Captain Cook: The Seaman's Seaman - A study of the great discoverer [Classic Biography] - Softcover

Alan, Villiers

Softcover

ISBN 10: 014139062X ISBN 13: 9780141390628

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 2001

Synopsis

James Cook began his seafaring career in the 'coal cats' of the North Sea trade. He served in the Royal Navy, playing a major part in the capture of Quebec during the Seven Year's war. Appointed to HMS Endeavour - a collier bark - he led an expedition to Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand and Batavia. His second voyage in HMS Resolution took him far south to the Antarctic while his third great voyage, also in the Resolution, bore him to his violent death in Hawaii. This book explores not only Captain Cook's monumental achievements as an explorer, but also gives him great credit as a seaman of inspired efficiency and enterprise, pioneering trade routes, charting the seas and dispelling the cloud of the unknown for seamen of all time.

About this title

Synopsis:

The most important explorer of his day, Captain James Cook's coat of arms carries the motto: "He left nothing unattempted". During three major voyages, first in HMS "Endeavour" and subsequently in HMS "Resolution", Cook added many new places to the world map, including the islands of Hawaii. He charted the coast of New Zealand, and the east coast of Australia, conducted important astronomical observations, witnessing the transit of Venus from Tahiti, and began the search for a north-west passage from the Pacific side. But perhaps Cook's achievement as a seaman is greater than his achievement as a discoverer. With huge energy and enterprise, he pioneered trade routes and skilfully mapped the seas, thus dispelling the cloud of the unknown for his fellow seamen. Alan Villiers's biography reveals the many talents and qualities of the young man who began work on the "coal cats" of the North Sea trade and went on to become the greatest Pacific explorer of all time.

About the Author:

Born in 1903, Alan Villiers was a prolific author, writing dozens of books, mainly on maritime subjects.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 014139062X
• ISBN 13: 9780141390628
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256