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Captain Cook's Journal During His First Voyage Round the World

James Cook

Cook did more, incomparably more, than any other navigator to discover new lands. This was only accomplished by dint of hard work; and yet his men suffered less than in any ships, British or foreign, or similar expeditions. Though his tracks were in new and unknown waters, we never hear of starvation; he always manages to have an abundant supply of water. The completeness and accuracy of his accounts and charts are no less remarkable. M. de La Perouse, one of the foremost of the great French navigators, told Captain Phillip, the founder of the Colony of New South Wales, that "Cook had left him nothing but to admire." This was all but literally true; wherever Cook went he finished his work, according to the requirements of navigation of his time. He never sighted a land but he determined its dimensions, its shape, its position, and left true guides for his successors. His charts are still for some parts unsuperseded, and his recorded observations still save us from hasty and incorrect alterations desired by modern navigators. Well may Englishmen be proud that this greatest of navigators was their countryman. PERSONS WHO LEFT ENGLAND IN H.M.S. ENDEAVOUR, 26TH AUGUST, 1768. Those not otherwise disposed of were paid off on 1st August, 1771. COLUMN 1: NAME. COLUMN 2: RANK OR RATING. COLUMN 3: DISPOSAL. COLUMN 4: DATE. James Cook : Lieutenant in Command. Zachary Hicks : Lieutenant : Died : 25 May, 1771. John Gore : Lieutenant. Robert Molineux : Master : Died : 15 April, 1771. Rich. Pickersgill : Master's Mate, Master, 16 April, 1771. Chas. Clerke : Master's Mate, A.B., 20 August, 1768, Master's Mate, 17 April, 1771, Lieutenant, 26 May, 1771. Francis Wilkinson : A.B., Master's Mate, 20 August, 1768. John Bootie : Midshipman : Died : 4 February, 1771. Jonathan Monkhouse : Midshipman : Died : 6 February, 1771. Patrick Saunders : Midshipman, A.B., 24 May, 1770 : Deserted : 25 December, 1770. Isaac Smith : A.B., Midshipman, 24 May, 1770, Master's Mate, 27 May, 1771. William Harvey : Lieutenant's Servant, Midshipman, 8 February, 1771. Jos. Magra : A.B., Midshipman, 27 May, 1771. Isaac Manley : Master's Servant, Midshipman, 5 February, 1771. William B. Monkhouse : Surgeon : Died : 5 November, 1770. William Perry : Surgeon's Mate, Surgeon, 6 November, 1770. Rich. Orton : Clerk. Stephen Forwood : Gunner. John Gathray : Boatswain : Died : 4 February, 1771. John Satterly : Carpenter : Died : 12 February, 1771. John Thompson : Cook : Died : 31 January, 1771. Sam Evans : Quarter Master, Boatswain, 6 February, 1771. Alex. Weir : Quarter Master : Drowned : 14 September, 1768. Thos. Hardman : Boatswain's Mate, A.B., 26 March, 1769, Sailmaker, 2 February, 1771. John Reading : Boatswain's Mate : Died : 29 August, 1769. Benjamin Jordan : Carpenter's Mate : Died : 31 January, 1771. John Ravenhill : Sailmaker : Died : 27 January, 1771. George Nowell : A.B., Carpenter, 14 February, 1771. Isaac Parker : A.B., Boatswain's Mate, 26 November, 1769. Robt. Anderson : A.B., Quarter Master, 16 September, 1768. James Gray : A.B., Quarter Master, 6 February, 1771. Robert Taylor : Armourer : Died : 1 August, 1771. Rich. Hutchins : A.B., Boatswain's Mate, 1 September, 1769. Joseph Childs : A.B., Cook, 1 February, 1771. Peter Flowers : A.B. : Drowned : 2 December, 1768. Timothy Rearden : A.B. : Died : 24 December, 1770. John Rainsay : A.B. William Dawson : A.B. Francis Haite : A.B. : Died : 1 February, 1771. Sam Jones. : A.B. James Nicholson : A.B. : Died : 31 January, 1771. Forby Sutherland : A.B. : Died : 30 April, 1770. Thomas Simmonds : A.B. Rich. Hughes : A.B., Carpenter's Mate, 14 February, 1771. Sam Moody : A.B. : Died : 31 January, 1771. Isaac Johnson : A.B. Robt. Stainsby : A.B. William Collett : A.B. Archibald Wolfe : A.B. : Died : 31 January, 1771. Matthew Cox : A.B. Chas. Williams : A.B. Alex. Simpson : A.B.. : Died : 21 February, 1771. Thos. Knight : A.B. Hy. Stevens : A.B. Thos. Jones (2) : A.B. Antony Ponto : A.B. Jeh. Dozey : A.B. : Died : 7 April, 1771. Jas. Tunley : A.B. Mich. Littleboy : A.B. John Goodjohn : A.B. John Woodworth : A.B. : Died : 24 December, 1770. William Peckover : A.B. Robt. Littleboy : A.B. Henry Jeffs : A.B. : Died : 27 February, 1771. William Howson : Captain's Servant : Died : 30 June, 1771. Nathl. Morey : Lieutenant's Servant. Thos. Jones : Surgeon's Servant : Discharged : 5 November, 1770. Ed. Terrell : Carpenter's Servant, A.B. 1 September, 1769. Thos. Jordan : Boatswain's Servant. Thos. Matthews : Cook's Servant. Danl. Roberts : Gunner's Servant : Died. : 2 February, 1771. John Thurmand (Pressed at Madeira) : A.B. : Died : 3 February, 1771. MARINES. John Edgecombe : Sergeant R.M. John Trusslove : Corporal : Died : 24 January, 1771. Thos. Rossiter : Drummer. William Judge : Private. Hy. Paul : Private. Danl. Preston : Private : Died : 16 February, 1771. William Wiltshire : Private. William Greenslade : Private : Drowned : 6 April, 1769. Saml. Gibson : Private, Corporal, 26 January, 1771. Thos. Dunster : Private : Died : 26 January, 1771. Clement Webb : Private. John Bowles : Private. CIVILIANS AND STAFF. Joseph Banks, Esquire. Charles Solander : Naturalist. Charles Green : Astronomer : Died : 29 January, 1771. John Reynolds : Artist : Died : 18 December, 1770. Sydney Parkinson : Artist : Died : 26 January, 1771. Alexander Buchan : Artist : Died : 17 April, 1769. Herman Sporing : Died : -- : 24 January, 1771. James Roberts : Servant. Peter Briscoe : Servant. Thomas Richmond : Negro Servant : Frozen to death : 16 January, 1769. George Dorlton : Negro Servant : Frozen to death : 16 January, 1769. TOTAL LOSS. 1768: Drowned 2. 1769: Drowned 1. 1769: Frozen 2. 1769: Died 2. 1770: Died 5. 1771: Died 26. Total: 38. *** A JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF HIS MAJESTY'S BARK ENDEAVOUR, ON A VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD, BY LIEUTENANT JAMES COOK, COMMANDER, COMMENCING THE 25TH OF MAY, 1768. EXPLANATION (FROM JOURNAL). IT is necessary to premise by way of explanation, that in this Journal (except while we lay at George's Island) the day is supposed to begin and end at noon, as for instance, Friday the 27th May, began at noon on Thursday 26th, and ended the following noon according to the natural day, and all the courses and bearings are the true courses and bearings according to the Globe, and not by Compass. The longitude is counted West from the meridian of Greenwich where no other place is particularly mentioned. The proportional length of the log-line to the half minute glass, by which the ships run was measured, is as thirty seconds is to thirty feet. While the ship lay in port or was coasting in sight of land, or sailing in narrow seas, this Journal is not kept in the usual form, but the degrees of Latitude and Longitude the ship passes over are put down at the top of each page, by which together with the notes in the margin* an easy reference will be had to the Chart. (* These notes in the margin have not been printed. ED.) CHAPTER 1. ENGLAND TO RIO JANEIRO. REMARKABLE OCCURRENCES ON BOARD HIS MAJESTY'S BARK ENDEAVOUR. 1768. [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, were 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 saild 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. Wednesday, 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. Thursday, 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 on board 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