Literary and historical notes of a young technician. James Cook short biography

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The name of the famous cartographer and discoverer is associated with many amazing stories. James Cook was born in 1728 in Hawaii to a Scottish farmhand. After leaving school, he was hired as a cabin boy on the Hercules, where he received his first experience of sailing on the high seas. In 1755, Cook entered the British Navy. There he quickly climbed the career ladder, participated in battles. After diligent study, James Cook mastered the profession of a cartographer and went on sea voyages with only one goal - to discover new lands. So what did James Cook discover?

The contribution of the discoverer to history

On instructions from the British Admiralty, Cook set sail around the world three times. In addition, participating in the Seven Years' War, the cartographer completed one important assignment for the British Crown. He explored the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in detail and also mapped the exact boundaries of Quebec. Thanks to his efforts, the British managed to capture these lands with the least losses. And England has significantly expanded its zone of influence on the world stage.

Cook's first expedition began in 1768. The official goal of the expedition was designated as observing the passage of Venus through the disk of the Sun. In fact, the expedition members were looking for the southern mainland. After all, England needed new territories for colonization.

New Zealand and Australia were poorly explored by Europeans at the time. Therefore, great discoveries were expected from this expedition. The Endeavor left Plymouth and reached Tahiti on April 10, 1768. It was in Tahiti that the researchers made all the necessary astronomical measurements. James Cook treated the local population very tactfully, and no one made any obstacles to the team.

Then the course was set for New Zealand. To repair the ship, sailors needed a quiet bay, which was found by Cook himself between two islands of the archipelago. Today this place is still called Cook's Inlet.

After a short break, the Endeavor headed for the shores of Northern Australia. There, the discoverers were in trouble. The ship ran aground and was under repair for a long time. After it was repaired, the expedition sailed another 4,000 km to the east by sea. Where they discovered the strait between New Guinea and Australia. Thanks to the opening of the strait, the world learned that these lands are not a single continent.

In 1771 the ship reached Indonesia. Due to the climatic features of the country, the entire Endeavor team fell ill with malaria. Later, dysentery was added to this ailment. People were dying very quickly. And Cook decided to interrupt the expedition by sending Endeavor home.

A year later (in 1772) Cook again stepped on the deck of the Resolution ship. Adventure, the second ship of the expedition, was also sent to sail to discover the southern mainland. It was not possible to discover Antarctica during this trip, but new islands of the Pacific Ocean appeared on the map.

In addition to what James Cook discovered in the geographical sense, he also made one medical discovery. He understood the importance of vitamins in the diet of sailors. Fruits and vegetables saved from scurvy all those who fell ill with it on the second round-the-world trip. The islands of New Caledonia and the island of South Georgia were the main discoveries of the second expedition.

To study these lands, the Resolution crossed the Antarctic Circle twice. But the ice blocking the road did not allow Cook to swim further. When food supplies ran out, the ships set off back to England.

To open a sea route from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean - such a task seemed difficult even for the most experienced sailors. But Cook is not used to giving up. And in 1776 he went on the ship "Resolution", accompanied by the ship "Discovery" to Pacific Ocean.

During this expedition, the Hawaiian Islands were found. In 1778, the ships again moved to the coast of North America, but got into a storm and were forced to return to the bay in Hawaii. This decision was fatal for Cook and several members of the team. Relations with the natives, which did not work out from the very beginning, escalated even more after the return of the ships.

The local population has repeatedly tried to rob members of the expedition. And after one such attempt, the crew of the ship, where James Cook worked, entered into a fierce battle with the natives. Many were taken prisoner and eaten by the natives. Cook was one of them. The date of his death is February 14, 1779.

After the death of Cook, the ship's crew attacked the camps of the tribes, driving the natives into the mountains. Members of the expedition demanded to give them the remains of the dead. In the end, they were given parts from the bodies that the sailors buried at sea, according to their customs. The ships then headed for the British Isles.

The goal of the third expedition was not fully achieved. Despite the zeal and efforts of Cook, it was not possible to open the Pacific route. And it is difficult to give a simple answer to the question of what James Cook discovered. The navigator mapped many islands and archipelagos, made several scientific discoveries. With diligence he found new lands for the English government. He studied the life of various tribes. And he dreamed that someday the southern mainland would be found by the discoverers.

James was born on October 27, 1728 in the town of Marton, Yorkshire, England. Cook began attending school when his family moved to Great Ayton. After studying for five years, he worked on his father's farm. And at the age of 18, James becomes a cabin boy.

James Cook's first expedition was from London to Newcastle. All your own free time Cook spent self-education: he studied maps, astronomy, geography and mathematics. In 1755 he began to serve in the Royal Navy, preferring hard work sailor of the proposed position of captain on a private vessel. Participated in the Seven Years' War, and then withdrew from the fighting, but continued to make maps. Behind successful work was appointed captain of the Newfoundland.

If we consider a brief biography of Cook, then in 1762 his return to England followed. There he married Elizabeth Butts.

But the greatest achievements of Cook are considered to be his three travels, during which the maps were significantly refined. The first round-the-world expedition took place from 1768 to 1771. Cook, as an experienced sailor, was appointed captain of the only ship on the expedition - the Endeavor. In April 1769, the team arrived in Tahiti, where they established peaceful relations with the natives. Cook made astronomical observations there. Then the team headed to New Zealand, and then to the coast of Australia. The ship was damaged by reefs, but the captain continued to move all the way to the strait with New Guinea. Having repaired the ship in Indonesia, Cook went to Cape Town and then to London.

Second trip around the world D. Cook took place from 1772 to 1775. This time, two ships were allocated - "Resolution", "Adventure". The expedition began on July 13, 1772. In January 1773, the Antarctic Circle was crossed for the first time in the world. During one of the storms, the two ships lost sight of each other, and met only in Charlotte Bay. Then the team visited Tahiti, Friendship Islands. Near New Zealand, the ships parted again, so that the Adventure returned to London, and Cook went on. He crossed the Antarctic Circle, visited Easter Island, the Marquesas, Tahiti, the Friendship Islands, discovered New Caledonia, South Georgia and returned to London.

Then, from 1776 to 1779, Cook's third voyage took place. On two ships, Resolution and Discovery, the expedition began in the summer of 1776. The team discovered Kerguelen Island. Then the expedition arrived in Tasmania, New Zealand, on the Friendship Islands. After that, in the biography of James Cook, Christmas Island, Hawaii was discovered. The ships bypassed the western part of North America, reached Alaska. After crossing the Arctic Circle, they ended up in the Chukchi Sea. Turning around, the team arrived at the Aleutian Islands, and then to the Hawaiian Islands. There, the attitude of the Hawaiians towards the sailors became openly hostile, and on February 14, 1779, despite the fact that Cook tried his best to maintain peaceful relations, he was killed in one of the skirmishes.

The English navy sailor was born on October 27, 1728 in the town of Marton, was a famous discoverer, cartographer, explorer and captain of the Navy. He headed 3 largest marine expeditions to explore the World Ocean, which were around the world. Thanks to his knowledge, as well as talent and accuracy in compiling maps, many navigators used his work even before the second half of XIX century. He was famous for his friendly and peaceful attitude towards the indigenous people of the territories he developed. He knew how to deal with a terrible disease at that time, scurvy, from which many sailors died. Thanks to Cook, the death rate from the disease was reduced to almost zero.

Childhood and youth

Born into a poor family. His father was a Scottish farmhand, with a very small salary. In addition to James, the family had 4 more children, so the family had a hard time. In 1736, the whole family moved to the village of Great Ayton, where the youngest Cook was sent to school (today it has been turned into a museum). He studied there for 5 years, after which he began to actively help his father and got a job on a farm. After a short period of time, he became a manager. His maritime career began at the age of 18, when he was hired as a cabin boy for the Hercules collier. The greatest fame to the discoverer was brought by 3 round-the-world trips during which not only the maps were largely refined, but also new lands and islands were discovered.

First round the world expedition

The first round-the-world expedition took place in the period from 1768-1771. During this period, he was already an experienced navigator, so he was appointed captain of the Endeavor, which was the only ship on the expedition. The most significant discovery was a visit to the island of Tahiti, where the team established friendly relations with the local natives. For a long time during his stay on the island, James carried out his astronomical research, thanks to which he made maps with amazing accuracy and laid routes. After sailing, the team went to New Zealand, and then reached the coast of Australia. Historically, it is considered that the banner of the discoverer of Australia belongs to the great English explorer. However, this is not entirely true, because long before him, the ship of the Dutch expedition reached the shores of the smallest continent. However, Cook reached the shores of Australia and proclaimed the land the property of the British Empire.

Second round-the-world expedition

A new series of discoveries by the great traveler occurred in the period from 1772 to 1775. This time, 2 ships participated in the expedition: Resolution and Adventure. The most significant event was the crossing of the Antarctic Circle. His team was the first to succeed. An interesting fact is that during a severe storm, the two ships lost sight of each other and met only in Charlotte Bay. Then the ships again visited the island of Tahiti, the Friendship Islands and New Zealand, near the coast of which they dispersed. Adventure returned to London, and James moved on. During further research, he managed to discover New Caledonia, South Georgia, and only after that he returned to London.

Third round-the-world expedition

In the period from 1776 to 1779, the third round-the-world expedition took place in which 2 ships again took part: the already well-known Resolution and Discovery. The voyage began in the summer of 1776, during which the team discovered Kerguelen Island. After that, the expedition continued and the ships arrived in Tasmania, then visited New Zealand and Friendship Island. During the third round-the-world expedition, Cook managed to discover Christmas Island and the Hawaiian Islands. The ships also bypassed the western part of North America and reached Alaska. On the way back, his ship again visited the Hawaiian Islands. However, the attitude of the locals changed to a belligerent one, and despite all of James's attempts to resolve the conflict, he was killed in one of the skirmishes.

Due to heavy financial situation family was given as an apprentice to the shopkeeper Sanderson, who lived in the small seaside town of States; in the evenings he eagerly listened to the sailors' stories about long voyages. In 1746, he left Sanderson and took a job at Whitby on a coal ship, plying mainly between Newcastle and London. Sailed also to Ireland, Norway and Baltic Sea. Received a certificate of assistant captain. He had the opportunity to become a skipper of one of the merchant ships, but with the start of the Seven Years' War of 1755–1763, he enlisted as a simple sailor in the royal navy. Fought in the American theater of operations. In 1757 he received an officer's rank and became commander of the Pembroke ship. In 1759 he distinguished himself at the siege of Quebec; risking his life, explored the fairway of the river. St. Lawrence in close proximity to the French positions. At the end of the war, he was engaged in compiling a map of the shores of about. Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Their accuracy and detail earned him a reputation as an accomplished topographer and cartographer with the Admiralty and the Royal Geographical Society.

First trip around the world (August 1768 - July 1771).

In 1766, the Admiralty instructed him to organize a scientific expedition to the Pacific Ocean to observe the passage of Venus through the disk of the Sun and calculate the distance from the Earth to the Sun; The expedition also had to find out whether New Zealand, discovered in 1642 by A. Tasman, was part of the hypothetical Southern Continent. Sailed in August 1768 from Plymouth on the ship "Endeavor" (85 people), crossed the Atlantic Ocean, rounded Cape Horn, went into the Pacific Ocean and reached the island of Otaiti (Tahiti), where he completed the astronomical task of the expedition (June 3, 1769). Compiled geographical description Tahiti and neighboring islands; named them after the Royal geographical society about-you Society. Heading southwest, October 7, 1769 approached New Zealand, sailed around it (In October 1769 - March 1770) and determined that it represents two big islands, not associated with any mainland; declared it the property of the British Crown. Deciding to return home through Indian Ocean headed for Australia. April 19, 1770 reached its eastern shore, gave it the name of New South Wales and proclaimed an English possession. rounding northern tip Australia (m. York), proved that it is separated from New Guinea by a wide strait (Torres Strait), thereby making the discovery of L.V. de Torres (1606) kept secret by the Spaniards (1606) a pan-European property. October 11 arrived in Batavia (modern Jakarta); a third of the crew died there from malaria and dysentery. Crossed the Indian Ocean, passed m. Good Hope and about. St. Helena and in July 1771 returned to England.

Second trip around the world (July 1772 - July 1775).

In the autumn of 1771, the Admiralty instructed D. Cook to find the Southern Continent in the still unexplored parts of the Southern Hemisphere. July 13, 1772 sailed from Plymouth on the ship Resolution, accompanied by the ship Adventure (Captain T. Ferno), at the end of October arrived in Kapstadt (modern Cape Town), and on November 23 headed south. Already on December 12, solid ice blocked his path, but he continued to search. January 17, 1773 for the first time in history crossed the Antarctic Circle; nevertheless, he was forced to turn north and on March 25 approached the shores of New Zealand. In the summer of 1773 he visited the islands of Tahiti and Tonga and discovered the Harvey Islands (Cook Islands). On November 27, he again undertook a voyage to the south, in mid-December he came across a continuous line of ice, on January 30, 1774 he reached the southernmost point of his travels - 71 ° 10 "south latitude, but he again had to retreat. On the way to New Zealand, he visited Easter Island , the Marquesas Islands and the New Hybrids archipelago, discovered the islands of New Caledonia, Niue and Norfolk, made their detailed geographical description.In November 1774 he left New Zealand, crossed the Pacific Ocean along 55 ° south latitude, in December reached Earth, at the end of January 1775 discovered the South Sandwich Islands and the island of South Georgia and returned to England on July 13, having lost only one sailor during the trip. southern continent turned out to be a big question; if there was one, then at the very pole under blocks of ice.

Received the rank of post-captain; was awarded the gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society and admitted to its membership. Gained great fame and prestige in Europe.

Third trip around the world (July 1776 - February 1779).

The purpose of the third trip was to search for a northwestern passage from Atlantic Ocean to Quiet. On July 12, 1776, he sailed from Plymouth on the Resolution, escorted by the Discovery ship (Captain C. Clerk), on October 18, 1777, anchored off Kapstadt, headed southeast on November 30, and on December 12 discovered the Prince Edward Islands. He visited Tasmania, New Zealand, Tonga, Tahiti and the Society Islands in 1777. In December 1777 he headed north, on January 18, 1778 landed on the Hawaiian Islands, which he named the Sandwich Islands in honor of his patron, the Count Sandwich, in March came to the North American coast in the area of ​​present-day Oregon, sailed along the coasts of Canada and Alaska, passed the Bering Strait, crossed the Arctic Circle and advanced to 70 ° 44 "north latitude, where he was stopped solid ice. He turned south and in mid-January 1779 reached the Hawaiian Islands. He died on February 14, 1779 as a result of a skirmish with the natives in the bay of Kealakeakua on the west coast of about. Hawaii, where he was buried. His diaries, saturated with rich geographical and ethnographic information, were repeatedly published in various European languages.

Date of birth: October 27, 1728
Date of death: February 14, 1779
Birthplace: Yorkshire, England

James Cook - famous traveler. James Cook(James Cook), was one of the most daring sailors of his time. Traveled, discovered new lands and compiled geographic Maps.

James was born into a poor working-class family. After studying for five years at school, he was sent as a worker on a farm. Work on the ground was not particularly attractive young man, and at the age of 18 he became a hired cabin boy on a ship carrying coal. Cook's owners were the Walker brothers, with whom he worked for about three years.

While working, the young researcher was constantly engaged in self-education, studied the basics of such sciences as navigation, astronomy, mathematics, geography. He did all this on his own, with only books as assistants.

After several years working for the Walkers, Cook was asked to become the captain of the Friendship. Cook refused this lucrative offer, deciding to devote himself to the navy. The young sailor had to start all over again, from the position of a simple sailor. He hired him on a warship with more than fifty guns. Experience in the merchant marine did not go unnoticed and a month after the start of work, Cook became the boatswain of the Eagle ship.

Since the beginning of the Seven Years' War, the fleet has been actively involved in naval battles. "Eagle" is no exception - he is a participant in the blockade of the French coast. He also took part in naval battles. After one of them, with the French "Duke of Aquitaine", the ship goes for repairs.

After two years of practice on a warship, Cook easily passes the Sailing Master exam and moves on to a larger vessel.

During the hostilities in the Bay of Biscay, Cook performs an extremely difficult task related to cartographic surveys. Cook successfully completed it, which was one of the reasons for appointing him to the round-the-world expedition.
After continuing to work at the mouth of the Canadian St. Lawrence River, Cooke gained invaluable experience in mapping and in 1762 returned to England.

In the same place, the marriage with E. Butts soon took place. The couple subsequently had six children.

In 1767, Cook became the main contender for the post of leader of the expedition. The declared goal was astronomical research, but in fact, England needed new lands. In order to discover them, an expedition was sent. The ship was specially converted for her. The Endeavor set sail for uncharted shores in August 1768.

Eight months later, the ship approached the shores of Tahiti. Cook was one of the few travelers at the time who treated the natives with respect. He tried to avoid violence, murders, and this was noted by the locals with gratitude.
This went on exactly until the time when two sailors from the ship deserted. Only pressure on the elders helped bring them back to the ship.

Nevertheless, one of the local leaders accompanied the team off the coast of New Zealand. There were frequent and bloody skirmishes with local population.

The hostilities did not prevent the opening of the Cook Strait, which separates New Zealand.

In 1770 the ship reached the east coast of Australia. There it was discovered great amount previously undescribed plants. Since then, the bay has been called "Botanical".

Soon problems began - the ship was damaged and practically could not continue sailing. The crew members somehow patched up the holes, and Cook decided to continue exploring the coast along the Great Barrier Reef. The result was the opening of the strait separating Australia and New Guinea. Through the Strait, Cook led the ship to Indonesia. scurvy, malaria and intestinal infections led to the death of most of the team. In 1771 the ship returned to England.

A year later, the second journey began. Its purpose was to thoroughly investigate South Seas. It was desirable to do this before the French. Two ships of 1772 set off on an opal voyage. Six months later, they crossed the Antarctic Circle for the first time. After that, the storm separated the ships and they met after a long time already in Charlotte Bay.

This was followed by a visit to Tahiti, Friendship Islands, parking in Charlotte Bay. The way back lay through Easter Island, and again Tahiti. New Caledonia was discovered in 1774. Three years after the start of the journey, Cook returned to England.

Less than a year later, the two ships again went to the open sea. In 1777, Christmas Island was discovered, and a year later, Hawaii. Then the path lay to the northern latitudes, where the Bering Strait was described.

The next destination was the Hawaiian Islands. Relations with the natives did not work out, and on February 14, 1779, Cook was killed in a skirmish with the local population. His remains were buried at sea.

Achievements of James Cook:

Participated as a leader in three round the world expeditions
During the expeditions, new species of plants and animals were described, the customs of the inhabitants of new lands were described.
Made many discoveries in the field of geography, astronomy, biology and botany

Dates from the biography of James Cook:

1728 was born in England, in the village of Marton
1736 began schooling
1746 began working as a cabin boy
1755 left work in the merchant marine and moved to the navy
1762 began cartographic research in North America
1771 appointed commander of the expedition
1775 returned from the second expedition
1776 third expedition
1779 died at the hands of aborigines

Interesting James Cook Facts:

One of the first explorers who tried to be friendly to the inhabitants of the new lands, bartering and buying what they needed, rather than taking them by force and killing them.
Some of the maps compiled by Cook's team remained in use until the end of the 19th century.
The first of the captains who learned how to deal with mortality among crew members from a lack of vitamin C.
Used maps compiled by the Aleuts and Russian industrialists to describe the lands between America and Eurasia.
Available big number monuments and obelisks in all parts of the world dedicated to Cook.

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