A third voyage planned--The _Resolution_ and _Discovery_ commissioned--
Expedition sails--Omai taken on board--Touch at the Cape of Good Hope--
Van Diemen's Land--New Zealand--The Friendly or Tonga Islands reached--
Acquaintance formed with Feenon--His treacherous designs--Cook's
determined conduct checks the natives--Visits Otaheite--Omai shows his
true character--Astonishment of natives on seeing horses ridden--Omai
landed at Huaheine with his property--His bad conduct and wretched
fate--Desertions at Ulietea--Live stock landed--Bolabola and other
islands visited--Unknown islands sighted--Cook lands--Natives receive
him with deep respect--Assist the watering party--Name of Sandwich
Islands given to the group--Ships proceed to coast of America--Natives
come off at Nootka Sound--Anchor in Prince William's Sound--The ships
enter Behring's Straits--Turned back by the ice--Anchor off Oonalaska--
Kind behaviour of the Russian authorities--The expedition returns to the
Sandwich Islands--Sail round them, and come to an anchor in Karakavoa
Bay--Vast numbers of natives come off--Cook supposed to be their god
Rono--Honours paid to him--Ceremonies at a temple--Ships put to sea--
Compelled to return--Temper of the natives changed--Attempts to coerce
them--Death of Captain Cook and several men--His character--Captain
Clerke succeeds, and makes peace with the natives--Ships sail in search
of a passage round America--Touch at Saint Peter and Saint Paul--
Courtesy of the Russians--Ships again compelled to return by the ice--
Death of Captain Clerke--Captain Gore takes command--Sails for Macaohigh
price obtained for seal-skins--Commanders of French ships ordered to
treat the _Adventure_ and _Resolution_ as neutrals--Touch at the Cape of
Good Hope--Steer round Scotland, and reach the Nore 4th of October,
1780--Remarks on Captain Cook's discoveries--Notice of his family.
It had long been the desire of scientific men to discover a passage
round the north coast of America between the Atlantic and Pacific. In
1773, Captain Phipps, afterwards Lord Mulgrave, went to Baffin's Bay,
but had returned without making any important discovery. At a dinner at
the house of Lord Sandwich, to which Sir Hugh Palliser, Mr Stevens,
Secretary to the Admiralty, and Captain Cook had been invited, the
importance of the design was under discussion, when Cook, although he
might justly have enjoyed quiet and repose, volunteered to command any
expedition which might be undertaken. His offer was accepted. He was
at once appointed to the command of the _Resolution_, and Captain
Clerke, who had been with him on each of his previous voyages, received
orders to commission the _Discovery_, a vessel of three hundred tons,
fitted out as the _Adventure_ had been. The ships were ready early in
July, 1776. Everything that could tend to preserve the health of the
crews was put on board,--warm clothing, as well as numerous animals,
garden seeds of all sorts, and iron tools to traffic with the natives,
while many things, purely for the benefit of the people, were to be
supplied. The chief object of the voyage was to find a passage from the
Pacific into the Atlantic; but the Society Islands and other spots were
to be visited on the way. The young savage Omai, who had been petted
and made a lion of in London, but whose advancement in civilisation was
entirely superficial, and who had imbibed no religious principles, was
to be restored to his country, under the foolish notion that he would
convey to the islanders of the Pacific an exalted idea of the "greatness
and majesty of the British nation," as a writer of the day expresses it.
A very brief sketch of this voyage can alone be given. The two ships
sailed from Plymouth on the 12th of July, 1776, and reached the Cape of
Good Hope on the 10th of November. Again sailing on the 3rd of
December, they sighted Marion and the Crozet Islands, and coasted along
Kerguelen's Land, which was found to be an island, desolate and sterile
in the extreme. On the 24th of January they anchored in Adventure Bay,
on the coast of Van Diemen's Land. A few natives appeared, whose only
weapons were pointed sticks, and who were black and perfectly naked.
Sailing on the 30th of January, the ships reached Queen Charlotte's
Sound in New Zealand on the 12th of the next month. The natives were
somewhat shy, fearing that Cook had come to punish them for the murder
of the boat's crew belonging to the _Adventure_. Some of those who had
not taken part in it urged him to do so; but, as he remarks, "the
natives of one part were constantly requesting him to destroy their
neighbours--indeed, the tribes were living in a state of warfare among
each other."
Leaving Queen Charlotte's Sound, Mangeea was reached, a pleasing fertile
island, and beyond it another called Wateea, a spot of great beauty,
diversified by hills and plains. The inhabitants were in general
remarkably handsome, and were of the same race as those of the Society
Islands. Thence a course was steered for Hervey Island, seen on the
previous voyage. Though then supposed not to be inhabited, several
canoes came off, carrying men of a somewhat darker hue and a more fierce
and warlike aspect than the natives of Mangeea, though probably of the
same race.
On the passage to the Friendly Islands, the ships called off Palmerston
Island, where scurvy-grass, palm-cabbages, and fodder for the animals
and birds, and cocoa-nuts for the crew, were obtained.
Passing Savage Island on the 1st of May, they dropped anchor at
Annamooka. Here Cook made the acquaintance of Feenon, who, though then
only a tributary, afterwards became lord of the whole group. By his
means an abundant supply of provisions of all sorts was obtained.
Feenon and another chief, Omai, accompanied him to Hapai, belonging to
the same archipelago. Here Cook accompanied them on shore, and a large
concourse of people, numbering three thousand, assembled, whom the chief
addressed, urging them to bring such provisions as were required.
They were entertained with various games, such as wrestling and
pugilistic matches. Some warriors engaged in a succession of single
combats, in which they fought with clubs. Cook, on landing, suspected
from the behaviour of the chiefs that something more than ordinary was
in agitation. In fact, friendly as they appeared, they had formed a
plot, instigated by Feenon, to massacre their visitors and take
possession of their ships, as they did some years afterwards of the
vessel in which Mr Mariner sailed. Fortunately, disputes arose amongst
the conspirators, and they either abandoned or put off their design.
Feenon, notwithstanding his intended treachery, accompanied their other
visitors on board ship, and dined with the captain. Afterwards he sent
a present of two large hogs, some yams, and a considerable quantity of
cloth. Notwithstanding this apparently friendly intercourse, the
natives, who came on board in considerable numbers, stole whenever they
had an opportunity. At length, to put a stop to this, Cook seized three
canoes which were alongside, and then going ashore with a strong guard,
and having found the King, his brother Feenon, and some other chiefs in
a house, immediately placed a guard over them, and made them understand
that until the things were returned they must remain under restraint.
This had the desired effect, and most of the articles were brought back.
Cook then invited the King and other chiefs to accompany him on board
to dinner. The King set the example, although the others at first
objected, and in a short time the remainder of the things were brought
back.
Cook remained at the Tonga Islands for nearly three months. Having left
with them several useful animals and various seeds, he sailed on the
17th of July for Otaheite. Here Omai found several relatives, who
showed him little affection until he presented them with some coloured
plumes and other treasures he had brought. Cook here induced his crew
to take cocoa-nut liquor in exchange for part of their allowance of
spirits, with beneficial results. Omai showed his true character by
associating with the lower orders of the people; and had not Cook
interfered, he would have given everything he possessed away to his
worthless companions. Some horses had been brought out, on two of which
the captains rode daily over the plains of Matavai, to the great
astonishment of the natives, who on all occasions assembled to witness
this, to them, extraordinary feat.
Leaving Otaheite, Cook the next day landed at Eimeo, where one of the
goats he carried to stock their islands was stolen. It was not until
several war canoes and six or eight huts had been burnt that the natives
restored the missing animal.
On the 12th of October, he anchored at Huaheine, where it was arranged
that Omai was to be left, though he himself wished to settle at Ulietea,
where his father had possessed some land, which he hoped to be able to
recover through the means of the English. He was very indignant on
finding that the captain would not consent to do this, but was at last
reconciled to the plan proposed for him. The grant of a piece of land
being obtained from the chief, a house was built, a garden stocked, and
the young savage was sent on shore with various firearms, toys, a
portable organ, an electrical machine, fireworks, with other things, as
well as a horse and a mare, a boar and sow, and a male and female kid.
Being thus established, it was hoped that with these advantages he would
be able to maintain himself, and instruct the islanders in some of the
arts of civilisation. He exhibited the deepest grief when he was at
length landed, and would gladly have remained with his friends.
How different was the conduct of Omai to that which was expected!
Abandoning his European dress, he quickly sank into idleness,
barbarously employing his firearms either to assist the chief in his
wars or to shoot those of his countrymen who had offended him. In three
years he died, despised even by the savages it was supposed that he
would have improved.
At Otaheite, where Cook afterwards touched, three or four of his people
having deserted, several members of the chief's family were seized and
kept as hostages until they should be delivered up. Oreo, the chief,
fearing that the runaways might not be discovered, formed a plot to
seize the captain and some of his principal officers; but, as they
wisely took care not to put themselves in his power, this was prevented,
and fortunately the deserters were discovered and brought on board.
Bolabola was the next island visited, for the purpose of recovering an
anchor which had been lost by Bougainville at Otaheite, and brought here
as a tribute to its warlike inhabitants; Cook's object being to
manufacture it into iron tools to trade with. It was easily obtained
from the chief Opoony for some axes and other articles.
Cook here landed, as at other places, goats and hogs, in hopes that the
archipelago would in a few years be stocked with all the valuable
domestic animals of Europe. Sailing from Bolabola on the 8th of
December, he steered northward, and on the 24th saw a low island, of
barren appearance, to which the name of "Christmas Island" was given.
It was uninhabited, though nearly twenty leagues in circumference. No
fresh water could be found here, but three hundred green turtles were
taken.
On the 18th of January, 1778, an island appeared north-east by east, and
soon after another was seen bearing north, and the next day a third, in
a west-north-west direction. From the second some men came off to the
ships in a canoe. They were of a brown colour, but the features of many
differed little from those of Europeans. As the vessels steered along
the coast, several villages were seen, and the inhabitants brought off
pigs and fine potatoes. From the looks of amazement with which they
regarded the ships and everything on board, it was evident that they
were unused to European visitors; at the same they exhibited remarkable
intelligence. On rowing ashore with three armed boats and a party of
marines, the instant Cook landed, the natives fell flat on their faces,
until by expressive signs he prevailed upon them to rise. They had
brought a number of small pigs, which they presented on plantain-leaves,
one of the party making a long speech. The people willingly assisted
the sailors in rolling the casks to and from the watering-place, and
made no attempt to cheat or steal.
To this group, now first visited by civilised man, the name of the
"Sandwich Islands" was given, in compliment to the First Lord of the
Admiralty. On leaving these islands,--destined to be so fatal to the
discoverer,--the ships steered for New Albion, which had been visited by
Drake. After tacking on and off the shore for several days, they put
into a harbour, which received the title of "Hope Bay." The morning
afterwards three canoes, shaped like Norway yawls, came off from a
village, and a man, dressed in the skin of an animal, with a rattle in
each hand, make a long speech. Others followed, and one of the party
sang a pleasant air in a soft tone. When the voyagers moved to a safer
anchorage, a large number of inhabitants made their appearance. They
willingly supplied the ships with such provisions as they possessed, but
would receive nothing but brass in return, and all brass articles to be
found on board were bartered away. Nearly a month was passed in
uninterrupted friendship among these savages. The inlet was called
"Nootka Sound," from the native name.
Again putting to sea on the 4th of May, Mount Saint Elias was seen.
Nine days afterwards the ships came to an anchor in a bay, on which was
bestowed the name of "Prince William's Sound." The most remarkable
feature of some of the inhabitants on its shores was a slit through the
lower lip, parallel with the mouth, through which were worn pieces of
carved bone. Sometimes the natives would remove this bone, and thrust
out their tongues from the opening, which had a most hideous effect.
After examining an inlet, which it was hoped would lead round the north
coast of America, the vessels sailed south-west round the promontory of
Alaska. At length the discoverers reached the entrance to Behring's
Straits, although not aware at the time of the fact. About the 9th, the
most westerly point of America was reached, to which the name of Cape
Prince of Wales was given. On the same evening the coast of Asia came
in view, and on the following morning the ships anchored in a harbour of
the Tschutski territories. Here the natives, though alarmed, made their
visitors profound bows. A few days after this the ships encountered a
dense field of ice, extending across their course as far as the eye
could reach. To proceed farther was impossible, and the ships' heads
were therefore turned to the southward. Coasting the shores of Asia,
Cook anchored off Oonalaska. Here the natives were most inoffensive.
Their stature was low, their necks short, their faces swarthy and
chubby; whilst they had black eyes and small beards. Their houses were
large oblong pits, covered with a roof thatched with grass and earth.
A few days after the arrival of the ships, the Captains were surprised
by a present of a salmon pie, baked in flour, and a note in Russian,
which was delivered to them by two natives. John Ledyard, a corporal of
marines, afterwards known as a traveller, volunteered to proceed with
the messengers and discover who had sent the gift. In two days he
returned with three Russian traders, and shortly afterwards Mr
Ismyloff, the principal person in the island, arrived. Through him Cook
transmitted to the Admiralty a letter enclosing a chart of his
discoveries. Intending to make another attempt to find the
long-sought-for passage, Cook returned to the Sandwich Islands. On the
26th of November he discovered Mowee, lying farther west than the
islands before visited, and on the evening of the 30th a much larger
island to windward, called Owhyhee or Hawaii. Several weeks were passed
in sailing round this island in search of a harbour. At length the
ships came to an anchor, on the morning of January 17th, 1779, in
Karakavoa. Here a vast number of people were assembled to witness, to
them, the so novel spectacle. Multitudes came off in canoes, crowding
into the ships, many hundreds swimming round like shoals of fish, and
the shores were thronged with eager spectators, who expressed their
pleasure in shouts, songs, and various extravagant motions. It was
supposed they fancied Captain Cook to be their god Rono, who after a
long absence had returned to their island. At the time this he of
course did not know, or he would not have received the worship paid to
him. No sooner was the _Resolution_ moored, than two chiefs came,
accompanied by a priest named Koah, who approached the captain with much
veneration, and threw over his shoulders a piece of red cloth, and then
made an offering to him of a small pig, and landing, they conducted him
to a Morai or temple, where he was presented in due form to their idols,
arranged on a platform within it.
After various other ceremonies, the priest presented him with a large
live pig and a piece of red cloth, and the men who brought it prostrated
themselves before him. He now descended from the platform, and led the
captain before a number of other images, each of which he addressed in a
sneering tone, snapping his fingers at it until he came to the centre,
when he threw himself before it and kissed it, requesting the captain to
do the same, who throughout had suffered himself to be directed by the
priest Koah. After this, a feast having been prepared, the two captains
were fed by the priests.
After distributing some presents, the captains returned, being conducted
to the boats by men bearing wands, the people falling down before them
as they walked along the beach. It is sad to reflect that a man of
judgment and intelligence should have submitted to this idolatrous
worship. Captain Cook probably expected that by yielding to the
natives, he should obtain greater facilities for trading and keeping up
amicable relations with them. After this the King Terreeoboo, with his
wife and child, came on board. He had previously paid the _Resolution_
a visit, when the ships were off Mowee. The following day he came in
state, he and his chiefs dressed in rich feathered cloaks, and armed
with long spears and helmets. In the second canoe sat the chief
priests, with idols of wicker-work of gigantic size, covered with
feathers of different colours and pieces of red cloth. Their eyes were
large pearl-oysters, and their mouths were marked with double rows of
dogs' fangs, giving them a hideous appearance.
When Cook returned the visit the King threw a superb cloak over his
shoulders, and placed a crown of feathers on his head, spreading six
other cloaks at his feet, of great beauty, while his attendants brought
four hogs, sugar-canes, and cocoa-nuts. After this the ships sailed,
but, meeting with very bad weather, were compelled to put back into
Karakavoa. On their return it was observed by some of those on board
that a change had taken place in the minds of some of the natives.
Instead, however, of trying to win back the people by gentle means,
force was resorted to directly any offence was committed. Some of the
people having stolen several articles from the _Discovery_, were trying
to escape, when she opened fire upon them. The articles were returned,
but an officer on shore not knowing this, seized a canoe belonging to
one of the chiefs, who, in a squabble, was afterwards knocked down.
Captain Cook, also ignorant of what had taken place, followed the
supposed thieves into the interior, although he returned unmolested.
The next day the _Discovery's_ cutter was carried off, and Captain Cook,
in order to recover it, resolved to seize the King. With this object he
landed, carrying with him his double-barrelled gun, accompanied by Mr
Phillips and nine marines. Mr King ordered the marines to keep their
pieces loaded, and to be on their guard. He then, going to the huts of
the priests, endeavoured to quiet their alarm. Captain Cook in the
meantime reached the old King's house, and persuaded him to come on
board; but as they were embarking one of his wives came down and induced
him to give up his intention. A vast number of armed men now began to
collect, and Captain Cook, seeing that matters were growing serious,
considered how he might best prevent bloodshed, and endeavoured to draw
off his party.
Meantime the boats stationed in the bay had fired at some canoes, and a
chief of high rank had been killed. The hostile natives soon heard of
this. Mr Phillips, on seeing the state of affairs, had withdrawn his
men to some rocks close to the water. The anger of the natives being
excited, they now began to throw stones, and one of them threatened
Captain Cook with his dagger. In defence he fired one of his barrels,
loaded with small shot. He then discharged the other, and a man was
killed. The marines had now begun to fire, and Captain Cook had turned
round either to order them to cease or to summon the boat, when a savage
struck him on the back with a large club, and he fell forward on his
hands and knees, letting his fowling-piece drop. A chief next plunged
his dagger into his back, and he fell into the water, the natives who
crowded round preventing him from rising.
From that moment nothing more was seen of him. The natives rushing on,
four of the marines were killed before they could reach the boats;
another was saved by the gallantry of Lieutenant Phillips, who, though
wounded himself, leapt overboard, and dragged the man who was struggling
in the water into the pinnace.
Lieutenant King had remained near the observatory with a party of his
men. Though the natives attacked him, he drove them off, and they at
last willingly agreed to a truce. He afterwards tried to obtain the
body of his captain, and in a few days some human flesh was brought off
by a man, who said that this was all that remained, the head, bones, and
hands being in possession of the King. With the exception of the head
the greater portion of the remainder was subsequently brought on board,
and they being placed in a coffin, were committed to the deep with the
usual naval honours.
So angered were the crews of the two ships at the loss of the captain,
that it was with the greatest difficulty the officers could restrain
them from hurrying on shore and wreaking their vengeance on the heads of
the natives.
Thus died Captain Cook in the fifty-first year of his age, surpassed by
none as a seaman, and was probably equalled by few as a marine surveyor
and draughtsman; while, if he was at times hasty, he was kind-hearted
and humane, and possessed the important power of attaching both officers
and men to his person. Captain Clerke, who succeeded to the command,
made peace with the chiefs, many of whom came on board expressing their
sorrow at what had happened, while the natives brought off provisions as
usual. Indeed, as the ships sailed away they expressed every mark of
affection and good-will.
Two other islands of the group, Woakoo and Atooi, were visited, when the
natives behaved in the same friendly way as elsewhere. After this, on
the 12th of March, the ships sailed for Behring's Straits, in search of
a passage into the Atlantic.
Captain Clerke, who had been suffering for some time from consumption,
was evidently fast sinking, but he still persevered in his undertaking.
On the 28th of April the harbour of Saint Peter and Saint Paul was
reached. The Russian inhabitants, on finding that the explorers were
English, treated them with the greatest possible kindness, and through
Major Behin, the Governor of Bolcheretsk, Captain Clerke sent home an
account of the proceedings of the expedition, with that of the death of
Captain Cook. Both ships, after passing through Behring's Straits,
encountered an icy barrier, against which the _Discovery_ was nearly
lost.
Every effort having been made in vain, Captain Clerke resolved to
return. Before the ships again anchored in the harbour of Saint Peter
and Saint Paul he had breathed his last. He was there buried on some
ground on which it was intended to raise a church. The command of the
expedition now devolved on Captain Gore, who went on board the
_Resolution_, while Lieutenant King took charge of the _Discovery_.
That ship, on being examined, was found to have suffered seriously from
the ice. It seemed surprising, indeed, from the injuries she had
received, that she had kept afloat.
She was repaired as far as possible, some time being spent in these
necessary operations, as also in exchanging civilities between the
officers of the Russian garrison and the English.
The ships sailed on the 9th of October, and steered a course for Macao.
While in Behring's Straits sea-otter and other skins had been obtained;
these realised altogether upwards of two thousand pounds. The report of
the high prices obtained on the return home of the expedition, probably
set on foot the fur trade with the west coast of North America, which
afterwards became of such considerable importance. Here Captain Gore
heard that war had broken out between England and France; but soon
afterwards, being informed that the commanders of the French ships had
been directed to treat the expedition under Captain Cook as belonging to
a neutral power, he put to sea, resolved to preserve the strictest
neutrality during the remainder of the voyage.
Touching at several places in the Indian seas, the ships at length
reached Cape Town, where they were treated with the same kindness as on
former visits. Sailing thence on the 9th of May, they made the coast of
Ireland on the 12th of August. Strong southerly winds compelling them
to run to the northward, they rounded Scotland, and at length, on the
4th of October, arrived at the Nore, after an absence of four years, two
months, and twenty-two days.
It is remarkable that during this time the two ships only twice, for a
short time, lost sight of each other.
Owing to the admirable arrangements for preserving health, during the
whole time the _Resolution_ had lost only five men by sickness, three of
whom were ill when she left England, while the _Discovery_ had not lost
a man.
Although one of the objects of the expedition had failed, that of
finding a way through Behring's Straits round the north coast of
America, during this and his previous voyages Cook had made far more
discoveries than any previous navigator. He had surveyed the whole
eastern coast of New Holland, and proved it to be an island, as also
that of New Zealand. He had discovered New Caledonia, and surveyed the
islands of the New Hebrides, and other islands in the Austral Ocean. He
had made known the Marquesas and Tonga group, and completed the survey
of the Society Islands. He had succeeded in finding Easter Island, had
visited the groups of the low archipelago, and had discovered numerous
separate islands,--Norfolk, Botany, Palmerston, Hervey, Savage, Mangaia,
Wateeoo, Allakootaia, Turtle, Toobania, and Christmas, as also the
magnificent group known as the Sandwich Islands. He had ascertained the
strait between America and Asia to be eighteen leagues in width.
It was not until many years after that any navigator penetrated as far
north as he had done. In the Antarctic Ocean he had brought to light
Sandwich Land, settled the position of Kerguelen's Land, as also of Isla
Grande, on which he justly prided himself; and his survey of the
southern shore of Tierra del Fuego was long unsurpassed, while he
rendered the greatest service to the cause of humanity by the way he
maintained the health of his crews. During all previous expeditions
numbers of the men had perished. During his long and protracted voyage
he lost none by scurvy, and very few from any other disease.
The nation, grateful to him, bestowed a pension of two hundred pounds a
year on his wife, and each of his children had twenty-five pounds a year
settled on them, though the latter did not live long to enjoy it. Three
died in infancy. Another, a midshipman, was lost on board the
_Thunderer_. The second, intended for the ministry, died at Oxford, in
the seventeenth year of his age; and the eldest, who became a commander,
was drowned while attempting to get on board his ship off Poole during a
gale of wind. His widow survived until the year 1835, when, she died at
the age of ninety-three.