Captain James Cook

Born

Oct 27, 1728

James Cook was born in the Yorkshire village of Marton, England. He was born to a poor Scotsman who had moved to Marton to work as a farmhand

First expeience at sea

Jan 1, 1746

Joined as a sailor on a coal transport ship

Offered captaincy

Jan 1, 1748

James Cook was offered captaincy as he was a naturally taleted sailor. He declined

Joined the Royal Navy

Jan 1, 1755

Joined the Royal Navy in 1775

Pembroke

Jan 1, 1757

Became captain of his own ship in the Royal Navy. His ship was named the Pembroke

Finding New Zealand

Dec 13, 1769

Captain Cook never discovered New Zealand. He circumnavigated it, charted it and claimed it for Great Britain.

Found Australia

Apr 19, 1770

Captain Cook found a whole new land (east side) which turned out to be Australia.

First time to cross the Antarctic circle

Jan 17, 1773

Thick and numerous pack ice prevented him and the other two ships from going further. They came just past the Antarctic circle, but then had to turn back.

Second time crossing the Antarctic cicle

Jan 30, 1774

Captain Cook returned and came within just 75 miles Antarctica was once again stopped by packed ice. This was the closest to the South Pole any known person had ever been

Death

Feb 14, 1779

Cook got shot while fighting a group of Hawaiian locals. He died at Kealakekua bay off the shore of Hawaii. He was 51.