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
On arrival at Plymouth, Cook found that orders had been given to the
stores that he was to be supplied with whatever he thought necessary, but
the only things required were larger coppers for the distilling
apparatus, the ones they had on board having proved far too small. The
officers and crew were paid up to 28th May, and the petty officers and
men also received two months' advance to enable them to provide
necessaries and extras for the voyage. Cook remarks:
"The payment of six months' wages to the officers, and crews of these two
sloops, being nearly all they had due, was an indulgence never before
granted to any of His Majesty's Ships."
Cook now received his final orders, which he had assisted to draw up--in
fact, "nothing was inserted that I did not fully comprehend and approve
of." He was to call at Madeira for a supply of wine; to sail for the Cape
of Good Hope and there refresh his men; then to look for Cape
Circumcision, placed by M. Bouvet in 54 degrees South, 11 degrees 20
minutes East, to determine if it formed part of a continent, and if so to
explore it, following the coast and endeavouring to get as near to the
South Pole as he could without endangering his ships or crews. Should
Cape Circumcision prove to be an island, or should he be unable to find
it, he was to proceed as far south as he thought there was a probability
of meeting with land, and then steering east, circumnavigate the world in
as high a latitude as he could. In case of meeting with land he was to
explore as far as time would permit. When the season rendered it unsafe
to remain in high latitudes he was to retire to the north to refit and
recruit, and at a proper season to return to the south. In any unforeseen
circumstances he was to use his own discretion, and if the Resolution
should be lost, he was to prosecute his voyage in the Adventure. A copy
of these orders was given to Captain Furneaux, and in case of separation
the following rendezvous were named: Madeira, Port Praya in the island of
St. Iago, the Cape of Good Hope, and New Zealand.
FORSTER SAVES SHIP!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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