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Image 2841
73 visits
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Image 2842
70 visits
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Image 2843
70 visits
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Image 2844
57 visits
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Image 2845
69 visits
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Image 2846
61 visits
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Image 2847
73 visits
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Image 2848
72 visits
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Image 2849
65 visits
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Image 2850
77 visits
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Image 2851
77 visits
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His choice fell upon James Cook, who was cordially recommended by Sir Hugh Palliser, and to him therefore the command of the Endeavour was given, whilst he was at the same time raised to the `rank` of ship's lieutenant.
Cook was now forty years of age. This was his first appointment in the Royal Navy. The mission entrusted to him called for varied qualifications, rarely to be met with in a sailor. For, although the observation of the transit of Venus was the principal object of the voyage, it was by no means the only one. Cook was also to make a voyage of discovery in the Pacific Ocean. But the humbly born Yorkshire lad was destined to prove himself equal to his task.
91 visits
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Image 2853
75 visits
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Image 2854
63 visits
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Image 2855
78 visits
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Head-dresses of natives of Tahiti
106 visits
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Image 2857
72 visits
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Image 2858
77 visits
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Image 2859
72 visits
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Image 2860
75 visits
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Image 2861
76 visits
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Image 2862
79 visits
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Image 2863
80 visits
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Image 2864
83 visits
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Image 2865
86 visits
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Image 2866
75 visits
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Image 2867
79 visits
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New Zealand war canoe
119 visits
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Image 2869
74 visits
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Image 2870
78 visits
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Image 2871
76 visits
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Image 2872
77 visits
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Image 2873
79 visits
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On the morning of the 26th, the captain, who had been to Oparrée with some of his officers, to make a formal visit to the king, observed a fleet of more than 300 pirogues, drawn up in order on the shore. They were all completely equipped. At the same time a number of warriors assembled on the beach.
The officers' suspicions were excited by this formidable armament, collected in one night, but they were reassured by the welcome they received.
This fleet consisted of no less than sixty large double pirogues, decorated with flags and streamers, and 170 smaller ones, intended for the transport of provisions, and the flotilla was manned with no fewer than 7760 men, warriors or paddlers.
100 visits
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Tahitian flute-player
110 visits
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Tatooed head of a New Zealander
66 visits
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Image 2877
75 visits
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Image 2878
68 visits
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Image 2879
74 visits
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Image 2880
83 visits
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Cook next penetrated Torres Strait, which he called Endeavour Strait, discovered and named the Wallis Islands, situated in the middle of the south-west entrance to Booby Island, and Prince of Wales Island, and steered for the southern coast of New Guinea, which he followed until the 3rd of September without being able to land.
Upon that day Cook landed with about eleven well-armed men, amongst them Solander, Banks, and his servants. They were scarcely a quarter of a mile from their ship, when three Indians emerged from the wood, uttering piercing cries, and rushed at the English.
104 visits
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Cook was now forty years of age. This was his first appointment in the Royal Navy. The mission entrusted to him called for varied qualifications, rarely to be met with in a sailor. For, although the observation of the transit of Venus was the principal object of the voyage, it was by no means the only one. Cook was also to make a voyage of discovery in the Pacific Ocean. But the humbly born Yorkshire lad was destined to prove himself equal to his task.
Whilst the Endeavour was being equipped, her crew of eighty-four men chosen, her store of eighteen months' provision embarked, her ten guns and twelve swivel guns, with the needful ammunition, shipped, Captain Wallis arrived in England. He had accomplished his voyage round the world. He was consulted as to the best spot for the observation of the transit of Venus, and he selected an island which he had discovered, and which was named by him after George III. It was later known by its native name of Tahiti. From this spot therefore Cook was to take observations.
97 visits
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Typical natives of the Sandwich Islands
118 visits
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The year 1768 opened for the adventurers in Fortescue Bay, below which is Port Galant, the plan of which had been taken with great exactitude by M. de Gennes. Detestable weather, of which the worst winter in Paris can give no idea, detained the French expedition for three weeks. It was visited by a band of Pecheians, the inhabitants of Tierra del Fuego, who boarded the ship.
"We made them sing," says the narrative, "dance, listen to instruments, and above all eat. Everything was pleasant to them, bread, salt meat, tallow, they devoured everything that was given them. "
112 visits
