cook became the first known European explorer to chart the coasts of Australia in April 1770.

On April 19, 1770, James Cook discovered the southeast coast of Australia during his voyage on the HMS Endeavour. He successfully navigated the Great Barrier Reef and the Torres Strait, showcasing his exceptional navigational skills.

On April 20, 1770, Captain Cook and his crew sighted the eastern seaboard of Australia at Point Hicks during their exploration voyage.

On April 28, 1770, James Cook discovered Botany Bay.

Cook and his crew stayed at Botany Bay for a week, collecting water, timber, fodder, and botanical specimens. Cook sought to establish relations with the Indigenous population without success.

On 11 June 1770, a mishap occurred when Endeavour ran aground on a shoal of the Great Barrier Reef, delaying the voyage for almost seven weeks for repairs.

In 1770, Captain Cook's ship, the Endeavour, crashed onto the Great Barrier Reef. The incident resulted in the loss of 30 crew members due to disease and starvation out of the 94 men on board. This event forced Cook to rely on his other ship, the Adventure.

At about midday on 22 August 1770, Cook and his crew reached the northernmost tip of the coast and named it York Cape (now Cape York).

On June 12, 1771, Captain James Cook returned to England in the ship Endeavour after a two-year and eleven-month exploration journey. He covered around 30,000 miles and charted over 5,000 miles of coastline during this expedition.

In 1772, Captain Cook returns to Whitby for a visit, which turns out to be his last. He also visits his father's home at Great Ayton for the final time. Later in the same year, the family sells the cottage, which was eventually transported to Australia in 1934 and now stands in Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne. Cook's father relocates to Redcar to live with his daughter Margaret Fleck.

James Cook commenced his Second Pacific Voyage on July 13, 1772, aboard the HMS Resolution, continuing his exploration of the Pacific.

In 1773, Captain Cook and his ship 'Resolution' crossed the Antarctic Circle for the first time in history, marking a significant milestone in exploration.

After 3 years and 18 days, the ship 'Resolution' returns to England with Captain Cook on board. Cook is welcomed by King George III after becoming the first man to circumnavigate the world in both directions.

James Cook's voyage towards the South Pole and around the world was documented in two volumes published in 1777. The expedition was carried out in His Majesty's Ships, the Resolution and the Adventure, during the years 1772-1775.

In April 1778, Captain Cook turned northwards and discovered Nootka Sound and British Columbia while searching for an exit from the North West Passage.

On August 8, 1778, the ship 'Resolution' under Captain Cook's command maintained a northerly heading to reach Alaska, where they rested in what Cook charted as Anchorage Bay.

Captain Cook departs from Kealakekua Bay, but has to come back due to a damaged foremast on the ship 'Resolution'.

After the theft of a ship's cutter, Captain Cook goes ashore to retrieve it. However, the shore party is attacked by armed warriors, leading to Cook being fatally clubbed and stabbed to death.

Captain Charles Clerke, who assumed leadership of the expedition after Cook's death, died of tuberculosis on 22 August 1779. John Gore then took command of the Resolution and the expedition.

In January 1780, the news of James Cook's death finally reaches England.

The expedition led by Captain James Cook, which ended tragically with Cook's death, returned home to England in October 1780. James King completed Cook's account of the voyage after their arrival.

George Carter painted the largest oil painting in the Library's collection depicting the death of Captain James Cook in 1781. This painting is a significant historical artwork.

Mrs Elizabeth Cook, aged 94, passed away in Clapham, Surrey. She was the wife of Captain James Cook, a world renowned explorer and navigator.

In 1894, the Australian Museum acquired the 'Cook Collection' from the Government of New South Wales. The collection consisted of 115 artefacts collected during Captain Cook's three voyages in the Pacific Ocean, along with related documents and memorabilia.

In 1923, the Australian Government bought the Endeavour journal of James Cook and four other Cook documents at a Sotheby's sale in London. These documents were previously owned by the Bolckow family in Yorkshire.