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First Pacific Voyage

Cook's First Voyage to the Pacific

James Cook was appointed to command a ship called Endeavour, which left Plymouth on 26 August, 1768.
A list of what Cook was up to preparing for this voyage and during the voyage can be found in Paul Capper's list of First Voyage dates.
Links to information about the ship, the people, and what happened during the voyage can be found below.

Endeavour
Only vessel on Cook's First Voyage. Not a ship but a Bark.

The People in Endeavour During Cook's First Voyage
Information about the 95 people who sailed in Endeavour,

Magnetic Observations on Cook’s First Voyage
The influence of Edmond Halley on James Cook

Tupaia's Chart of the Pacific
History of an Idea about Tupaia’s Chart

Captain Cook and St. Helena
Captain Cook called in at St. Helena on the return leg of his first world voyage from 1st to 5th May, 1771

Endeavour’s Lightning Strike
The evidence and circumstances around Endeavour being struck by lightning

Muster records for the Royal Navy ships of James Cook
The crew of the ships in which James Cook sailed

January - March, 1768
At the beginning of January 1768, James Cook, Master of Grenville, was preparing to return to Newfoundland to undertake another season’s survey.
In March, Endeavour was chosen for a voyage to the Pacific.

April - June, 1768
Cook was appointed to Endeavour to prepare her for a voyage to observe the Transit of Venus from somewhere in the Pacific.

July - September 1768
Endeavour left Deptford on 21 July, arriving at Plymouth on 14 August.
She sailed from there on 25 August, arriving at Madeira on 12 September.
Meanwhile, at home a son, Joseph Cook, was born.

October - December 1768
Endeavour sailed south along the Atlantic Ocean, arriving at Rio de Janeiro on 13 November.
She left on 7 December, continuing her journey to Cape Horn.

January - March 1769
Endeavour arrived off the coast of Tierra del Fuego, anchored at the Bay of Success, and headed for Tahiti.

April - June 1769
Endeavour was at Tahiti, where the Transit of Venus was observed.

July - September 1769
Endeavour sailed from Tahiti, around the Society Islands,
then headed south in search of the Southern Continent

October - December 1769
Endeavour arrived at New Zealand, and sailed along most of the east coast of the North Island

January - March 1770
Endeavour sailed along the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand,
and then around the whole of the South Island

April - June 1770
Endeavour sailed along the east coast of Australia from Point Hicks to Endeavour River

July - September 1770
After a stay at Endeavour River, Endeavour sailed up the east coast of Australia,
touched at New Guinea and Savu, then sailed for Batavia (Jakarta)

October - December 1770
During October to December 1770, Endeavour was being repaired at Batavia (Jakarta)

January - March 1771
Endeavour sailed across the Indian Ocean to the Cape of Good Hope

April - June 1771
Endeavour sailed from Cape Town, called at St Helena, passed Ascension
and continued northwards up the Atlantic Ocean towards England.

July - September 1771
Endeavour arrived back in England.
James Cook, Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander left her at Deal, whilst she sailed on to Woolwich.