Cook, Captain James

Cook, Captain James (1728-79), sailor, explorer, b. Marton, Yorkshire, England.

Cook started work in a grocer's shop at the age of twelve, but, after six years, left to go to sea. First he sailed in ships carrying coal from Whitby. Then, later, he joined the Royal Navy and, after a time, was given important jobs to do. The first was drawing maps of the St Lawrence River in Canada. These were for use by the armies of General James Wolfe.

Later he was sent on three voyages of discovery in the Pacific Ocean and he explored more of that ocean than any other man.

On the first voyage (1768-71) Cook sailed right round the islands of New Zealand and made the first maps of them. He landed in Australia, which the Dutch called New Holland, and claimed New South Wales for England. In Cook's time, the disease of scurvy killed many sailors at sea. Cook gave his men fresh fruit and vegetables whenever possible. This prevented the disease. On his first long voyage, not one man died of scurvy.

On his second voyage (1772-75) Cook looked for a new continent to the south of Australia.

He discovered the island of South Georgia and he sailed further south than anyone had sailed before him. Then his way was barred by ice.

On his third voyage (1776-79) Cook discovered the islands of Hawaii and went on to try to find a way around the north of America. The route was blocked by ice. Cook returned to Hawaii and was killed there in a fight with the natives.