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
"customary for men to take leave of their friends before they go out of
the world; for I can hardly think myself in it, so long as I am deprived
of having any connection with the civilised part of it, and this will
soon be my case for two years at least."
He at the end speaks of his ships, both "well provided and well mann'd,"
and of the Resolution he says: "I can assure you I never set foot in a
finer ship."
THE FIRST ICE.
On 22nd November they sailed for the south, and soon began to feel the
colder climate; the warm jackets and trousers provided by the Admiralty
were served out, extra cuffs to protect the hands being sewn on, and
warmly-lined canvas capes being made. From the 29th till 6th December
they were involved in such a heavy gale that the ships were unable to
carry any sail, and a large quantity of the live stock bought at the Cape
perished from the effects of wet and cold. A scuttle which had been
insecurely fastened was burst open by the sea, and a considerable
quantity of water was taken on board, but beyond necessitating some work
at the pumps and rendering things unpleasantly damp for a time, no damage
was done. It, however, gave Mr. Forster an opportunity for an account of
the terrible danger they were in, and, most wonderful to relate, to speak
well of the conduct of the crew. The ships were carried so far to the
east by the gale, that Cook gave up the idea of searching for Cape
Circumcision for the present. On the 10th the first ice was encountered
in latitude 50 degrees 40 minutes South, and a little higher they were
stopped by a large field, to which they "could see no end, either to the
east, west, or south." This field was followed along to the south-east
for some days, but no opening was found, so being in constant danger from
detached pieces, Cook reluctantly gave orders to change the course to the
northward. About the middle of December signs of scurvy began to show,
and extra precautions were at once taken; fresh wort was served out
regularly to all hands and the worst case received considerable benefit
from the treatment, although "Rob of Lemons and Oranges" (a sort of jelly
made from the fruits) had had no effect. Furneaux reported at this time
that he had cured two very bad cases with the Rob.
SHIPS PARTED.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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