The Life of Captain James Cook, the CircumnavigatorKitson, Arthur
History
The Life of Captain James Cook, the Circumnavigator
Kitson, Arthur
Cook, James, 1728-1779; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Geographers -- Great Britain -- Biography
As soon as it was known that Mr. Banks had withdrawn, Mr. John Reinhold
Forster, a German of some scientific reputation, applied for the position
of naturalist for the voyage, and, through the interest of Lord Sandwich,
was successful. He was to receive the 4000 pounds granted by Parliament
for Dr. Lynd, and was to pay all expenses, except ship's allowance of
food, and provide all necessary instruments. He was accompanied by his
son as assistant, a youth of about twenty years, who afterwards attained
some note by his writings and translations. Messrs. Wales and Bayley were
appointed astronomers by the Board of Longitude, with instructions to
take and compare observations at every possible opportunity, and to take
under their special charge the timepieces which were being carried on the
two ships for the purpose of testing their accuracy and capabilities in
assisting in ascertaining the longitude. Two of these instruments, made
by Arnold, were placed in Mr. Bayley's charge on the Adventure, and two,
one by Arnold, and the other by Kendal on Harrison's principle, under the
care of Mr. Wales on the Resolution. Great precautions were taken to
prevent any accident or tampering with these instruments; they were kept
in boxes having three locks, the keys were held one by the Captain, one
by the first lieutenant, and the third by the astronomer, so they could
not even be wound up except in the presence of all three. William Hodges,
a painter of repute, was appointed as artist, and his pictures were to
become the property of the Admiralty.
The celebrated Dr. Joseph Priestley, at that time minister at Mill Hill
Chapel, Leeds, had been invited by Mr. Banks to accompany him as
astronomer, and his congregation had undertaken to guarantee his position
on his return; but the Board of Longitude took objection to his religious
views, and so his application was withdrawn.
CHAPTER 13. 1772 TO 1774. SECOND VOYAGE.
Saying goodbye to his family on 21st June, Cook, accompanied by Mr.
Wales, left London for Sheerness, and the next day dropped down to the
Nore. The Resolution was now drawing only fifteen feet ten inches of
water instead of seventeen, a very satisfactory improvement. She was
given a good trial on a wind, and was found "to answer exceeding well."
On 3rd July they arrived at Plymouth, having been boarded the day before
by Lord Sandwich and Captain Pallisser, who were on a tour of inspection,
and Cook had the pleasure of giving them a satisfactory account of his
ship: "I had not one fault to allege."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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