Captain James Cook
General Information Born: October 27, 1728 In Yorkshire, England Died: February 14, 1779 Became a sailor at 18 Joined the British Navy at 27 Very important British explorer, navigator, and cartographer
Captain Cook’s 3 Voyages 1st Voyage: To observe Venus from Tahiti Secret mission: To find Terra Australis Found Australia and claimed the eastern coast for Britain Created the 1st maps of Oceania (Australia & islands) 2nd Voyage: To explore Terra Australis Became first crew ever to circumnavigate the Antarctic Circle Never saw Antarctica, but saw icebergs and freezing fog
Captain Cook’s 3 Voyages 3rd Voyage: To return to Tahiti 1st European to discover Hawaii Named Hawaii Sandwich Islands Explored western coast of North America Went back to Hawaii before heading home Was stabbed and killed trying to get his stolen boats back
Captain Cook’s 3 Voyages
Why is Captain James Cook Remembered? Created the 1st maps of Oceania/South Pacific Claimed Australia for Britain Discovered many Oceania islands