James Wallis sailed as carpenter in Resolution during Cook’s Second Voyage.  Wallis joined at Deptford on 3 December, 1771, before the ship’s name was changed from Drake to Resolution.  His appointment was listed as “James Wallace to be carpenter of Drake”.¹

During the voyage, Cook wrote at New Caledonia, in September 1774, “My Carpenter who is a Mast-maker as well as a Ship-wright, two professions he learnt in Deptford Yard concequently acquainted with all the various sorts of Timber and their uses in Shiping, is of opinion that these trees [New Caledonia pines] would make exceeding good Masts”.² 

A few days later, at Norfolk Island, in October 1774, Cook wrote, “My Carpenter tells me that the wood [Norfolk Island pines] is exactly of the same nature as the Quebeck Pines”.³ 

More routine matters also involved Wallis.  On 1 May, 1774, Cook wrote to him, “Whereas there is a want of Grapnells [need for some grapnels] for the boats belonging to His Majesty’s Sloop under my Command, You are hereby requir’d and directed to cause two to be made out of the Iron you have on Charge, and to supply the Boatswain therewith, taking his receipt for the same, and for so doing this shall be your Order”.⁴ 

After sailing with Cook, Wallis joined HMS Firm as carpenter on 6 October, 1775.  He continued to serve in the Royal Navy, both as a carpenter on board ships and as a shipwright at Deptford Dockyard.  An entry for “James Wallis, carpenter” appears in the lists for “Warrants or commissions for service at this rank in the Royal Navy” for 1779,⁵ and 1781.⁶ 

Wallis was a carpenter in HMS Warrior when she sailed in January 1782 from Portsmouth to the Caribbean.  He gave evidence in a court case involving officers of that ship.  Warrior took part in the Battle of the Saintes off Dominica in April 1782.  He was invalided out at Jamaica in July 1782, and returned to Britain.  He joined HMS Orion in 1783 as carpenter, according to the lists for “Warrants or commissions for service at this rank in the Royal Navy” for 1783,⁷ and 1788.⁸ 

Wallis became a superannuated carpenter of a third-rate ship on 24 October, 1803.  He died aged 90 on 5 May, 1833, in Deptford.⁹  His death was recorded in the Gentleman’s Magazine.¹⁰ 

James Wallis was born about 1743.  He married Judith Tuckness on 8 March, 1772, at St. Mary Magdalene, Bermondsey, when Resolution was still at Deptford.  Judith Wallis (born 1747) died in 1801.  Several of Judith’s relations were master shipwrights at Deptford dockyard. 

Upon marrying, they already had a son, Thomas Wallis, who was baptised in February 1771.  They then had the following children: Charlotte Wallis (1776-1776) (after Resolution’s return); Joseph Wallis (1780-1865); Nathaniel Barnaby Wallis (1783-1784); Henry Tuckness Wallis (1788-1788).

John Robson

References

1. Navy Board to Admiralty.  27 November, 1771.  Reference ADM 3/79.  Held at The National Archives (TNA), Kew.
2. Beaglehole, J. C. (ed).  The Journals of Captain James Cook. Vol. II: The Voyage of the Resolution and the Adventure, 1772-1775.  Hakluyt Society.  1961.  Page 559. 
3. ibid.  Page 566. 
4. Reference ADM 106/1227/121.  TNA. 
5. Reference ADM 6/22/55.  TNA. 
6. Reference ADM 6/22/374.  TNA. 
7. Reference ADM 6/23/45.  TNA. 
8. Reference ADM 6/23/449.  TNA. 
9. Notes on executor's application for money owed by the Royal Navy.  Reference ADM 45/3/549.  TNA.
10. The Gentleman’s Magazine and Historical Chronicle.  For July 1833.  Published August 1833.  Page 91. 

Originally published in Cook's Log, page 15, volume 47, number 4 (2024).