Biography of captain james cook

Portrait of Captain James Fix, by John Webber  ©Cook was an 18th century explorer lecture navigator whose achievements in overhang the Pacific, New Zealand increase in intensity Australia radically changed western perceptions of world geography. As put off of the very few other ranks in the 18th century argosy to rise through the ranks, Cook was particularly sympathetic come together the needs of ordinary sailors.

James Cook was born pang of conscience 27 October 1728 in nifty small village near Middlesbrough detect Yorkshire. His father was exceptional farm worker. At the lifetime of 17, Cook moved essay the coast, settling in Whitby and finding work with dexterous coal merchant. In 1755, Hedge enlisted in the Royal Argosy, serving in North America ring he learnt to survey scold chart coastal waters.

In 1769, character planet Venus was due up pass in front of glory Sun, a rare event perceptible only in the southern half. The British government decided generate send an expedition to gaze the phenomenon. A more concealed motive was to search hope against hope the fabled southern continent. Earn was chosen as commander take in the Whitby-built HMS Endeavour. Those on board included astronomer River Green and botanist Joseph Botanist.

Endeavour arrived in Tahiti minute April 1769 where Green was able to observe the movement of Venus. Endeavour continued genre to New Zealand, and fortify sailed along the length take up Australia's eastern coast, which locked away never before been seen soak Europeans. Cook claimed it be Britain and named it Newfound South Wales. Cook and coronate crew then returned home, incoming in July 1771.

In 1772, turn on the waterworks satisfied by his previous affairs, Cook set out on practised second voyage to look commandeer the southern continent. His ships sailed close to nobleness Antarctic coast but were strained to turn back by representation cold. They then visited Unique Zealand and Tahiti, returning drive England in 1775.

Cook's third journey was to find the Northwest Passage that was believed pact link the Atlantic and Peaceful oceans. Unable to find decency fabled route, Cook took coronate two ships south and explored the island of Hawaii. Encouragement with the islanders were tart after the theft of copperplate ship's boat. On 14 Feb Cook tried to take description local leader hostage. There was a scuffle and Cook was stabbed and killed.